19 Years Ago Today

19 years ago today Coco Danielle Nichols was born. We had tried for 3 years to get pregnant and then it happened and months later our sweet little blessing was born at 11:09 am. This is the first picture of Coco. She was born with what looked like a bikini bottom tan line. That is ink on her feet from the prints they took.

This is Coco at almost a month old Love those huge eyes!
Coco at around 2 years old. At this age she loved to empty out her dresser drawers and change her clothes.
Coco at 3 with her favorite book.
This is Coco in kindergarten. She was so scared to go to school.
I don't dare share any pictures of her teen years or else she might posts some scary pictures of me! he he
There for I will post this picture of Coco, Kyle and Talmage (baby Peanut in tummy).
Such a sweet little family!
Happy 19th Birthday Coco. Hope you have a wonderful day and all your wishes come true.
Hugs, Bobbi Jo

Extreme Makeover: Me Edition

http://amberfilkins.blogspot.com/

(To join in on the fun just click on to picture)
Boy this week has gone by fast and to be honest with you I am kind of happy. I am done with the Arizona summer heat ready for cooler weather. I know this won't happen till October but I am so ready. I am also ready for school to be back in full swing and back to routine.
I didn't do so good on the exercise this week while on vacation I did a little bit of walking but not a full blown cardio workout. Eating wasn't at the top of great either. Ate out but tried to make the best choices I could.
My results are no weight loss or gain so that is okay. I have how ever lost 2 inches in my hips, 1/2 inch on each thigh, 1/2 inch on each arm and 1 inch on each calf. The scale is not making me crazy anymore I am seeing the results of cardio and weight lifting and I am very happy with this. I am feeling good despite fighting a sore throat that seems to be traveling through our family along with a feeling of fighting sickness off . I am chugging along on my quest for a fit, firm and lean body.
For this week I will be eating more clean non processed food and not eating out, water intake will be upped, cardio will continue along with the weights but I am going to push myself more with the weights this week.
My main focus right now is to drop the body fat so I can find the muscle that I know is hiding under there. I want definition of my muscles not flab.
Hope everyone else is doing great I will be around to check out blogs a little later. I have a few errands to take care of earlier in the day before it gets too hot outside. Hugs, Bobbi Jo
P.S. I forgot to add this
I did a 14 minute mile on the treadmill!! Not bad for a grandma of 45. LOL!!!

A Bunch To Catch Up On

I have been out of town and I have bunch to catch up on. First of all I forgot to post my Pink Saturday pictures so that will be coming this Saturday. Sorry for that Beverly!
Friday afternoon we left for our family vacation to the white mountains in Pinetop, Arizona. Coco, Kyle and Talmage left earlier in the day and had Dallas and E'lyse drive up her car and they took Kyle's truck. Since Kyle leaves in two weeks to go to boot camp his truck will be stored at his parents house. Alan had some work to finish up so we didn't get out of here until 4ish. We had Faith and Gabby with us. It was a nice trip. We went through the Salt River Canyon. This canyon is about 2,000 ft. down and it is beautiful. Here are a few pictures of it

This canyon is pretty big and a little scary at times. My pictures don't do it justice. As you are going down the one side you can look over at the other side where there is a car that is on the side of the cliff from a while back. Yes a little scary!
As we got out of the canyon we hit some wonderful rain clouds then a storm.

This made the ride even better.

We got into Pinetop between 8:30 and 9. It had been raining and smelled so good and was a wonderful 60

This sure beats the high 70's and 80's in the evening in the valley. Sleeping with the windows wide open is the best.

This is the cabin that is owned by my mother in love and where we lived for a year and a half.

This cabin has 2 bedrooms, 1 bath, kitchen dining combo and living room. The second cabin that was the original here but rebuilt about 19 years ago it has a loft, 1 bedroom, bathroom and washer & dryer area.

and the tree house that the kiddos all love to play in The back yard is the reservation.

We loved living here but job wise couldn't make it. Anyway we lived here all 7 of us in a little over 1100 square feet of home. Pinetop is a wonderful place to visit and live the people are wonderful and the land is just breathtaking.

Saturday Dallas went away with one of his friends from up there for the day. Alan, E'lyse, Faith , Gabby and I went to do a little shopping for groceries and out shooting.

Of course I have pictures to share:

This is Faith and Alan shooting the 22.
E'lyse shooting and Gabby getting pointers from Dad.

Then came the fun guns I shot the Glock it was a blast! Notice my evil face. I love shooting things and watching them blow up or just dance around. He He He

E'lyse took her turn. She is not wild about shooting guns and this one had a little bit of kick and was loud.

