Happy Birthday America!

Ahh the carefreeness of being almost two just puts a spring in my step.



My first smore!


A seasoned smore eater.


What can I say? She is the dancing Queen.


Lindsey steals some of Amanda's shade.


The sugar induced coma is just beginning.

It is Time. . .

Ahh those famous words of Rafiki.

It is time for me to loose some weight. Now I realize you are probably thinking I should not be too hard on myself. I'm not. I think I have some pretty good excuses for putting on 10 ok 20 ok 30 extra pounds. However I realized that I don't want to look back at my Disney pictures some day and see my extra pounds. I want to look at those pictures and see a great time and a lovely family, including me. Do I care too much what I look like? Perhaps, but I'm ok with that:)

So I am planning on starting the South Beach Diet. I've helped George through it before but I've never really dieted before. That's the reason I'm blogging about it. I figure if I blog about it I will be more compelled to actually do it. In the past when I needed to loose weight I just needed to start excersising and drop 5-10 lbs. No biggie. However, recently I looked in the mirror and thought "mother of Ben and Jerry I need to loose some weight!" (Another indicator was that my maternity clothes are snug and Christin beat me in a race) So here I go, about to begin on the first real dieting attempt of my lifetime. . . tomorrow (seriously!)

As I embark on this journey do you have any words of wisdom for me?!?! Or just mean things to keep me going to prove you wrong (for example, "Hey Shannon, I have a picture of you and you look huge! Good luck with the diet!")

A Friend Loves at All Times

So I've done some ranting and raving about how well meaning people can be insensitive but I'm not sure I've shared how stinking awesome people have been to us. First of all the cards, gift cards, money etc. has been wonderful. People have thought of everything from giftcards to shoprite, Denney's, Friendlys, some nicer restaurants, and even giftcards to Build-A-Bear for the girls. As if that wasn't enough some people have gone above and beyond.
Some of our close friends from church (who shall remain nameless since we don't even know who they all are!) have decided that our family needs a vacation. While we couldn't agree more they have gone above and beyond and are sending us to Disney World. You know the place were Mickey Mouse lives?!?!?!?! They have taken care of our flights, hotel, food, and even a little spending money. I'm sorry to tell you that I have to coolest friends. You may think your friends are great, mine are better.
We also have another fabulous group of friends who paid for the girls and I to go to Camp Hebron (check out the pics in the Moms and Tots album). These are awesome camp friends who I haven't seen in years, yet God, in His wisdom, told them exactly what we needed and they obeyed by twisting my arm until I agreed to go (thanks girls!). The girls and I had so much fun together. I cried every day but the laughter far outweighed the tears. I was able to laugh and really enjoy my wonderful girls plus have some grownup girl time. I truely did heal so much in just 5 days.
So yeah, I pretty much have the most wonderful friends!