This is Halloween...

I don't remember Halloween lasting so long when I was a kid.  It was ONE day.  Parade at school, trick or treating.  Done.  My how things have changed.

His actual costume is Ghost Face from Scream however at a couple of our events this week masks weren't allowed so we improvised and painted his face.  I think it turned out pretty cool!

My creepy little man!

Here is my little Vampire.....

Although after being in her costume the majority of last week we thought she resembled Elvira, minus the insane amounts of cleavage!

"Boo" at the Zoo was a blast.  Trick or treating all while checking out some pretty sweet animals with your cousins?  The. Best.

Peyton refused to look at the camera because he didn't have his mask on.  Silly boy!

Trying to get a picture of 4 kids all looking at the camera when there is so much going on around you... nearly impossible.  

Better.

When Pajha got sick of the wig (which by the way went from looking awesome to looking like a matted ball of black fake hair) she let Daddy wear it.  Sexy.

And what would Halloween be without Spiderman?  Now that Peyton is finally "over it" its fun to see my sweet little nephew Zayne taking over that role!

So here is how our week went down.  I have more stuff to share but that will be for another post.  Gotta spread them out.  Wednesday we had our Primary Halloween Carnival.  The kids got all dressed up, played games and came home with quite a bit of candy.  Friday was the Halloween Parade at the school, and later that evening we went over to the local market, they were having a trunk or treat outside, and activities inside for the kids.  Again, we came home with way too much candy.  Saturday we went to the Zoo with some of my sisters.  The kids had a blast.  Trick or treating once again we came home with WAY too much candy.  Do you see a pattern here?  And tonight of course being that it is actually Halloween we will yet again go trick or treating and likely come home with more candy than I even want in my house.  UGH!  

Yo-yo... Fro-yo... Nuts?

Today was a really fun, MUCH needed day.  I got up early and hit the gym.  Mostly just to get it out of the way so that I wouldn't feel bad for not making it.  It wasn't because I wanted to.  It was one of those mornings.  I did a short cardio circuit and then I did a back/bicep circuit.  Took me about an hour total.  Done.  I came home, had some breakfast (an egg sandwich) and got my stinky self showered.  I met up with a few girls that I met competing for lunch.  We went to Cafe Rio (I had salad, no tortilla, no rice, no guac, no tortilla strips just lettuce, chicken, black beans, and pico).  Super good.  What was better though was the company.

You see I have a confession to make.  Remember that post about not really having those post show blues?  How I was feeling pretty dang good?  Yeah.  I lied.  I didn't mean to though.  I am not one to lie.  It just hit me this week. Totally out of nowhere.  It sucks though.  I am feeling really "down" like a yo-yo.  One minute happy the next I want to cry.  It is SO hard to go from the stage body... to this body... just try to imagine ;)  Anyway, I am working through it and trying to stay positive.  I know what I need to change (STOP EATING).  I can do this.

Back to lunch.  These women are AMAZING.  I feel like through competing I have just met some of the most amazing people in the world.  I feel so blessed.  Its great to have that support.  Someone to talk to that knows what you are going through, what you are feeling inside because lets face it, competitors are crazy... coo coo... totally freaking nuts.  We are!  You know it, I know it.  Its just nice to know we aren't completely alone in our madness.  I could sit and vent to my husband, my non competitor friends or my family for days but they really can't understand.  They can't put themselves in my shoes.  We need that support.

I had some frozen yogurt for a snack (it was a dang good snack too) and dinner was a chicken salad with Light Greek dressing.  I also had some carbmaster yogurt and a few other nibbles on things throughout my day.  Its time to get my meal plan into action.  Time for some consistency again.  Time for a plan!

Ingredient overload...

Does anyone (but me) get really discouraged by a recipe that has like a billion ingredients.  It overwhelms me.  I like the recipes that are simple, few ingredients, and it helps if I have HEARD of the ingredients.   I can't even tell you how many times I find something that I will just die if I don't make... until I see the ingredients list and then all motivation is gone.  Poof!  Anyone else have this problem?

Peyton had a friend sleep over last night, so Pajha and I had a mommy/daughter movie night.  We picked a movie off of Netflix, popped some popcorn and sat down to watch it and I kid you not within ten minutes I was out like a light.  Slept through the whole thing.  This is PROOF for my husband that I don't only fall asleep to his shows.  ;)  For the past few weeks every time I sit down to watch TV with my hubby I pass out.  He likes to say that I only stay awake if it is something I pick.  Not true.  I just fall asleep every time I sit down.  The trick for me is to keep moving, keep busy.

