Can I quit sugar?

I'm thinking about it, and I don't mean all carbs or anything too drastic, just the refined stuff. I'd still have fruit, honey, molasses and real maple I think. I've been working out consistently for 10 weeks now and I'm enjoying my new energy, and some visible muscles in my arms, but the number on the scale hasn't budged. The Nelsons are getting together on my brother Brad's houseboat in the middle of June, and I think I'll cut sugar out till then... can I do it? Have you done it?

Sophia's new bedding

I'm having shipping issues with Amazon right now, I can't wait for it to arrive! I thought this set to be perfect for a little girl/guest bedroom. She loves that our bed is a King, and her bed is a queen, so now we're calling Jennie's bed a princess bed. Girls are fun.

Our Home (a tour)

To be continued...

Jennie is just adorable

As you can see, her bangs are finally starting to grow out (sigh). Since moving here, my little one has quit napping, said goodbye to her pacifier, traded in her diapers for underwear, and happily converted her crib into a toddler bed. Today we're upgrading entirely with big girl beds for both she and Sophia. Jennie wasn't a particularly cuddly baby but thank goodness she's going through a cuddly phase right now and I'm enjoying the last bit of "baby" left in her.

WARNING!!! SCARY PHOTOS!!! SCARIER THAN YOU"RE THINKING!!! YOU'VE BEEN WARNED!!!

Jennie loves Franklin. She sleeps with him every night, he has been toted all over several states, up and down many stairs, and read to with all of the tender love my little Jennie can offer.

The other day, she doused him (and a bunch of bedding and my carpet in the office) in red food coloring. Scroll down if you dare.

Dalton is 10!

For me, his party was all about the food. Introducing... The toppings!


Dalt loved making/eating his very own super thick crust pizza.


Joe is my kind of pizza maker... his was LOADED!


Sophia's favorite toppings... artichoke hearts and olives.


Patrick couldn't get enough pepperoni.


Parker liked it, believe me.


All he really wanted was an unlimited Wii day. He got it with over 10 hours played!


I can't really believe it. My baby is growing up so fast! He reads voraciously, loves to help me in the kitchen, enjoys his new bike, is a natural learner and loves math, science, social studies, and almost all games. He tucks me into bed and offers to rub my feet when I've had a long day. He always does his jobs quickly and with a great attitude. He got his own bank account for his birthday, and it was so fun to take him down there with his savings can and have him officially sign his name. Dalton is GREAT!

Charts

I picked Jennie up from Apple nursery today and noticed her pants were backwards, then noticed her obviously diaper-free bum and asked the ladies how that went. They knew nothing of the situation, and said that her pants were backwards the whole time. "Jennie, where is your diaper?" I asked and she confidently led me to the miniature toilet and there it was in the garbage can, a totally unfolded (an adult would never throw it away like that) diaper. Sure enough, she took off her diaper and stayed dry at least most of the 2 hours she was in there. I then went grocery shopping with her just in pants and she made it home and ran straight to the toilet. So today is the day. A clean stack of underwear is on top of our toilet and a chart is taped to the wall and she wants a puppy when she's done.

Stuffed of course.

Jennie's chart made everyone want a chart, so Dalton has a piano practice and scripture chart. Joe has a shower and homework chart. Sophia has a 1 outfit a day and bed-making chart.

My sticker pad is sacred right now.

Jennie just wet the bathroom rug. I hope this isn't another Sophia repeat... I can't handle this for another 3 years.

I'm back!

The computer is VIRUS free, and I'll be blogging again soon. Honestly, I miss Facebook, and I'm a little sad to be saying goodbye forever, but I can't risk it.

Muah!

Grandpa Bud Dalton

Grandpa Bud died this morning. He's been suffering, and my Grandma has been caring for him for about 10 years. It's a blessing to know that he is no longer in pain.

I love this picture of both he and Grandma Martha at my wedding. You can see the love in his eyes, the health in his cheeks, and the happiness they shared.

He was quick with numbers, quick to laugh heartily, and quick to love my Grandma.

When I was sick

Sophia played with the camera,

and the scissors.

Actually I walk into rooms all of the time with small bits of paper spread all around. She loves cutting things, and is obsessed with making "cell phones" and "laptops" with her paper, scissors and glue stick. Here she was cutting hearts. I was quite impressed with how well she did with the home-made valentines this year, and even more impressed that she remembered how to fold the paper and cut to make the heart look the same on both sides without any supervision. So different from the boys.