We then shot the 357

This gun was great to shoot with no kick at all. E'lyse and Faith wouldn't give it a try but Gabby wanted to she only shot once but she did it.

Then Alans turn to shoot

After cleaning up our things we went back to the cabin to hang out. We have pizza and watched the movie "Confessions of a Shopaholic". It was a cute movie and great shoes!

Sunday we got up had breakfast and got ready to go to church. We went to church and came back home. After lunch while the rest of the family was watching TV I decided to take a nap. I fell asleep quickly and woke to the rain. How I love to nap while it rains.

In the evening after dinner we all loaded into the van to go spotlighting. Alan and Dallas each armed with a spot light out the front window. The 3 girls and I piled into the middle seat so we could all see. We are a bunch of dorks!

We got back to the cabin a little earlier that wanted due to both spotlights having problems staying on. But we did see a couple of heard of elk. They are such beautiful animals.

We got back to the cabin and we made smores. It was fun but everyone was really tired due to bedtimes not being given on vacation.

This morning Alan took E'lyse and Gabby fishing to a place called Scot's Reservoir but no luck getting any fish. The girls had a good time anyway. We cleaned up the cabin and headed back down to the valley to meet up with the heat and sun.

It was a good vacation and it is always fun to get away. But as the saying goes "There's no place like home!"

I hope everyone is having a wonderful Monday and had a great weekend. I will be around to catch up on blogs and emails in the next two days.

Hugs, Bobbi Jo

The Perfect Food

This is the Perfect Food

I had read about this on one of my friends blogs awhile back (sorry it is private) and then just recently found it on a new blog friends blog Kelly Olexa. She is big into fitness, positive and a beautiful gal. Anyway it has so much packed into it that is great for your optimum health. So I got some on Monday. (It is on sale till the end of the month at Sprouts). I made some up and drank it down. Now to explain the taste. My son-in-love that is going in to the Airforce will be eating things that I am sure taste similar to this as he will be learning then teaching how to forge off the land and live on it. This stuff smells like rabbit pelets. The taste is real strong of alphalpha and weeds. Enough said it makes me bend over and get the goosebumps everytime I drink it. If it wasn't so good for me I would skip it. So I decided to mix it with this
Now this helped a little.

 

This is it all mixed up. Anyone want some swamp water? he he

So now on to what is in this Perfect Food:

46 phytonutrient-Dense Superfoods

13 Sprouted Ingredients

Fermented Whole Food INgredients and

10 Probiotic Strains (this is the biggy). Google Probiotics and read about what a great thing this is.

It has more greens per serving than other greed food formulas. Made with vegetable, sprout and organic cereal grass.

I am going to continue with this on a daily bases and see what happens. I know I don't eat enough fruits and vegatables so this might be the way to get them. Next time though I will get the tablets! 

Had a kick butt workout and feel awesome! My energy was through the roof this morning even after not enough sleep. I think this taking care of myself is paying off. 

Hope everyone is have a great day! Hugs, Bobbi Jo

Look What I Won

A while back I left a comment on Rachel's blog Not-So-Plain Jane not realizing that I was entered into a drawing for this sweet little purse.
Who wouldn't love this sweet little black and white checkered purse and look on the inside so pretty!
So gorgeous! Rachel did a wonderful job and has the tutorial here . And you might notice all the wonderful little treats that she sent with it. Some beautiful cards, a happy little change purse and a 21 assorted nickle plated needles and threader package. Thank you so much Rachel! I love all of the sweet treats you sent me! Hugs, Bobbi Jo

Extreme Makeover: Me Editon

You can join in over at Ambers blog {aefilkins}. Amber has been having some tough times lately that I can totally understand, been there and have the mental scares to prove it. Please keep her in your prayers.
The question for today:
How are you doing?
(Sorry for the repeat of those who follow me on my other blog!)
 This past week of working through not feeling good but doing my workouts the best I could paid off. I lost another 2 pounds. I am feeling good and I am seeing results a little at a time.
Something I noticed yesterday is that I have definition in my calves and my ankle actually looks like it is an ankle not just an extension of my calf, you now all one size. I am also seeing loss in my waist and thighs. YEAH!! I am enjoying the cardio workouts and weights. I love weight lifting!
My eating has been good and I have been drinking a lot of water.
This weekend we are headed up north so I need to make sure and pack healthy goodies for me to snack on to keep on track.
This week I will continue with my workouts and on the days I feel like doing extra I will and I will push myself a little harder.
I will continue with the water, clean eating and extra workouts here and there.
Have a great day! Hugs, Bobbi Jo