I am really looking forward to tomorrow.  Back on our routine.  I love having the kids off school, getting to sleep in and all that jazz but honestly I really just love my routine.  Getting up early, out the door early, gym done with early.  I love it.  I need it.  I sat down with my friend over the weekend and we came up with a plan.  A gym/meal plan with a couple of small goals to work towards.  I need to get back on track and so far... it isn't going so well.  I am looking forward to starting with a clean slate tomorrow.  I hope you all had a great weekend.  I am hitting the sack early tonight.  Sleepy!

Pumpkin!

Since we spent the day at my sisters house yesterday we brought her son back home with us, he is just 6 weeks younger than Pajha.  They were dying to have a sleepover so I figured why not?  They had a blast and were up wayyyyy too late for their own good.  I was woken up this morning to my sweet nephew flicking my ear.  Ha.  Little stinker.  My sister planned to come out and pick him up so we made it a craft day.  She brought the crafts and her two daughters and the four of us crafted.  We made these adorable pumpkins.  My very first fall decor in my house.  Go me!

My sister (left) and my nieces getting their craft on

Our cute pumpkins, mine is on the far right!

My silly nieces hiding in the pumpkin patch!

The cutest little pumpkin around.  My Great niece Chloie!

My pumpkin's new home, maybe I should craft more often!

What a great day.  Now if I could get rid of this headache I have had for oh... a week straight everything would be perfect, ugh!  Happy Friday!

Routines & Blues

Super excited for today.  The kids don't have school so we are going to hang out with my sister!  I don't get to see my sisters enough.  We always have a great time together, we laugh... a lot, and just hang out.  Love it.  I decided to use today as my rest day.  That might change.  I might do a workout at home later but at this moment... I am resting ;)

I wanted to talk about post competition blues.  I have discussed them a few times on my blog.  Usually after a competition, when I am really struggling and going through them.  I swore that this time around would be different for me.  And to be honest, it has.  This is not to say that I haven't felt "puffy" or sad but honestly I feel very different than my usual post show self.  In a very good way.  I do not feel overwhelmed with body issues.  I feel good.  I know that obviously I have gained back some of the weight.  That's a given.  I haven't gone straight back on a clean diet... though I really tried.  I have enjoyed myself.  I have had treats (way too many of them), I have eaten dinners that probably shouldn't have (pizza) but I think that the main difference is this.  Usually after a comp I take at least a week off from the gym.  I relax, catch up on sleep, eat whatever I want, etc.  That week sometimes turned into a month because you know that once you break that "habit" its really hard to start it up again.  Am I right?

This time around I didn't take any time off.  I was back to the gym Monday morning, and yes I was exhausted and my body NEEDED naps that first week, and I have honestly fallen asleep by 9 pm every night but that hasn't stopped me.  I have been hitting the gym as hard as my tired body will allow me to.  I think that mentally that has helped me so MUCH.  Is my diet great?  No.  Am I tired?  Yes. Its okay because I know that I am staying on my routine.  I thrive on routines.  I actually don't like not having one (summer is always a huge adjustment for me and my kids).  Post show blues... you are not welcome here any more!

Good start!

I started my day off good.  For breakfast I had an egg sandwich (1 egg cooked over medium on top of a sandwich thin, toasted) with a slice of low fat swiss cheese.  Mmmm... good!

Then I hit the gym.  I wasn't in the mood to be on a treadmill (surprise) and I wasn't in the mood for Bodypump either so I pulled out that cardio circuit I did the other day and changed it up just a little bit.  Here is how it went

Jumping Jacks (fast) 60
Spiderman push ups (hands on bosu) 20
Jump Lunges 30
Kettle ball swings (20 lbs) 20
Body weight squats (fast and super low) 20
Mountain Climbers (with hands on bosu) 40
Burpees 10
High Knees 50

I did this 4 times.  I wasn't really paying attention to the time but I think it took me about 40 minutes.. ish!  Tonight is Bunco, I am looking forward to some girl time.  I get to hang out with two of my sisters and my bestie Teresa along with some other fab girls!  Whoop!

Mmmm....

It has been a busy weekend for us.  With two birthdays last week you can imagine all the sweets and cakes that have been floating around my house.  Not so good on the booty but what can ya do?  You have to live a little right?  Sigh.

