7.6 pounds...

...is how much weight I've lost being on weight watchers after 1 month. I am creeping back into a healthy weight range again!

I'm already planning out what I'm going to reward myself with once I reach my goal. Here are some of the lovely things I've found:

 picture wearing this dress + this hat on the beach...

  with one of these swim suits:

 

or maybe this dress... (can you tell I'm in to navy blue right now?)

Or this?

All of this... plus I would love to be relaxing on a beach like this:

This part definitely won't happen anytime soon, but I still like to pretend it will.

What do you think? Or maybe I should just get it all? I wouldn't mind that.

P.S. Despite all of your votes (and the constant begging from me, Katherine, and Ted), my parents decided that they didn't really want to go to London that much. So, they're leaning towards an Alaskan cruise. I can wear all of these things in Alaska, right?

She's here!

After 18 months Katherine (Sister Goodell) has returned from the Oklahoma City mission.

We had to go to the airport at the crack of dawn to pick her up... so we went and waited....

 and waited..... (see how tired we were?)

nope, nothing yet. But this man has the best escalator pose I've ever seen. 

 And finally at long last...

Tears of joy.

 She is happy to be home, and we are happy to have her home! 

After a reunion at the airport, she was released as a missionary and then we went to my Grandpa Dan's where he made us a wonderful breakfast.

My Grandpa Dan's breakfasts are famous. There's always lots of fruit, eggs made to order, and ham or bacon, biscuits, pancakes, basically everything. 

That night (after we all took naps) we went to Cafe Rio because Katherine has been deprived for 18 months and we tried to get her to watch a movie... but it didn't happen. :) We'll ease her into it I suppose. 

We are so glad she had a great time on her mission and that she returned home safely! In the mean time, we will both catch up on all the shopping we need to do together. 

16 hours and counting...

My sister will be home in less than 24 hours! I can't believe it's already been 18 months.



I'll be sure to post some pictures. :)

(and keep changing her facebook status while I still can....) 

2 year anniversary!

Yup, you heard me right. Can you believe it's already been two years?? Sometimes its hard for me to believe.

This year we were supposed to go up to Park City for a lovely evening out.... but I'm sick. Have been for 3 days now so walking around Park City doesn't sound that great to me. We'll probably go out next weekend instead (and katherine will be home!).

So, here I am... I was probably thinking about how it was freezing outside.

Here are a few things I remember most about that day:

1. Steven's uncle Dean (who set us up) giving me a hug after the ceremony and saying, "You owe me big time." Why is this the first thing I remember? I don't know.

2. The AMAZING - not even exaggerating - food. The stuffed mushrooms, coconut shrimp, oh my gosh. It was incredible. I wish I could go back in time JUST so I could eat the food again.

3. Speaking of food... I never had a taste of the hot chocolate that I pretty much insisted on having there. I need to go back and have some of that cocoa. 

4. Steven and I sitting inside of the temple before the ceremony. Very peaceful.

5. Seeing Darcie when we first got to the temple. This made me feel less nervous! (thanks for being early Darcie)  :)

6. All of it really turned out great. My "chocolate and roses" idea came to life perfectly and everyone (especially my mom) made it look so pretty.

7. If I could change onnnnnne thing..... it would probably be my dress. I would've ordered a size larger and I would've had more lace. lots and lots of lace. 

Happy Anniversary Steven! Thanks for being a wonderful husband! :)

oh children...

Kids say/do the funniest things that make my day, like:

Dressing up as a police officer while singing the Darth Vadar theme music.

Singing Beyonce, "All the single ladies, all the single ladies!" on his way to the table for center time. (I know I shouldn't pick favorites, but he is most definitely my favorite)

"Ms. Annie, you es looooocccaaa!!!"

(After asking someone to wipe the paint they spilled on the floor) "Yeah, sure Ms. Annie, I can do that for you."

"Yeah... I have a coat at home, but I forgot it. I like your and Ms. Rose's coats better."

Oh cute kids... while I definitely don't want to be a teacher, I sure love spending time with these guys. I will be sad when the year is over.

Chocolate

So... I started weight watchers last week as an attempt to teach myself better eating habits. So far, it's going pretty well. My stomach hurts less, I'm not mindlessly snacking all the time, I'm starting to like plain vegetables, things are good.

But... I will admit... I am dying to eat something chocolate and sweet ALL the time. So I've been spending much of my free time checking out recipes on Martha Stewart, Pioneer Woman, etc. Since I can't eat it, I can just dream about it, right?

I kinda want some of this:

 and some of this....

and maybe a few of these....

not chocolate, but still delicious.

Why am I torturing myself? I don't know. This will get easier after a few more weeks, right?