Longing for another

I'm longing for another, she's a hot little number isn't she. Just look at her lines. I'm going to order this soon.

2 Weeks

I'm two weeks in to the diet and I've lost about 10lbs. Not bad considering the days of cheating for the holidays. In fact when I feel like I really want a dessert and nothing is going to fix that desire I just go ahead and have it. Then, I'm back on. In fact, I've been craving a bowl of cocoa crispies for like three days. Man, those things are good. So, about 5 minutes ago I polished off a man sized portion of those little cocoa devils. I think that's my trick when dieting. I don't get down on myself about it, it's a marathon. You just gotta keep going.

On another note, I was out skating with the kids tonight, right up to their bedtime. They were riding there new razor scooters along side my longboard and doing great. On the scooters they keep up pretty well and are having a ball.

Learning the Coleman Slide

In my last post I said, I want to do some things on a longboard that the big man has no business doing. Well, I stand corrected. I found this YouTube video of exactly the thing I am trying to learn AND if I'm not mistaken, that is a big man gettin' it done...



I attempted this last night. I threw on my tough Carhartt bibs and slide gloves and gave it a shot. So far, total failure. My board is about 22 inches longer than this guys board and from what I understand that can make it a bit tricky. I did get cool battle wound from my efforts.

Phase II: Day 3

I am on Day 3 of Phase II Devericks weight loss. I'm seeing results already just look at this picture I took today...




Nice huh?

I really am trying to cut some weight again. After losing 35lbs a couple years ago I'm ready for just a bit more. My goal has always been simple, to get down to wearing a 38 waist comfortably. The reason for that is that everyone carries all their pants in a 38x34 but very few people carry 40x34. I have been stuck in between normal and big and tall for 2 years, only rarely being able to find a pair of pants that fit correctly. Annoying as hell.

Another motivation, one I am reluctant to share here. Since getting my longboard a couple months ago I have found that I really enjoy it. It's good exercise, really fun, challenging, scary sometimes and I can do it with the kids. Only problem is there are a couple of things I want to do on it, that fat people have no business doing. I'll leave it at that.

I am really only shooting to lose 10-15lbs. But if I want to maintain that I should probably shoot for 20-25. That way when I inevitably gain back a bit I am still where I want to be.

Last time I weighed myself I was 237lbs. We don't own a scale so no regular updates. When my pants start getting loose I will get curious and go to a friends house and let you know.

Some of you will wonder what I am going to do to lose weight. Well, I am going to do what I did last time. It worked once, why not again right? It's a strange variant on the Atkins diet. I don't eat sugar, breads and all that stuff, just like Atkins says. Low or no carb. Here is where I differ. I can't eat a lot of fatty meat or foods that are too rich. So what I ended up doing was eating a lot of awesome salads full of veggies. Usually everyday at lunch and with most dinners I have a salad. the salad is romaine or a spring mix and contains cheese, red pepper, onion, carrot, english cucumber and italian dressing. I eat the same amount and kind of meat I normally would. If I feel like I need some carbs I have a cracker or carrot. I have no idea how many calories, fat etc. Breakfast is/was always the tough meal. Everything I want for breakfast is straight carbs. I like eggs but I can only do that for 1 or 2 days before I get ill.

Well, there it is. Tune in next time.

It's Beginning to look alot like Christmas

Sunday we woke up to snow on the ground. It lasted just long enough to take these pictures and let the kids enjoy it for an hour and then it was gone.

Last night Jeni and Kev invited us over for dinner and FHE. We made gingerbread (graham cracker) houses. It was alot of fun. Finn ate his weight in candy. Amara enjoyed it the most.

Finn's First Shiner

We went to some friends house for dinner on sunday night and while we were there Finn fell into their entertainment center. He hit his eye right on one of the knobs. It quickly poofed up and got purple. He then proceeded to pull a glass of milk down off the table. The milk covered him and the glass shattered on the floor. That's when we called it a night. We didn't think Finn or their house could take much more of his rumbling. We do thank our friends for their love and patience.

