Meanwhile...While we are waiting for Spring

 The boys had a late night party with night sledding (hence the headlamps that everyone is wearing).

 Alex lost his first tooth and wanted to keep it, but was concerned that he would not get the money if he asked for the tooth back!

 And Brett and McKaleigh went on a date to the daddy daughter dance

 We have been doing a pretty good job with our "clean eating" lifestyle.  I am proud to say that we have successfully limited our eating out to ONE time a month!  We are at the end of most of our processed foods (granola bars/fruit snacks etc...) and I have been replacing these items with homemade ones...there has been some pushback, but hey, the kids are not required to have snacks if they don't want them!  We have significantly increased our intake of things like spinach, artichokes, sundried tomatoes and other healthy things that liven up our menu! Its been an interesting experiment...and one we are still trying to keep up on!

A New Way...

 I am continuously forwarded messages regarding lifestyle changes from my health EXTREMIST parents.  In the past I have read through the messages and thought something along the lines of, "well, that sounds really great..." but never really incorporated any ideas into our family diet.  Although we eat very little meat around here, I have found that we are ALL sugar addicts!  Really, and truly addicted.  I believe I am the worst of them all!  We eat sugars at every meal, all day long...even when we think we are not.  So, when these movies were recommended, I watched them while riding the bike and running on the treadmill (I felt too guilty just watching them while sitting on my butt!). I don't think you can watch either of these movies without making significant changes in your families lives.  We have started the process of cleaning out our cupboards...we are down to our last processed granola bar, cookie, and other store bought lunch items.  You see, I thought I was being a "good mom" by having these goodies around the house for my children to pack in their lunches...but, no more.  They are completely happy to take greek yogurt, homemade granola, fruits and veggies or healthy (no sugar added) banana cookies. We are attempting a newer and healthy way.  Now, I am not saying that we have completely giving up all sugar...We still have dessert once a week and cheat here and there, but we have limited our "eating out" to once a month. What I am saying is that we are trying to learn a better way.  We have all signed up to run a 5K together in April, and hope to do more.  Instead of sitting around the Wii, Playstation, or watching movies in the evenings, we are going to the rec center and playing basketball, swimming or doing an workout video at home, and you know what...Its been fun and who doesn't want to live a longer, healthier life!? Wish us luck!