There are only a couple of weeks left in the "Healthy Habits Challenge". This last week I was really done with it but stuck it out and I'm glad that I did. There have been very positive things that have come out of this challenge. The one thing that I do complain about is having to do all 10 things everyday (the challenge). Having to remember all 10 seems to be hard for me when life gets really busy.

I spoke in church today. I was very nervous and also very relieved that its done. I'll tell you what, I learned a lot. I had to pray for a lot of guidance. God is there!

The rest of my Sunday was spent enjoying my family, relaxing and enjoying my beautiful flowers that our great friends Julie and Loren brought me last night to let me know they were thinking of me. Thank you!

The Week

This week has been busy and a little stressful. Unfortunately, my emotions seem to get the best of me today and I cried. It felt good to cry!!! Today we went and saw Maci's kindergarten play called "The Barnyard Moosical" It was the cutest thing ever. They had chickens, pigs, cows, farmers and goats. Maci and Annie were goats and said their lines together. In the middle of the play they surprised the parents with having to follow the kids in their funky chicken dance. Maci thought this part was very funny. Maci did a great job and it was so fun to see how excited she was all week.

Yesterday Travis went on Max's field trip to Botanical Garden. They have the butterfly exhibit going on. I took Maci and Max to this exhibit with Brenda Gowey 3 years ago and it was amazing. Butterflies would land on you. Max said that a butterfly landed right on his shoulder. Trav said he had a good time and also told me that Max didn't sit by him on the bus. I reassured him and told him that Max did the same thing to me last year-its normal. If it were Maci, she would have sat by you!

Ryder is doing great in swim lessons. He actually likes them now and his kicks were amazing today. He tells me, "I did so good." I'm so proud of him!

Tour de Phoenix

Tour de Phoenix

Saturday April 10th

A couple of weeks ago our biking group, the Brumby's, prerode the course for the Tour de Phoenix. I cleared my Saturday to make sure I could do this ride because I wanted to do the actual race. So that day I felt really good, had a great ride and came home and told Travis, "I think I'm good, I'm not going to do the race." Well, my stubborn Astill mentality kicked in and I signed up on Friday, the day before the race. Travis and I both did the race and this will be the first and only time that I can say I beat Travis to the finish line (he got a flat tire, poor thing). Travis probably would have done well (I'm talking top 5 well) since he was telling me he went up Usery going 18mph and the guy he rides with took 2nd place. I told him that was nothing, I usually go about 24mph! I could take Travis any day!

The race started at 6:15am and was 72 miles long. The course started by Red Mountain Highschool, down University to Alma School, Alma School to Mckellips, Mckellips to Hayden, Hayden to Shea Blvd, Shea to the Beeline Hwy, up Beeline to Bush hwy, down Bush to Usery, up Usery to University to Power to Brown and Finish! Did you get all of that????? It was a lot of fun. I ended up finding a little group that kept a great pace the entire time. I would have to say my legs were dead when I got to Usery but I made it and BEAT TRAVIS I might add! The best part of the race is getting to see all of the cyclists we know finish and have a great time as well. Everyone is so great!!!

So for some reason my inner thighs were really sore(cramping sore, weird) so Travis mentioned that I should go get a massage. I did not pass up his offer! It felt great! We then went to an after race party and had a great time mingling and relaxing. Such a fun and exhausting day! I'm glad I did the race. It always feels so good to accomplish a challenging goal.

So, off the biking subject....Ryder finally went #2 on the potty-YAAAAY! Its the little things in life that make a difference-right?

Easter

Easter

After all the birthdays we were able to have a nice relaxing Easter Sunday. I actually didn't even take pictures on easter. I think our kids enjoyed coloring the eggs the most. So here they are in action! Max decided to not use a spoon dipper for his eggs so his hands were stained a nice green, gray, blackish color-he was proud!!!

Everyone knows how much I love family and I was so excited to have Lisha spend Easter with us along with Mark, Amy, kids, and some friends from church! We had a delicious brunch and then the kids played outside the rest of the day. At the end of the day Maci was climbing a tree and fell. She hit her head on the rocks below and ended up with a staple in her head to close up the gash. I was very grateful the injury was minor since we know of stories that end up much worse. However, she did make our evening eventful!
We got new countertops today! Now we definitely need to paint!

Birthdays and April visitors!

Happy Birthday to Maci and Ryder!!!!!!!!

April started exactly how I like it-PARTIES, CAKES and FAMILY (Grandpa and Shelly)!

I got sick last week but luckily by the time Maci's birthday came around I was feeling better. Maci's tea party only turned out great because of all the help from Trav, Shelly, Grandpa and Max.

April Fool's Day Maci turned 6 and enjoyed herself at a birthday tea party with her cute friends!