Making My Home Sing And Menu Plan Monday

For this weeks Making My Home Sing I will be getting the house and children ready for the new school year. Starting with regiment. Bedtimes have been WAY too late and getting up WAY to late. Although I like the quiet time in the mornings I feel the need to start going to bed early and getting up earlier. Also getting the bedrooms organized and ready for homework time and easily getting ready in the mornings without screaming of " WHERE IS THIS OR THAT? " This is what I am working on this week. If you want to read more about this go check out Christians blog Moms The Word to read about what making your home sing is all about.

This weeks menu will be easy & healthy food. I am still working on it so I will post it later. With it being past 116 most days I will put my crock pot to work and a lot of cooler meals.

I appreciate all the well wishes for me thank you so much you sweet blogging friends . I slept off and on till a little after 10 am yesterday and boy did my body need it. Got up got ready for church and didn't make it through all 3 meetings came home at the last one and slept some more. I just took it easy yesterday and feel so much better this morning.
Got up at 4 and made lunches for hubby and son for work. I did my hour long cardio and will do another half hour later along with my upper body workout.
I am so glad to be having more energy and no head pain. YEAH!! Let's all give a big cheer to good health! WHOOT HOOT
I have a few errands to run today, master bedroom/bath wash day, taking daughters shopping and workout so I better get busy.
Have a great day! Hugs, Bobbi Jo

New Business

My brother Mark and his wife Renee just got their web site up and running for their business. Go check it out at Sugarbee Signs. They make custom made signs that are beautiful and at a reasonable price. Do you remember these signs:

 

 These are the wonderful signs they made for my home.

So if you are looking for a special saying, or a gift for a someone they can help you with that gift. They are creative and they take pride in their work. 

Hugs, Bobbi Jo

Fighting This

The last few days I have been running a fever off and on. This morning I was on the treadmill and within 10 minutes I was sweating so bad but I finished my hour. I am fighting this whatever it is with all I got. I don't like my energy being down like it has.
  Coco, Kyle and Talmage went to Sedona on Tuesday and are coming back today. Coco text me on Tuesday evening and said it was beautiful. I just thought to myself I know. If you ever get to vistit Arizona you need to see Sedona the red rock country. It is breathtaking and a great place for a creative person to get charged. There is a lot of artist that live there or come to visit.
So for the rest of the day I will be taking it easy. Besides making dinner I will hang out and rest.
Hope everyone is having a great day! Hugs, Bobbi Jo

Etreme Makeover: Me Edtion

If you go and check out Amber's blog {aefilkins} you can join in on this Extreme Makeover: Me Edition. She has some great videos of Kelly Ripas work outs. You know Kelly she is the host of the Regis and Kelly Show. She is so tiny and buff. She looks great!

This weeks question is : What's been inspiring to you??

For me there is many things that can inspire me. One would be seeing Kelly Ripa who is my age and looks so good. And I think if she can do it I can too!
I love talking to people who are in the fitness industry. I just met an X pro wrestler Jimmy Snuka (you know the WWF kind of guy) who is starting up his personal training and bootcamps with the two guys from the Biggest Loser who live here in Arizona, Filipe and Sione. This is inspires me.
But the biggest inspiration I would have to say comes from inside me and the drive I can give myself. You can be positive or negative. Is a matter of deprogramming the negative to be positive. Okay I will be honest when the numbers go down on the scale or on the tape mesure it can inpsire me big time.
I will be checking out the other great bloggers who are participateing in today.
This week:
Continueing on the major cardio workout
Weightlifting
Drinking plenty of water
Clean or naked eating
Upping the veggie intake
Hugs, Bobbi Jo

Sunday

Sunday after church hubby and I went on a ride together just the two of us . We went up to the mountains hoping to hit a rain storm. We did hit a little bit of rain and it smelled so good and felt wonderful. It was a lovely 64 compared to the 116 here in the valley.
We drove to a place called Potato Lake. Silly me left my camera in the truck and didn't realize till we had walked out to the lake. So no pictures of it but I am sure we will go back up. It was very sucluded and beautiful.

 As we were driving out to the highway we say two gorgeous bull elk. So I took these of them   

Sorry I couldn't get any closer to them. They were good size elk.
 We had a good time talking and enjoying the beauty of the pines.
Hugs, Bobbi Jo

Happy Pink Saturday

Happy Pink Saturday to everyone! I am a little late posting today. I love this Harley Sticker I think it is especially pretty with the pink on it.

