Day 1 of 90

I have been wanting to get a gym membership for quite sometime now. For years actually but Paul said the only way I could get one is if I had someone I could go work out with. Which is understandable to give you the motivation to go. Because lets be honest having a workout buddy is so much better than working out alone. Someone to help drive you and keep you going when you feel like quitting because it's getting a little hard. Well I heard about these 3 month fitness works passes for $20 and asked my friend Liesl if she was interested in getting one with me. She said yes and in fact I think it was her nephew who sold them to us for a fundraiser. Anywho tonight was my first time in a gym in 4 years. And lets be honest I have kind of become a couch potato ever since I got married. Liesl on the other hand is a certified trainer which is great for me since my workout buddy can seriously give me some direction since I have NO CLUE what I am doing. Today we started out by doing warm up cardio. Ten minutes in the elliptical Sp? Then we did some squat things while holding weights in our hands. We did 3 different exercises 20 reps each 3 times. She was good enough to complete them all but I seriously couldn't do that many so I probably did about half that. I was really pretty embarrassed that I was that out of shape and I felt like my legs were going to collapse underneath me at any given moment. We then moved over to the machines and did 3 different exercises on the leg press with 12 reps each 3 times. I felt a little better with that one. We then did 15 min cool down cardio. I chose to do the bike over the elliptical since my legs were so wobbly and weak I didnt want my legs to give out on that machine. It felt really good to get back into a gym and I really felt a sense of accomplishment. After high school my friend tony was a trainer too and I would work out with him everyday for about 2 hours and I loved it. I hope I enjoy it this time around because tonight whooped my butt and I feel like I hardly did anything. I just kept thinking how in the world do the people on the biggest loser do this! I would die if I was ever on the show. So, I guess this little 3 month pass will be a good trial run for a real membership someday.

January

I figure I haven't blogged much for the month of January and it's going to be over here pretty soon. We really haven't been up to very much. Paul has been doing work over at my parents house doing some remodeling so most of our days are spent over at their house playing while Paul works. He also was working with his brother one week, and painting another brothers house which he still needs to finish. I feel very blessed this past month that Paul has had enough work to keep him busy. It has been pretty rough the past while and I am really hoping that he will be able to have enough work to keep him busy for a while and supply us with enough money to pay our bills.
Other than Paul working, and me trying to convince my parents of ways that I think they should remodel their house (which consumes my thoughts way too much. I guess I'm living vicariously through their remodeling wishing I was doing it for my own house. Ha if I even had a house that I could remodel. Someday...) We haven't done much. Besides Morgan getting into the 2 year old stage of throwing tantrums and crying if she doesn't get her way, we had friends over one night and I did 2 little photo shoots for my friend that just got married. It was fun doing the engagements and then my first time ever Bridal shoot. A little intimidating. I also did a nail party for another friends little sisters birthday party. That was a great way for me to earn some extra money. I also went and checked out a cosmetology school a few weeks ago. I was considering going back since I only have 640 hours left and could finish in about 5 months but I just feel like right now isn't the best time financially. Even with financial aid I would still have to pay around 3 grand to go and I don't feel comfortable taking out loans with the way our income has been. Unsteady... Lets see what else...This past weekend it was my friend Krystina's birthday. Well actually its today... Anyways My friend Whitney and I took her out to the Cheesecake factory on Friday night. It was fun to get a little dressed up to go out with good friends and just eat good food, be away from kids for a couple hours, and have good adult conversation. I feel like that doesn't happen often enough...
Next month Is going to be pretty busy with birthdays. We have Paul's brother Nick's, his daughter, my mom, my brother and last but not least Asher's 1st birthday. I can't believe in one month he will be 1.I am still deciding on what I should do for his birthday but I still have a little while to figure it out. Hopefully my next post will be something a little bit more exciting. Until then!

Walking

My little boy took his first steps yesterday. It was so exciting to see his little feet move on and off of the ground. He only would take four steps before he would fall but I would say that is pretty good for the first day. I'm sure it will be a couple weeks or more before he is fully walking since he is a pretty cautious kid but i'm fine with that. We are just having fun watching him grow, learn and experience new things!

Sunshine

The other day while Paul was working at my parents I let the kids go and play out front in the grass. The weather was so nice and the sun was shining! They love to be outside but unfortunately our yard only has rock. It will be fun when spring rolls around and we can go play at the parks!

Sleepy Girl

It's amazing to me how kids can literally fall asleep doing anything, anywhere. I have always seen pictures of kids passed out while eating, and the other day Morgan experienced it first hand. We were just sitting there eating dinner and I look over at her and she was totally passed out while sitting up. I had to hurry and snap a picture before she fell out of the chair. She kept drifting over. My tired little girl sure did go to bed early that night.

New Years...