So far I have made a couple of the recipes I posted about a while ago that I was dying to try.  We had a family dinner last night so it was the perfect opportunity to make some yummy treats and not eat them all myself ;).

I made the Mini Pumpkin Pies from Dashing Dish.
I did two batches of the mini pumpkin pies, one as per recipe but for me they just came out way too sweet, it asked for 1 cup of splenda or sugar.  I cut that in half the second batch and they tasted perfect, I also doubled up on the wontons for the second batch.  One just didn't quite fill my muffin tins so I used two and got that pretty look I was hoping for!

I also made the Sopapilla Cheesecake Bars from Cookies and Cups.  Both were hits.  I did make a few changes to this recipe as well.    With the Cheesecake Bars I used a splenda/sugar baking mixture in the filling in place of sugar and used regular sugar for the topping.  I just wanted to make it a little more friendly on the waistline.  They turned out great though.  Mine weren't nearly as pretty as the "pro's" but tasted yummy!

Now these have my attention.... Chubby Hubby Bars... Oh yeah!

And how cute is this?  I am thinking this would be a fun treat for the kids... Spooky Eyes Pretzel Bark Cookies and Cups is one of my absolute favorite blogs for food porn.  I get a rush every time I look at it ;)

In other news... on the food front (like as in real food) mine has been as follows...
Breakfast has either been my favorite Oatmeal cake with cut up fruit and sugar free syrup or Almond butter or cereal.  I know.  I can't stop myself.

Lunch has been the same every day.  I take a sandwich thin, put a little mayo, mustard, turkey and some low fat swiss cheese, spray some butter on both sides and grill it up.  YUM.  I can't get enough of it.  Today on the side I had a handful (or three) of Pop Chips.  Anyone tried them?  LOVE.

Dinner has been whatever I feel like making.  It hasn't been super healthy.  Not gonna lie.  With family dinners and birthdays its been crap.

Snacks have been either carb master yogurt (so good) or fruit for the most part.  I have had cookies here and there and little "treats" but nothing too crazy.  Mostly home made (which means it has been altered to be a little better for you).

All I can say is I am so glad that Birthdays are done for a while around here.  Happy to get all this crap out of my house so I can not be tempted any more.  There is still a half a cake, and a carton of ice cream any takers?

Fall is here!

 Utah.  Oh... Utah... how I have missed the beauty of these mountains.  As much as I complain about the winter and being cold... this makes it all worth it.  Moving back has been hard on me, but I swear I have never seen anything quite so beautiful!  For Peytons Birthday we went on a hike, the weather was unreal, 77 degrees.  How could we pass up that opportunity?  We told the kids we were going geo caching so to be looking for the treasure.  My husband hid one of Peytons presents and he found it, he was so excited.  And confused.  Ha.  He says we are the best actors ever and we should be in movies.  Hear that Hollywood?

Oh my gosh... Roblox gift cards... and yes.. he needs a haircut... badly.  

Our attempt at a family photo.  While RUSHING to my spot I banged me knee on my husbands knee.  OUCH!  It really hurt!

I can't get enough of these colors.  I was just blown away today driving around admiring the BRIGHT beautiful leaves.  I love fall!

Seriously... look at this... incredible!

The view of the Temple from the hill!

Birthday Boy!

I can't believe I have an 11 year old.  It can't be real.  They grow up too fast.  Way too fast.  Peyton is such a great kid.  He is smart, funny, and loving.  He is very artistic, and good at it!  He is always the one to stick up for his friends, or his sister (unless we are at home, ha ha ha).  My kids are polar opposites.  Peyton is my serious kid.  He actually reminds me a little of myself.  He is quiet, neat and tidy and a thinker.  I remember as a very young toddler he would ask questions that just blew my mind.  Always thinking.  Always wanting to learn.  He loves video games, computers, reading, and would rather be home than anywhere else.  My little homebody :)  Here are some fun pictures of Peyton.

 I kid you not, 80% of pictures between age 4-8 he is dressed up as Spiderman

So handsome!

Peyton made this "rock band" out of bendaroo's... pure talent!

His goofy side

I love this kid!

Happy Birthday my sweet little (big) man!  Love you so much, I hope your day is the best.  You can bet there will be Pizza eating, and some cake too!  His favorites!

Burn....

I had such a great workout today!  The hubby was home from work so we went to the gym together.  I wasn't sure what I wanted to do, a shoulder workout or some sort of circuit.  I am glad I did what I did, even though he laughed at me the whole time.

