Thrown into the fire!

Okay, I guess I am going to be forced to figure out blogging, because my work just informed me that one of my coworkers and I are going to be authoring a blog together! Unfortunately, that probably means that the work blog will be my priority and the Leonard Life blog will be what I get around to as I have time!
So, if you are interested in the latest and greatest in nutrition and specifically weight loss, cruise on over to our VERY BRAND NEW blog at www.vtrimblog.org. We update it each week with a new weight management related tidbit.

Am I a "Beaverton Babe?!" Not hardly.

Okay, so in my profile I said that once I learn how to be a regular blogger, I am going to update my title to "blogger babe." Well, here's the story of why I would choose that title...

On a recent girls night out, my friend Nicole told me that her husband refers to her as a "Beaverton babe." She earned that title because she has become a "local," knowing all the short-cuts through town, how to get from here to there, etc. So whenever they are going anywhere and she takes a little short-cut that only locals who really know where they are going would use, he says "Ohh, Beaverton Babe!" So I figure, once I know how to navigate around a blog like only skilled bloggers can, I will be a "blogger babe."

I've got to earn me some sort of title like that...my friends can now attest to the FACT that I AM NOT a "Beaverton babe!" On a lunch outing this past week, with my friend Maria in the car and Nicole in the car behind me, I got confused on the directions, got busy looking in the rearview mirror at Nicole who was giving me hand motions of where to go, and turned my eyes back to the road JUST IN TIME to see the median divider I was running over!!!! Lucky for me there was no oncoming traffic at the time and no witnesses...just Maria and my "Beaverton Babe" friend behind me who quickly called me on my cell phone to let me know that all hubcaps were still intact on my car and that I would not be allowed ANY margaritas at lunch!

The girly-girl update

So just as soon as I've written about my girly-girl, she goes and illustrates the point perfectly. Doug was helping Trevian get her shoes on today when she asked "Do you think when I grow up Mom will give me all her shoes?" Doug said "I don't know, why? Do you like shoes?" She replied, "oh yes! I love them!"

That's my girl!

The girly girl

If you think of everything that typically defines a girl, you have Trevian nailed. She is such a girly-girl. Trev is almost 6 and finally started kindergarten this year. She LOVES walking to school each day with her brothers. And I must admit...I quite enjoy sending the 3 of them on their way each day! :) The 2.5 hours of kindergarten is hardly alone time though and Trev is still my shopping/errand partner on many days of the week. She is taking gymnastics again this year and is quite good. She is anxious to get into swimming lessons again as she loves being in the water. She is playing on her first soccer team and she is one of the most aggressive on the team.

Eight is Great!

Zach is eight now! He was baptized in August. We had a family reunion this summer around the time of his baptism so we had lots of visitors for the big event. We spent 3 days out at the Oregon coast for the reunion prior to his baptism. We are so proud of Zach and his decision to be baptized. He is a great example to his family. Zach is also playing soccer and he started piano lessons this fall as well. He's in 3rd grade now and has a terrific class.

Terry the 10-year-old

Terry is a 5th grader right now...king of the elementary school. He's playing soccer and their team is undefeated so far. Okay, well, they've had 2 ties, but Terry is very clear that they WERE NOT defeated, so hence, he is happy to report to everyone that they are undefeated. That is actually a new experience for him. He has never been on a winning soccer team. He has a great coach and he has learned a lot this season. He's planning to play basketball this winter as well. Much to his dismay, he is taking piano lessons again this year. But much to my pleasure, I can tell he is getting better! His real love would be to learn to play electric guitar. But until he is proficient at piano, mom insists the only guitar playing he'll be doing is on Guitar Hero.

Update on the head of household

Okay, by the title, this really should be about me...but it's about Doug! :) Doug is doing well. As you can see from the photo I added, he's had his share of fun. Earlier this summer he went to Florida with my brother and my sister's husband for a boys trip. They took a few days of kiteboarding lessons, snorkeled, and caught a MLB game. Doug called EVERY day to give me the recap of the trip...which usually included him telling me about all the fantastic restaurants they ate at, the wonderful weather, etc. I think the girls are due for a getaway!
This summer Doug had a conference in Banff up in Calgary. We stayed right on Lake Louise, which is the craziest color of turquoise blue I have ever seen in a lake. The lake is deep in the Rocky Mountains and surrounded by glaciers. We saw 4-5 bears while we were there. There was even a bear attack on a walking path just a short distance from the hotel. We took a beautiful 7-mile hike up to a glacier where they have a tea house. We sat and ate chocolate cake and took in the views. It was probably the most amazing scenery I have ever experienced. Doug's mom came and stayed with the kids while we went and they all had a ball at home.

Blog update!

Okay, well the first attempt at blogging was in August. Here it is October...2 months later...and I am finally back at the blog and adding photos. I haven't made this blog public yet. Or I guess I should say, I haven't admitted to anyone yet that I have a blog. I'm still getting the hang of it. All my friends and many family members have blogs that put this attempt to shame. So I will keep working to improve it! Any blog tips from others are much appreciated! :)