We had a pretty low key new years this year. Paul worked over at my parents some and then we went to Fuddruckers with the kids and my brother Brandon. We had a good time visiting and eating good food. Then we went on a trip to good ol Walmart to get some necessary ingredients for a good treat! Once we got home we got the sparklers out and let Morgan have some fun! She was a little nervous at first, but she soon got the hang of holding the sparklers and had a blast. We went through 3 packs of them. We then put the kids to bed and relaxed and watched a movie... I hope everyone had a good new years and we are excited to see what this year has to bring!

Christmas

This year we had a pretty low key Christmas. We generally have a little family Christmas party with Pauls family but because of wedding stuff we didn't have one this year; and we always do Christmas Eve with my family and have my Aunt Linda and her family over for dinner but both my kids were sick and all of my family as well so we decided to cancel it this year. Instead we hung out with Pauls family. His parents and brother Matt came over about 3:30 and we had Venizias party pizza for lunch and for those of you who don't know these pizzas are huge. The slices are a foot long and the pizza is two feet wide. After we were done eating Paul, Matt and his dad played called of duty for several hours and Pauline and I just hung out and took Morgan to the park. We decided it would be fun to go and see a movie so we went to see True Grit at the 8:00 showing hoping no one would really be there. Boy were we wrong. The theater was packed. I was seriously so nervous the whole time that it was going to be a disaster with the kids there. The last time we tried taking them to the movies it was a DISASTER! But that was about 6 months ago. Morgan fell asleep not long after the movie started and Asher fell asleep close to the end. He did pretty good but did get a little restless. He was tired and is used to just being layed in his crib to go to bed.
To be honest it really didn't feel much like Christmas this year. I think for me so much of the fun is going a getting gifts for people and this year we just didn't have the money to get each other gifts or the kids. On black friday my mom had given me some money to go out and get the kids some winter clothes for their christmas, and of course they got their gifts early so that they wouldn't freeze their bums off this winter. But with a little of the money she gave me I picked up a gift for Asher and one for Morgan at the Disney Store with the sale going on. So at least the kids had those two things to open up on christmas morning. Pauls parents gave the kids their gifts on Christmas eve. They each got two really cool books. Morgans was an I spy and I can't believe how good she does at finding everything.
Here is Morgan and Asher opening their gifts Christmas Morning! They are in their cute Christmas jammies that my parents gave them on Christmas eve. They also got to wear them to the movies. That might be a fun tradition!




Morgans new suitcase with a princess pillow and blanket for when she has sleepovers at Grandma and Grandpas house.
Asher playing with his new toy story figurines.
After we opening their gifts we got ready and headed over to Pauls Parents house for Christmas Lunch. We had a good Prime rib, potatoes, and green beans. The adults just sat around and talked while the kids played. We then went over to my to open up some presents. Most everyone got their presents in advance this year from my parents. Paul got some new hiking shoes and I got a new(but used, but new to me!) coffee table that matches my kitchen table and I love it. My dad also got me photoshop. I got their expecting to just open a couple gifts for morgan but to my surprise there was gifts for everyone. Morgan pretty much opening everyones gifts and she loved all of hers. I got a 3 tiered buffet server thing so I don't have to steal my moms anymore and some cash to go buy some new clothes with and paul got some emergency kit for the car or something like that and some cash for whatever and we also got some movies from my brother and of course paul got his call of duty black ops game. We really could not have been more blessed with the generosity of our families this year for Christmas. I am thankful every year for the gifts both our parents gave us but I think the fact that this year we could not afford any gifts it made them even more special.
Morgan conked out after playing hard with her cousins.


Poor Asher got some poop on his jammies over at grandma and grandpa Holgates house and I didnt have a change of clothes for him and on our way over to my parents he fell asleep so I didnt change him into his clothes I picked up at the house and he woke up in the middle of opening presents and that is why he has no clothes on.
We had a very nice Christmas this year and we hope that everyone else did as well! I am so excited for next year now that Morgan is grasping onto the concepts of everything! And Asher will be old enough to participate some as well!

Paul Mitchell

All growing up I had a passion for doing hair. I absolutely loved doing it and creating up dos. After high school I even had a job at a little boutique doing updos on little girls hair for birthday parties. After a while I decided to go up to utah and go to Beauty school and Paul Mitchell. I had a lot of fun but dropped out to get married with the intentions of going back. Well there were some dips in the road and by the time I could go back I was pregnant with Morgan and way too sick. And now time has just gotten away from me. Any who, I always thought that I wanted to be a color specialist but when I started going to school at Paul Mitchell and learned how to really cut I got a passion for that. And of course I still love doing up dos. While I went to school we had an opportunity to do some photo shoots to help us build a portfolio. We got to choose our models and then a photographer came into the school and did the pictures. I had a lot of fun doing these. Paul recently found the discs that I got from the shoots and so I rediscovered them tonight and finally put them on my computer. I am hoping to someday be able to finish my school. Here are a couple pics from 2 of the photo shoots that I did!