After they giggled and ate we went outside for a set the table for tea relay, went on an Easter scavenger hunt, and played pin the crown on Maci.

Then it was gift time-YEAH!!!!

As you can see the girls had a big pile on at the end.

Maci was trying to give them all a big THANK YOU hug

Ryder's Birthday!
If you ask Ryder he turned 8 on his birthday and he's stickin with that answer. He did not turn 3, he turned 8! So my 2 year old going on 8 had a very nice birthday. It was laid back. He loved his trains and trucks he got and enjoyed having grandpa and Shelly share in the joy.

Ryder's birthday breakfast-Strawberries, WHIP CREAM, and wheat waffles. I emphasize whip cream because that is the only thing he ate and then said, "That's delicious!" He takes after his mom in loving whip cream.

Ryder opening gifts. If you look closely we wrote 8 all over the wrapping paper.

Aren't we so funny?

After napping we headed to the train park. This is the only request we got from Ryder. He was so happy and excited to be there.

Travis was looking forward to the train park all week long. Its all he could talk about!

We couldn't end the day without blowing out candles. Unfortunately we only had a #6 candle. So Ryder is 3, says he's turning 8 and got a #6 on the cupcake......do you think he might be confused???

After a crazy birthday weekend, a flag football game, and just hangin' out, my Dad and Shelly had to go. It was so nice to have them here. One of the benefits of living away from family is that when they visit we get them all to ourselves! The kids had such a great time. I love the sound of kids laughter when their playing with their grandpa. Thanks for visiting Dad and Shelly!

March Madness

March Madness

What a fun March we had with Spring Break and lots of visitors! My Mom, Eli, and Tate came to visit-YEAH!!! Ya know the saying, "March winds, April showers, bring May's pretty flowers." (this saying doesn't fit Arizona seasons by the way). Well, March seemed to blow by very quick!!! So here is our Spring Break and the fun things we did!

Hike- Wind Caves

We hiked with Rachelle, her kids and one of her friends. Unfortunately the picture we took didn't turn out. Max and Maci raced each other up the mountain, I was very impressed but a little upset because the top is a little sketchy but they made it!

Max and Eli threw one of Lola's toys on the roof so they just HAD to get it!!! Goofballs!

This is why Max has a hard time leaving Utah every summer.

Fountain Hills park with friends!

Ryder was amazed by the fountain. It would run for 15 minutes and he sat still and just stared each time it came on. 10 kids trying to jump the same rope??????????????

My loving mother who absolutely adores her Grandkids!!!

Skateland! This was after Annie was tired and wanted a turn in the stroller. Maci and Annie were skating like pros by the end.

We couldn't leave without doing the Hokey Pokey! Just so you know, Mom fell and took Maci down with her. It was hilarious!!!

Peesha's place in Flagstaff, AZ

It actually snowed Friday morning and my kids were so excited! Then Lish said to me, "Its to bad you guys can't stay the weekend its supposed to be 55 degrees." I just laughed at her because it was going to be 75 in Mesa! I also did a dumb thing while I was there. We went to go get dinner and I was at Taco Bell going thru the drive thru. So I paid at the first window and then drove right past the second window without the food. I was laughing hysterically when I looked over on the seat and saw no food. So I had to go back and the girl at the window was just laughing and said, "Don't worry, you're definitely not the first." I seem to have my dumb moments with Lisha.

Tate and Maci playing in the snow.

Crazy Cousins!!!

After Flagstaff my mom, Eli and Tate had to leave-SAD!!! We always dread the goodbyes! We miss them as soon as they leave. Then me, Lisha and the kids went to two parks and hung out. One of the parks had trains going by and of course Ryder (train lover) through a big fit when we had to leave. It was such a fun little trip. Thanks Alisha and roomates for letting us crash at your place!

I better go, Ryder keeps locking Lola in his room!

Firsts

Ryder's Big Day of Firsts as a 3year old or as he would say "I'n 8"

Our goal today at the dentist office was just to see if he would sit in the chair and let them look in his mouth. To my surprise he let them completely clean his teeth! I was shocked that he left his stubborness out of it. He watched Max and Maci and then got right up in the chair, put on his cool shades, watched "Max and Ruby" and sat there like a champ! I was a proud mommy.

Then at 11:30am I took Ryder to his first swim lesson. He got in and was happy for the first 15 minutes and then realized he had to put his head in the water and he was done. He still did it but would get out and say, "I done, I done!" So here he is still happy. He did so good.

It was a big day for my little guy who just turned 3. Maci and Ryder both had birthdays last week which I will be posting about in the next couple of days. March was a crazy month with lots of fun stuff and family visits so stay tuned!