5 minute warmup

60 jumping jacks
20 spiderman push ups
30 walking lunges
20 body weight squats (fast)
40 mountain climbers
10 burpees
50 high knees

Repeat 2-4 times

I was able to get through this (barely) 4 times.  I was a sweaty hot mess when I was finished but man it felt so good.  I did rest between each circuit for a minute or two, otherwise I didn't stop until I was done.  Burn baby burn!

Tore up...

The roof of my mouth is KILLING me.  Its funny because for the last oh... two months?  I have basically been eating only Fish, Chicken, Oatmeal, egg whites and veggies... mostly cooked veggies.  All pretty "soft" food.  Salads are about as crunchy as its gotten.  Well... this week having added in a few "treats" like wheat thins, pretzels, cereal and a couple of other things my jaw has been SO sore from having to work so hard to chew stuff and the roof of my mouth is raw, its tore up.  Isn't that crazy?  Nuts I tell ya.  It hasn't stopped me though, sigh!

Well here we are week one post show.  My workouts have been great.  I haven't missed a day at the gym yet.  I have gone even when I didn't want to go, but my diet... oh... that hasn't been so fantastic.  Basically all I have eaten is carbs, and more carbs.  BREAD mostly.  I do really well afternoon but breakfast and lunch are the tough ones for me.  Its okay, I am giving myself this week to be a little "free" and next week starts my new plan.  Clean eating and a cheat meal every week.  I want to see what I can get this body to do over the next 6 months.

My husband just got back from a business trip to our old stomping grounds (California).  I am SO jealous.  Not only did he get to go work out at my old gym (I miss that place and everyone there) he got to go hang out with these two lovely people.

This is Grandma and Grandpa, my husbands Grandparents but I swear they were made to be MINE :)  I absolutely adore them and enjoyed living in California because we got to spend a lot of time with them.  He also had a very interesting conversation with someone at the gym.  An older woman started talking with him while they were in the hot tub.  They somehow got on the topic of religion (never a good idea in my book).  She went on to tell my husband that he is going to Hell, along with his family.  Nice.  I hate that people have to be like that.  I would NEVER assume that just because someone isn't the same faith as me that it was my place to tell them they were going to Hell.  She also said that she has a "gift" and that we would have a baby boy sometime in the next year.  Uh... not if I can help it... and I am pretty sure I can ;)  ha ha ha.  I told my husband that he needs to stay out of hot tubs, because doesn't he know that Satan has control of water? LOL!  Sheesh!  Anyway, he is home.  For now.  I hate when he travels.

Well I am off to pick up the kids from school and start mommy duty!  Hope you are all having a great week, I can't believe its almost the weekend already!

Dinner as a family

Now comes the part that I think every competitor struggles with... the "off season"... there aren't any more competitions (locally) until Spring.  Which means... I have to figure out a plan for now until then.  That plan can't be living in limbo.  I need some structure, a goal.  I think for me my main goal is to maintain (and if I lose a few I won't complain) a good weight.  I want to focus on really leaning out my legs.  I don't know how I will do this just yet. These legs of mine have never been easy for me to figure out.  I naturally have very muscular legs without really putting too much effort into them, but that is also where I carry all my extra fat and I have learned that lots and lots of cardio really does help them lean out, HOWEVER I can't spend my entire off season only doing cardio.  Can I?  My upper body also gets very "muscular" very easily.  I don't know the route I will take at this point.  I just know that I need to come up with a plan because this whole "take it as I go" thing just isn't cutting it for me.  I feel like a lost soul ;)  I guess my main concern is figuring out what the right amount of cardio vs. weights should be for me, and really what the heck do they want from us Bikini girls?  The pro's are all a little more muscular but in these shows they are picking the "softer" girls in some cases... so what do I do?

As far as my diet goes, it will not be as strict.  I ate dinner with my family the other night, as in I ate what I made for them... not what I made for me while they ate what I made for them.  It was the WEIRDEST thing ever.  My husband was dishing up his plate and he looked at me and said "oh, are you eating the same thing as us?" and I said "um... yeah... I am" and he said "oh... okay... I am just not used to saving any food for anyone else!"  LOL.. then my kids both said "MOM, your eating the same thing as us!" as excited as could be.  It has been a really long time since I haven't made two meals every night.  I kinda liked it.  So, my plan will be of course to eat clean, but allow myself that little bit of freedom to enjoy myself and eat with my family here and there too!

Show recap!