Double Digits

I love this boy! Asher is now 10 months old... I can't believe in 2 short months he is going to be 1... Time is flying by way to fast... Here are some current things going on with Asher

• He now weighs 20 pounds.
• has 4 teeth. 2 on the bottom and 2 on the top with 2 more on the top starting to break through.
• This little boy loves his sister and follows her all around the house. I'm glad that they are so close in age and hopefully will be best of friends.
• He is starting to like to play with toys more.
• I can tell he is going to get into all sorts of mischief just like Morgan. They are both very determined little kids.
• Still not walking but he now will walk along things and he can stay standing for a pretty long time. Sometimes he looks like he is going to take a step but then backs down and starts crawling. It's just a matter of time before he starts walking but for now I will enjoy his crawling and that baby stage of him as long as I can because they grow up way too fast.
• Asher is always so full of smiles and I love it. It totally melts my heart.
• Morgan is the only one that can make him laugh so hard. I don't know how she does it but we love it when she does it. One time she was just shaking a little box of nerds in front of him and he was cracking his head off. I love the sound of a baby's laughter!
• Really the only thing he says besides babbling is mamama.
• He now waves to people
• This morning while I was sleeping he was standing next to my bed and I open my eyes and wave to him and he sat down then got back up then sat down etc while laughing. He was playing peek -a- boo with me and I thought it was the cutest thing ever.

I seriously love this boy to pieces. He and Morgan bring so much joy into our lives and we couldn't have been blessed with better children. I can't wait to see how their personalities grow and blossom. I love being a mamama and a Mommy!

Robert and Kelsey's Wedding

The Month of December I feel has been a pretty busy one filled with wedding stuff. Almost every weekend has been busy with bridal shower, couples shower, bachelor party, wedding dinner,wedding, and reception. I couldn't help but post pictures of my cute kids in their reception attire. They looked so handsome and beautiful.

Poor Asher was so sick that day. All he wanted to do was to lay on your shoulder and just sleep. I felt so bad for the little guy. Unfortunately I didnt get many pictures at the reception due to Asher and I just sitting around a fire pit all night while he cuddled up with me asleep. I'm not complaining though, I LOVE when they cuddle. I just wish it wasn't because he didn't feel good.
Morgan in her beautiful dress. She is still learning the whole "Smile and look at the Camera" bit.
The back of Morgans hair. Paul likes when I put her hair up all sophisticated like as he calls it. I thought it turned out pretty cute.
A better view of Asher in his little suit. Poor little guy, you can tell just by his face he doesn't feel good.

Arizona Science Center

About three weeks ago my Cousin Mercedes invited us to go to the Arizona Science Center with her. She had a culture pass from the library so since I was free I accepted her invite and we went. When we got there a worker told us they had the new Monster Stomach exhibit, so we ventured on down to the first floor to go check it out. When he said the word slide in peaked our interest since what little kid doesn't like a slide. Well apparently Morgan DOES NOT like the monster stomach slide. When we went to go down in at the top it starts making farting noises really loud and freaked the crap out of her.

She has this nervous habit of picking at her upper lip when she is scared or nervous and she was just standing over by Asher literally shaking every time someone went down and she heard the farting. Later when we got home and I told her to tell daddy about the slide she would say "It fart on me" It was sad that she was so scared by it but kind of funny later on when she would talk about how the pink tummy slide farted on her and thats all she remembered about the day.
The next thing we went and did was the wheel chair races. It was Morgan and I against Mercedes and Skylie. Morgan and I won both times and Mercedes was completely convinced that there was something wrong with hers because she thought she should have won. All I have to say is don't let me chicken arms fool you in a wheel chair race. I am used to carrying really heavy kids around all day. We came to the conclusion though that they should have these wheel chairs at the gym for people to work out on. Our arms were seriously like jell-o after doing a couple of the races.

They also had an intestine ball pit for the kids to play in. I think we were all a little eerie of how clean the balls were, but we got over it since the kids were having fun in there. Especially my cousin Emily's little boy Titan. Good thing they had Purell hand sanitizers everywhere so we could frequently wash our hands.

Asher chillin in his stroller while all of the bigger kids play. Such a cutie!
They also had this cool thing on the wall where you take these tubes and build yourself a maze to put the ping pong balls down. This was a big hit for Morgan and Skylie.
The boys had the most fun playing with these ball that were floating in the air trying to catch them. It entertained them for probably a good half hour!
Group shot of us mommas with all of our kids!
As we were leaving we thought it would be fun to take some pics of the kids with the fall leaves since they were so pretty. Morgan was having fun. Asher, well by the look of his face I think you can figure it out. Poor boy was SO tired and hungry. It had been a long day for him. And Skylie looks a little unsure.
All in all we had a really fun time hanging out with our cousins! Next time we want to try and get culture passes for the zoo and the Phoenix Childrens Museum. Heard its a blast! By the way I hate when I upload pictures and when I am done with the post realize they weren't all uploaded. Oh well...