Like new (at least to us!)

So Jeff and I did a little work on our master bathroom this past weekend. Just a few minor changes that make a world of difference for us! Check it out!

BEFORE

AFTER (tada!)

Lots of love,

The Grady's

Double Excitement!

My best friend from college, Temma, and her husband Dror, welcomed two beautiful, healthy baby boys this afternoon into their lives. Temma has been on bedrest for over a month now and successfully made it to 35 weeks before delivery. Asher and Coleman Nanas weighed in at 4lbs 12ozs, 4 lbs 5 ozs respectively. Mom and babies are doing great!

I will share pictures when I get them....I can't wait to see the little guys!

Congrats Nanas Family!!!

Lots of love,
The Grady's

Boot Camp

So for the past four weeks, Jeff and I have been getting up, on alternating days, at 4:45am to go to Boot Camp. Yes, you read that right, Boot Camp. We had read about it in paper, heard about it from others, and finally looked it up online. It is called Desert Adventure Boot Camp. It is a exercise regime that goes three days a week from 5:30-6:30am. It started as a woman's camp designed to jump start a workout routine, but has exploded into 2 woman's camps and a men's camp.

A day at camp resembles something like this: Running anywhere from 1-4 miles, squats, lunges, weight training, squats, sit ups, push ups, squats, jumping rope, squats (did I already mention those?) and everything in between. It is like nothing either of us have ever done before. At first I thought I was crazy, and yes other's called me crazy. But, after about 2 sessions, I was addicted and couldn't wait to go back. Each night Jeff and I talk about how great we have felt that day, because of the good workout in the morning. Both of our energy levels have increased throughout the day.

Part of camp is a pre and post evaluation of your body, weight, body fat %, measurements, etc. I just did my post evaluation last Friday and if I wasn't convinced of the health benefits before, I sure am now. I have gained 8 pounds of muscle and lost 6 pounds of fat (how gross is that!?!). I have lowered my body fat % by 8% points. And I have lost 1 1/2 inches to my waist! Amazing.

And the craziest part about all of this....we are signing up for the next session! It starts this coming Monday after Thanksgiving, and I can't wait!

Lots of love,
The Grady's

A "hoppy" visitor

Emerson came home from school with a little stuffed friend on Friday. Each student has a turn in taking home the class "pet" Froggy for the weekend. You are supposed to take Froggy with you everywhere you go and take photos of your time spent with him. At the end of the weekend are supposed to journal about your experience with Froggy and add pictures to show to the class.

We had a great time including Froggy into our weekend, until of course I had to get the pictures for the journal pages. After three stores and finally a cooperative computer at Walgreen's we finished the journal and Emerson can share her adventures tomorrow in class.

Lots of love,
The Grady's

Girl's Weekend

It all started three years ago, the girls wanting a weekend to get away and get some uninterrupted scrapbooking time. We searched online and found this amazing ranch in the Santa Ynez foothills. Now, three years later we continue to head up to "Ree's House" to enjoy being pampered. YOu can check out her place at www.cricketcanyonranch.com. Ree is so wonderful to us each year, cooking great meals and just making us feel comfortable and relaxed. This year, some of the usual group was unable to make it. So it was myself, my mom, my sister, Tif, and her mom. After a bit of a long drive up there (took 1 hour longer than usual) we settled in nicely and had a fantastic weekend.
We had massages, went wine tasting, and of course, scrapbooked. I actually completed 32 pages! A record for me, but a good thing since I was so far behind and now feel a bit more caught up. Once again Ree did not disappoint and the trip rejuvenated all of us.
Pictures to come soon....they are on Tif's camera since I forgot mine...yep that's right, I forgot mine and Tif had hers (I will NEVER live that one down!)

Lots of love,
The Grady's

Ghosts and Witches and Fairies and Pirates

Halloween has never been a favorite holiday of mine. Not sure if it is the whole scary factor, or the fact that you have to dress up (really not a fan), or something else, but I really have never loved the holiday. Well, I think that might be starting to change...having kids does that to a person. The kids were so excited about Halloween and trick-o-treating and dressing up in their costumes.


I decided to put on my "Mom" hat for the day, and volunteer at Emerson's school. Which of course means that I had to call in "sick" at work, but it was well worth it. With both kids dressed, we dropped Brennan off at Patty's and headed to school. The kids began their day as normal with their flag salute and prayer and then inside their classrooms. Myself and the parents who were there to volunteer began to set up their own preschool carnival. We walked all 4 preschool classes through the carnival games. Then I went into Emerson's classroom to pass out snacks and help the teachers get ready for the school parade. The preschool and Kinder classes parade through the rest of the school showing off their great costumes. Then back to Em's classroom. It is now 11:30 am and I am reminded once again why I teach 8-9 year olds and not 4 year olds. Phew, I was exhausted!


Trick or treating that night was an experience all in itself. We were invited to our good friend's house for their annual Halloween dinner and trick or treating adventure. Turned out to be about 40 adults and almost an equal number of kids. Picture this, 30ish kids walking up to your door, all dressed, buckets ready for that yummy candy....yep, did that for about 12-15 houses! The looks on some people's faces were classic. The kids scored on buckets of candy (great, just what we need at home!) and plenty of great Halloween memories too.

Our Fairy Butterfly

Our Pirate

Lots of love,

The Grady's