Our Trip

The Great State of Texas

In 10 hours we will be boarding a plane and heading to Texas. I can't believe it is finally happening. I have not seen my sister Chrissta and 3 of her kids for 6 years. I've never even met my nephew Xander. Honestly, that is not how life should be! My little sister Tara had her second baby today also. I get to go meet my nephew Zion when he is barely 24 hrs old. I CAN"T WAIT!!!! We'll keep you posted as to the haps.

Visit from Lily

So this last week we had a fun visitor....... Baby Lily ( and of course Tonya and Sam too). They arrived Wednesday evening just as the kids were suppose to be going to bed. So that was a later night. We did alot of hanging out. Normally when they come to visit we see them for 24 hrs or so this time it was 4 whole days. We really did LOVE having them! It's so fun to be an active aunt and uncle. Our nieces and nephews have been far away for really long. Eric is definately in love. He loves holding her and kissing her chunky cheeks and I love just holding her and rocking her and when she crys I give her to her mommy. It was really fun and we look forward to her next visit!

The Nissan Lives!

For those of you following the long saga of a certain Nissan Sentra in our driveway. It's official, the Nissan lives. To date here are the repairs that have gone into this car.

New starter solenoid (not the problem later returned)
New starter
New Fuel Pump
New Fuel Filter
Cracked thermostat housing replaced
Catalytic converter removed checked and reinstalled
New distributor
3 different carburetors- 1 returned on site, 1 completely installed and removed then returned, 1 successfully installed.

The last repair was finished today when we took the car by the carburetor shop to have a few tweaks done (they actually did them for free) then I had the car emissions tested and bought the tags. Currently it runs well and I'm hoping it stays that way. I think I've earned it.

Longboard Larry

I got my board tonight from Larry. I did a poster for a race he had about a month ago. The kids and I had fun on it. Yes, it's every bit as big as it looks.

56" long and 10" wide

Awwwww....

A couple of love birds sitting at Wendy's. I just like the picture so I thought I'd post it.

Something I'm working on...

Amara's Artwork

Here is a picture Amara did during the last conference session. She was sitting in front of the computer drawing the people who were speaking. It took me a while to get around to putting this up. This one is of President Hinkley.

Spiders and Witches and Scooby Doo, Oh My!

We had our ward Trunk-r-Treat on Saturday night. It was quick, to the point and fun for the kids! The kids were so excited. Finn was hilarious when we put on his costume, he kept spinning around. Sully has been wearing his Scooby Doo costume for weeks and Amara wasn't so sure about herself when her make up was finished but I told her she was the witch from Wicked and Aunt Chrissta would love her costume so she was ok with it.

We'll go trick-r-treating again on Wednesday with friends, not like they need anymore candy.

Before and After

It is amazing to me how kids can grow right before your eyes. Finn is just getting so grown up. His newest thing is he is climbing up on the kitchen chairs and then getting on the table. So fun! He is also starting to say words like cracker, cookie, ball, and car. We recently got him a hair cut at a salon. We couldn't believe how different he looked afterward. He really is so fun to have around!

Sully makes Cookies

Today Sully made chocolate chip cookies for tonights Family Home Evening. He did the measuring, pouring and mixing. He made the best cookies, he even said "making cookies is funner than a roller coaster." Later he changed his mind.

World of Warcraft...Toyota style

This is awesome. I can't believe this is a commercial being used on network TV. Sweet.

Carburetor, I Hate You.

I spent an entire day trying to install a carburetor. For the second time, it's not the right one. Only this time, it's so close to the right one, I didn't see the problem until it the entire thing was installed. I'm not going to clutter this blog with a technical explanation of why it's the wrong one. Instead, I want to clutter this blog with a vitriolic hate filled screed.