Another picture of the flowers hubby got me the other week.
This is especially for my sweet blog snuggie wearing stalker Kristina over at Pulsipher Predilections . Saw this at Target and thought of you! I didn't know they came in Pink. I might have to get one just because of the color.
Have wonderful Pink Saturday! Hugs, Bobbi Jo

Not Much

This week not to much has gone on out of the normal. Alan has had work and Dallas is working with him. They did a roofing job at the beginning of the week, so much fun to do in Arizona in July! NOT! It has been hot and humid. And I don't care how dry the humidity is it is yucky!
I forgot on Wednesday to report on weight. I lost 4 ounces. So that is okay. I have done my workouts regularly and I know this is what is the most important. I did my leg workout yesterday and found a great new exercise for the hamstrings that was very effective. I did just the right amount of a work out my legs can feel that I worked them but I can still sit down without screaming. he he I also have lost 2 inches on my thighs in the last month. I am thrilled about this. So much more to be done and I will get there.
Tonight is Friday and date night. Not sure how this will go tonight we got up at 4 but hubby was awake way before he got out of bed. So probably a nice relaxing night.
I am glad it is Friday and hope everyone has a great day. Hugs, Bobbi Jo

Extreme Makeover: Me Edition

Today is Wednesday and time for Extreme Makeover: Me Edition. You can check over at {aefilkins} blog to see what everyone who participates are doing. Today's question is :

Share with us some of your vacation survival strategies
I didn't too good with this on my last trip but I will share what I know is a good plan.
If possible make your menu ahead of time. Even better would be to take your food with you including snacks. This makes temptation less likely to hit. Always have water with you and drink, drink, drink.

I am doing pretty good. I haven't missed a workout. I just love getting on the treadmill with my iPod and cruising. I also have been doing my upper body and lower body weight work outs.
I haven't been getting enough sleep. I am feeling it so I will be working harder to get the rest that I need.
Eating is okay not perfect and I need to concentrate on clean or naked eating. This doesn't mean that I eat naked although that could motivate me to not eat so much. Eww! Not!
These will be the things I work on this week. I will be over to check out how everyone is doing.
Hugs, Bobbi Jo

Monday

On Monday Alan asked if I wanted to go on some errands with him. So we headed off to the peridontist to check his mouth out. Then we headed out to see a house that he had helped refurbish with one of his buddies. The house is in Paradise Valley. This is one of the higher end communities in Arizona. We then went to pick up supplies at the Homedepot. On our way out I spotted a Harley Davidson store. Alan asked if I wanted to go see them and of course I said yes. The store is Hacienda Harley Davidson in Scottsdale, Arizona . It was heaven! With in 10 minutes I was on my dream bike (minus the custom paint job )

Sorry so fuzzy it was from my cell phone. This bike fit so good and I really didn't want to get off and I couldn't stop smiling while sitting on it. The salesman Jim Eisler, was so awesome so if you are in Arizona and in the market for a sweet bike go talk to him . We talked with him for over and hour about the different bikes, the engines and all the changes that can be made to make a custom bike. We saw so many gorgeous bikes but this is the one that I fell in love with. Maybe next picture I'll be cruising on the street.

Hugs, Bobbi Jo

Weekend

This weekend wasn't a great weekend but a good one. We normally go to the cool country for the fireworks but this year hubby had work so we stayed in town. I woke up Saturday morning wanting to go on a road trip but new it wasn't going to happen. E'lyse got home from girls camp Saturday afternoon.

This is after I picked her up. She had a great time but said it was too short. They only had 4 days this year. But she was exhosted and slept most of the afternoon.

On Saturday night we had a cookout but ate inside due to the heat. We had hotdogs and chicken with pasta salad, chips and apple/cherry pies with icecream for desert. 

When the fireworks started we went out front and sat in the back of Alan's truck and watched them. Coco was the photographer who took these great shots.

Talmage spotted the fireworks

Talmage caught on with the pointing.

Dallas and me 
 

The gang minus hubby who went inside and Coco photographer

 

We are lucky enough to have Schnepf Farms close to us to enjoy the fireworks with out having to leave the house. 

Sunday was spent in the usual way going to church and then hanging out at home. We have had a bug hit our house and causeing stomach problems. So far Dallas, Talmage and Coco have been effected. I am hoping that no one else get's it. 

Now time for a great week. So I better get moving. Have a great day! 

Hugs, Bobbi Jo