Night before the Show:

This time around was a lot less stressful for me, I spent the majority of my day resting, and packing.  I had already had most of my stuff still packed from two weeks before so really it wasn't a long process.  I had my food prepped Thursday night and ready to go.  I just wanted it to be easier on me this time around.  Friday night I became the worlds largest hemorrhoid, ha ha ha... thanks so much to Melissa for some suggestions I covered my body in Preparation H (legs, butt and abs) and wrapped myself as tight as I could with saran wrap and hit the sack at about 10 pm.  I didn't sleep well AT ALL.  I woke up around 1:15, 2:15 and again at 2:49 at that point I decided to just get up.  So, I kept myself busy until it was time to go at 7:15 with hair, tanning and makeup.  Had a little oatmeal before I left too.

Day of the show:

I seriously STINK at remembering to take photos.  I didn't get any of my beautiful friends and I backstage.  What is wrong with me?  I blame it on the dehydration.  LOL!  My day was incredible though.  We had to be there at 7:45am, show started at 9 and Bikini division was FIRST.  That was a little strange for me.  In my past experiences it was either in the middle or towards the end.  Not complaining.  We were done by 10:30 and got to sit and watch the rest of the prejudging.

Sandy applying glaze, almost show time!

The best part about being one of the first groups out was that you don't have hours of sitting and waiting to build up the nerves and anticipation.  I was very calm, SHOCKER and I was able to control the shaking.  SHEW!  There were 13 girls in my class.  It was a pretty big class especially for a Utah competition.  During prejudging they didn't even have us do our model walk.  We came out together as a group, did comparisons, and left... as a group.  I was in the first call outs, but the way they place you on stage here is very different than what I am used to.  Again, in past shows for me you know when you walk off that stage exactly where you placed.  I had no freaking clue, and I hate surprises so I was going a little bit loony all day wondering.  From where I was on stage we assumed it was 3rd.

The night show started at 5:30, order was the same as in prejudging so Bikini was first (whoop) and again the way they did it was very different than what I am used to.  They lined ALL Bikini competitors up in numerical order and one by one no matter what class/division we were in we went out and did our model walk, and exited the stage.  After everyone had a chance to "shine" they called out the top 5 in each division and placed us. I was placed second in my class.  I was surprised because all day I had it in my head that I was probably in third.  It was a great show though.  All of the BBS (Body by Sandy) girls placed really well.

BBS Crew (I am on the far left)

BBS Crew with Sandy Hancock (I am on the far left)

My new lady... second place!

Back pose!

Sandy Hancock and I, she is pretty incredible!

After the show we picked up the kids from my mom's house and went to Pizza Factory with some friends for dinner.  DELISH.  It was exactly what I wanted.  We ordered a few of those amazing HUMONGOUS breadsticks, and between the 4 of us we shared a small pizza, and even had a few pieces to bring home.  No dessert.  We were all too full from the pizza!  

I am planning on competing again in the Spring, and hope to get FIRST this time.  I am moving my way up the ladder, only one more spot to go!  Whoop!

Eight...

This may not be the post some of you were hoping for but I couldn't NOT share my beauties special day (plus I am still waiting on a few pictures from the show).  Today my baby girl turned 8 today.  Yes EIGHT... where has the time gone?  Honestly!  Here are just a few of my favorite pictures of her... 

 Scaring her brother... this is totally HER ;)

 Getting ready for one of many dance recitals.  She loves the stage too!

Her school play, she was the Queen... if the shoe fits!

The girl grew up on the beach, loved it from day one!

I get this face.... a lot.... still cute though

another dance recital

With one of her best friends from Cali

Isn't she cute?  

Today she turns 8, we opted for cupcakes.  Easier.

She wanted her ears pierced.  Guess what?  We ALL survived.  All she did was say "ow!"

These next two pictures totally show her craziness... she is such a goofy kid

Look mom, my ears are pierced....

Have to admit... makes her look even older.  She is beautiful!

Pajha is quite possibly one of the best kids I know.  She can make me a little nutty but she is full, and I mean full to the brim of ENERGY, she is always smiling, always laughing, always talking and always fun.  She is very outgoing and loves to please people.  She is funny and witty and constantly surprises us with her quirky comments.  Plus she likes to clean toilets.  I think I will keep her.  She is however the EXTREME of whatever emotion she is feeling. Mad?  Extremely.  Happy?  Extremely.  Sad?  Oh boy.  You never have to wonder what she is thinking.  She tells you.  I love this little girl with all my heart.  Now stop growing up will ya?  Love you my baby girl!