I hate this carburetor. I hate this car. I hate working on cars. I do it because I have no choice. When you have no money, you drive old cars. Old cars break down. And with no money, you can't pay someone else to fix them. I hate no money. I hate other people who fix my car and I hate how much they charge. I hate my car. I am filled with hate over that car.

I have bled on this car. Stress has flowed from the bowels of this car and filled my very soul. Tears have been shed. I hate this car.

I despise giving up. I hate this car because it's pushing me to give up. In the face of overwhelming odds I don't give up...but I'm tired. This much hate takes work to maintain.

I'd like to say this is some kind of blessing, but I don't have the will to contort this into anything but what it clearly is. A filthy steaming pile of abysmal disaster with a generous side of...well, this is a family blog. Like I said, I'm tired, it's late, and I have some hate to nurture.

Hugs and kisses,
Eric

42 inches and 44 pounds

Sullivan had his 4 year old check up this week. He did great. He was fascinated with the blood pressure cuff. He pumped it up so many times and so tight the doctor was surprised that he could still feel his hand. He is healthy and strong and growing great. His vision and hearing were also fine. He will go and get his shots next week with Eric. I've just decided Dad gets to be the one to do that with the older kids now.

Why?

Because I feel like posting a picture of some dude with spectacular mullet standing by his pickup...that's all...because a I feel like it.

Welcome to the Family Baby Lily

Eric's sister Tonya and brother-in-law Sam had a baby this last week. Lily AnnMarie was born Sept 10th at 10:01am. She weighed in at 6 lbs 3 oz and 19 in long. We are so excited for them and to have her here healthy and strong. We made a quick trip down to Oregon this weekend to see them and meet her. Uncle Eric is in love. He is just so happy that his sister is getting to be a Mom.

It's going to be fun to be an active Aunt and Uncle again. It's been so long since we've had neices or nephews around. We love you Lily!

7 Years Old and in 1st Grade

Can you believe it? Amara...... our little Amara is 7 years old and in the 1st grade. Where has the time gone? It feels like just yesterday that we were bringing her home from the hospital and thinking "No one is gonna stop us? We really get to just take her home?" She is a great little girl. She is loving and caring, most of the time kind, funny, adventurous, brave, faithful, and smart. We feel very lucky that she is our daughter!

Poster

I just finished this poster for a friend who owns a longboard company in Salem, Oregon. I think it turned out well and I hope to do more in the future.

I still can't believe that moon turned out so well. I drew that moon from scratch in photoshop.

A Little Taste of Buble

So I took my camera ( I know, I know it's against the rules) and I recorded 4 of our favorite songs. This is one Amara enjoyed the most. She made a deal with Aunt Jeni before the concert to sing all the words, so if you listen real close you can hear her. It was so cute. She was really rockin' out!

Hot Dog

Matt and Mary Rodgers, this one goes out to you.

The Bublites (Buble'-ites)

So what can I say about the Buble' concert.............. it was FABULOUS! We had so much fun I don't even think I can put it into words. We took pictures with his poster in the foyer of the concert hall and then we took our seats, just waiting.


His opening act was a lady named Jann Arden. She had a popular song in the 90's called Insensitive. I thought she was pretty amazing, but Amara didn't like her at all. She was a little loud because she hit high notes. She sang about 30 minutes or so, then we had another 25 minute wait. We ran to the potty, got a drink and prepared ourselves for the next few hours. Then it was time.



The lights dimmed and the music started. OOOOOOOOOOOH GOODNESS! And then he stared to sing. We all went crazy. There was hooping, holloring, screaming, maybe even a tear. It was an amazing show. He is really funny and talks to the audience alot. He sang all of our favorite songs, the worst part is that it didn't last long enough. It felt like he only sang for 20 minutes when in reality it was over 2 hrs.





Here are the post concert pictures, can you see it? The Buble glow. We had the greatest time, the only bummer part is that Eric and Dan didn't get to come with us! But they will next time! That's right you heard me, there will be a next time and we will be there!