Fun times with Friends!

This weekend involved a lot of friends sleeping over at our house! Friday night Joslyn had 2 friends sleep-over. Joslyn had a lot of fun. Lots of giggles, food and memories! We ordered pizzas for dinner. Allison also had her good friend spend the night on Friday. They played a dancing game on the Wii, watched a movie, and giggled themselves to sleep in Allison's room!
Saturday morning I made pancakes for all 6 girls (including Moriah). I took Allison, her friend and Moriah to the indoor swimming pool. We swam for about an hour and a half. After swimming I had plans to take Allison and her friend to the movies and have Moriah take a nap at home with Philip. Unfortunately the movie that I thought was playing at the theater, Rango is not showing until next weekend. The girls were a bit disappointed as was I. So we came home and Allison played outside with her friend.
Joslyn spent all day outside with her friends on Saturday. I gave the girls permission to walk to the food court and have lunch together.
Allison and Joslyn had a great weekend with their friends (Moriah enjoyed the attention from all of the girl's too)!

Schweinfurt Beauty Pageant

Allison came home from school last Thursday with a entry form for the Schweinfurt Beauty Pageant. The Beauty Pageant was in a few days (last Saturday). Allison was so excited and practically begged me to enter in the pageant. I agreed, filled out the entry form, had Philip jump in the car and turn in the form with the $60 entry fee. After school on Friday Allison and I went to the PX to buy a nice pair of heels. We also picked up a few cute hair accessories.
Saturday morning we arrived at the school at 9:30am. Allison did a few practice runs on the stage. A few of Allison's friends were in the pageant as well. The pageant began at about 10:30am. For the first 3 hours of the pageant the baby were on stage being judged in the different categories. The baby contestants were as young as 10 days old!!
Allison was in the pre-teen age group. She did an awesome job on stage! She wasn't nervous at all! One question that the host asked Allison was, "What is your favorite hobby"? Allison answered, "Drawing". The host also asked her, "what do you really like to draw". Allison responded, "Trees and a sunset".
Allison did not win the title of Miss Schweinfurt. The 12 year old who won last year won again this year. Her name is Joslyn too. Joslyn is friends with Joslyn. They are in the same grade and have classes together.
Allison had so much fun getting all dressed up, having make-up on and being on stage!

Allison earns a Wilbur Award!

Allison is doing very well in reading. Along with 3 other students in her class, Allison received a Wilbur Award for her constant improvement in reading! We are proud of you Allison!

Diet Time!

I started a diet. My goal is to loose 15 pounds. I work out every day in my living room for 1 hour to a DVD while my baby girl naps. I don't drink nearly as much Coke-Cola as I have. Instead I drink a lot more water!! I also replaced Coke-Cola with Coke ZERO! I bought A LOT of water bottles! Every time I was thirsty before, I would just go to the fridge and open a Coke. It was easy and fast. I thought I would buy bottled water and keep it in my fridge as opposed to drinking water from the tap. This way all I would have to do is grab the water from the fridge and go. (Notice Moriah smiling at the camera while eating her lunch!)

I also bought some tea to give the water some flavor (zero calories too) My favorite is the Lipton packs! Today I am going to replenish my water supply and teas.

This past week was my first week on the diet. I am only weighing myself on Saturdays. The first week of my diet I lost 5 pounds! I am now 145 lbs! Just 10 more pounds to go! Maybe once I loose the 10 pounds I may decide to loose just 5 more and get back down to 130 lbs. 130 will be my limit! I am still super motivated. Even after 1 week!

New TV and Surprise!

Philip bought a new TV and entertainment console. I am trying to sell our old TV console on a local website. Now Philip is on a mission to find a surround system. None of this stuff interests me, but he is so excited about it all.

Philip and I went shopping at the PX a few days ago. I was practically begging Philip to let me buy a new candle. He wouldn't let me. I even tried to sneak it into the basket (I use to sneak stuff all the time in my Dad's shopping baskets when I was lots younger), but Philip caught it before we got to the register! Philip always gives me grief when I buy candles. "You have more than enough candles! There is one in EVERY room of our house...",Philip always says. Well yesterday Philip came home with a nice surprise for me. I was SURPRISED that he would actually buy a candle! He also bought me a Quick Scent candle AND refills! Philip even bought a decoration for the candle! Maybe deep down Philip likes candles just as much as I do! When we get back to the states maybe he will have fun shopping with me at the Yankee candle store in the mall?! Actually I can see him now...pulling my arm and telling me, "Oh No Denise! Keep walking" I love him!

Valentine's Day 2011

Valentine's Day Presents for our loves!

Joslyn was given a pair of new shoes and a sparkly case for her itouch, along with some jewlery!

For Valentines Day Allison was given a Moon Sand Bakery and a wii game along with some jewelry too!

I gave Philip a big coin case to display all of military coins!

We gave Moriah a Winniew the Pooh and piglet stuffed animal!

Philip gave me chocolates and this beautiful bracelet!

We went downtown to eat at a little donner shop for dinner. We had a nice Valentine's Day celebrating our love for one another!

Allison in the Spelling Bee

Allison was selected as one of 3 contestants to represent the 4th grade in the Schweinfurt Elementary School Spelling Bee of 2011! Allison practiced, practiced and practiced her spelling words. She studied the spelling words from 1st grade to 8th grade. On January 25th Allison was nervous and excited! The day of the Spelling Bee was finally here! I was able to attend the Spelling Bee, but Philip had to stay home with Moriah. The Spelling Bee judges asked that younger siblings not attend because complete silence was needed during the contest. Allison's first word was clearance . She misspelled it :(  After the first round the contestants who misspleed words were asked to step off the stage. I gave Allison a HUGE, LONG hug and told her how proud I was of all she learned over the weeks. She studied a lot! Allison and I stayed and watched the rest of the Spelling Bee together. Good job Allison! We are sooo proud of you!!