Changing up the Background

So I need one of my computer genius friends who has changed up their background template with something other than the options on blogspot. I have seen some cute ones out there and I am clueless as to how you are doing this. The new change of the color grey took me forever and I am still having some issues. If anyone has run into this problem, let me know how to fix it. My photo of Allie on the side bar is being quite finicky. If I chose a vertical photo, it will distort the picture; it's only letting me post a horizontal pictures???? Thanks for the help everyone!

Annual Woman's Celebration

Well another year has come and gone and I can't believe it was already time for the Woman's Fitness Celebration. Annually, for the past three years we have made it a tradition to walk this race. Our "team" consists of all the "girl" family that we have in Boise; and those who live out of town and wish to travel to make it to the race (we missed you Jenny and Jane). The walk/run is a 5K and it is just plain fun!!! The walk is the largest woman's fitness walk in the Nation and this year at the end we invited someone special to attend next year's race in 2008. Any guesses??? Oprah!!! At the end of the race they gathered everyone and we made a short video clip inviting her to come to the race next year. I'll keep everyone posted on the response. I also can't believe that last year Allie was just a newborn bundled up in her stroller, and this year she is running around. Allie actually didn't join me on the walk this year; we wanted to complete the race strollerless.

The rainy weather didn't stop anyone from coming out. Here is the crew all under umbrellas

The rain trickled on and off throughout the race. Here is a shot of everyone before the rain started to come down again.

Future Mountain Climber

Allie loves to climb! Anything this kid can get herself up onto she tries. The other day when I was making dinner I saw Allie standing on top of this toy (which ironically was initially used to get Allie to stand; looks like she needs some new toys). Like most inquisitive parents, I was wondering how the heck she got herself on top of that? I went and took Allie off and in amazement watched her climb right back on top. The things kids learn!

I'm amazed this kid has got some strength

Allie proving to me that she got up. She loves getting up here and watching T.V.

Return of Friday Night Pizza and the Food Menu

Well, I finally got my act together and put two and two together. I first have to admit that I am an anal budgeter; for some reason I love attempting to stay on track with my budget and keeping track of our family finances. Our grocery budget has been way over the entire summer which I attributed to two things; 1) Purchase of a deep freezer in the garage which I have loved slowing filling up, 2) the lack of my monthly menu planning. The meals calendar is a life saver for me because 1) I am not good at throwing meals together on a whim 2) When I don't have my grocery list, I don't know what to shop for at the grocery store and when I go I end up buying everything up the wazoo, hence my overspent grocery account.

I decided to start out the re-introduction of the menu calendar with Friday Night Pizza Night. I ended up making a yummy BBQ Chicken Pizza which Blake and I gobbled up. Since I will be holding this Pizza Night weekly on Friday's I am looking for any good pizza dough recipes out there. I have 3 but have rotated through all of them, and just haven't found a GREAT recipe that I love. Also anyone with other great recipes out there, send them my way. It is always nice to through a new recipe into the mix of the old.

1 Year Pictures

Allie had her one year pictures taken at Kiddie Kandits last week. It was my first visit at Kiddie Kandits and Allie's first time at a photographer studio where she has been aware of her experience. I do have to say that I wasn't pleased with the service. My photographer was not very energetic and hard-working at getting Allie to smile. The photographer told me I had to sit next to Allie in case she ended up falling; but do to her lack of enthusiasm, I got up and pulled out some of "mom's stupid tricks" so I could have a couple pics with Allie showing off her front teeth and her big grin. I also was not pleased when after each pose, the photographer would say, "what would you like to do next?" I was like, "You are the photographer, what the hec do you suggest?" Then to top it all off they make you pick 6 portraits before you even leave the actual studio. Well despite showing my photographer which 6 I liked, she picked 5 right ones and 1 of the wrong ones. Who knows who designed their software, but when you click delete on the photos you don't want they are gone for good. Let's just say I was so mad, and then she tired to get another photo when Allie had just had enough. If anyone has any good suggestions on good reasonable places to get kids photos taken, send them my way. The good from this studio was that there was no sitting fee and I got one free 8x10 for it being Allie's Birthday!

Our little girl looks so grown up in this photo

Allie was not to fond of these boas-she ripped them right off. I was shocked we even got a photo.

Although we are anything but red-necks, I just loved this photo. Every little girl has to have a pair of cow girl boots!

Canning Peaches

Well I never thought I would become so domestic that I would be canning peaches for my family, but it happened and I loved it! You have to try canning if you never have to classify you into a "real" mom. My sister-in-law Katie found a great deal on peaches and canning jars. We got together and started canning peaches in the early morning. Word of advice to those out there looking into canning-find someone to can with. I am so glad that we teamed up and did this project together, because it would have taken either of us a longer time.

Some of the highlights from the day included two novice canners setting a towel on fire. A word of advice to everyone out there who bakes in the kitchen-Baking Soda is used for putting out small fires in the kitchen. In the midst of this towel burning, Katie was blowing on the towel trying to put out the fire and I am rumaging through the cabinet asking Katie if we throw Baking Soda or Powder on the fire. Neither of us knew what to do, and luckily Katie was able to blow enough air on the fire to get it extinguished.

Another great event that we experienced were a few exploding bottoms off the jars while we were boiling the jars to seal them. If any experienced canners know how to prevent this or what this is caused from, please let me know.

By the end our two kids were just at our feet crying for attention-they were so neglected all morning but at least they had each other. We ended up getting 43 bottles of peaches canned (despite the two that exploded, which would have made 45) and also froze and dehydrated a box for milkshakes and snacks.

The final product-43 jars of peaches!

Allie's First Birthday Party

Well, Allie had her official 1st birthday party. I decided to make the party theme butterflies and flowers. I found some cute plates at the dollar store that had both butterflies and flowers on them. I made Allie two butterfly cakes and Blake and I had a little competition with our decorating skills. Well, Blake was able to view my cake first and make his even better, so I thought. For the middle body of the butterfly I used twinkies covered in frosting. We actually ended up giving Allie a twinkie for "her" cake. She devoured this thing and was an absolute mess. Well the first birthday party was a success. Thanks for all the family support that we have, Allie loves having all of you so close; she is one lucky girl!

Dad played a mean trick and tied my balloons to the back of my romper

Allie showing us that she is "1" with her finger. Don't think she's that smart...that was a total fluke for her photo

And here are the two butterfly cakes. Blake decorated the cake on the left, and mine is the cake on the right.

Allie warming up to the fact that she loves twinkies covered in frosting. By the end it was all gone.

Allie and her shopping cart that she got from cousin Cam.