THE HILLS PARTY

So my BFF Katie, had the season premiere party of "THE HILLS" at her house!! This was exciting for all!! Katie made pizzookies that LOOKED sooooooo YUMMY!!! What a good hostess!!!

Julia helped her by putting the ice cream on top... I'm happy I got ONE picture of her SMILING!!

The other... NOT SO MUCH.

This was right after BREBA'S panic ATTACK!!! She wasn't going to postpone the party! Thanks Breba for not ruining that part! :)

And this is the entire gang... well... minus me. :) I HEART "THE HILLS!" CAN'T WAIT FOR "THE VALLEY!"

Two of April's MOST interesting moments...

One of the most interesting moments was my MOM! My mom fell off a MOVING golf cart. That's right MOVING!! My DAD thought she was on... but nope she was NOT!!! Anyways, she fell and hit her head and her head was HURTING a LOT!! Go figure. So I took her to the emergency room and my dad met us there and she had some test done. She's FINE now... no permanent damage. Just a bruised head. Just HAD to post this photo though!! hahahahaha!!

"Free Bird" hahahaha!! (no one will get that comment but my momma!!)

So the next FREAKY moment was BREBA... she had a MAJOR panic ATTACK!! I've NEVER seen anything like it... but you'll need to read her blog to find out what happened exactly. Actually, I think Breba AND Tara should write down there sides of the story!! I just wanted to post this picture because it makes me laugh too!!

Logan's 12th Birthday

LOGAN

I can't believe that Logan is 12!! Where did the time go??? Honestly, I remember getting the call while I was at school and rushing down to Thunderbird to see my new little nephew. He was and still is ADORABLE!! I AM SO BLESSED to have him as a nephew! He's such a HARD worker and he really does LOVE everyone around him. I could just snuggle that "kid"!!!

So we had a family dinner that was super YUMMY!! I made a lemon cake for Logan's special BIRTHDAY!! I am actually really proud of this lemon cake!! I am told that it's one of the BEST LEMON CAKES that my Dad and Brother-in-law have EVER had! Well, that makes me feel good! I wish I would have tried it... oh well... NEXT TIME!

So with Logan turning 12 I got to see my him receive the Aaronic Priesthood. This was a wonderful experience for me! I've never seen this before... because I have ALL SISTERS. So anyways my brother-in-law Aaron gave Logan the sweetest blessing. I'm so happy for Logan and the choices he has made in his life to receive this great calling. I know he will magnify his duties and continue to be such a blessing to his family and friends!

Logan, I LOVE YOU SOOOOO MUCH!! I am thankful that I'm ALLOWED to be your aunt!! Love you to the moon and back! XOXO!!

Pioneer Trek

As a lot of you know the singles branch R.S. went on a WOMANS PULL. It was fun to hangout and get to know some of the girls better in the branch through the preparation stages and the actual pull.

So first things first... WE HAD TO SEW OUR OUTFITS!! Ummm... well... I learned you have to have a LOT of PATIENCE when sewing and you MUST always have an EXPERT on hand to FIX your mistakes. HAHA! THANKS TRUDY!! I can't believe I didn't get a picture of Trudy... NEXT TIME!! :)

Breba was a BIG help as well... since she's so into sewing right now! :)

I will say that I WILL NEVER SEW A BONNET EVER AGAIN!! That was so HARD!! Although, I did love how my entire outfit turned out... I wanted it to look like one of Millie's dresses from "Seven Brides for Seven Brothers"... but it didn't. Oh well... maybe next time I will get the right shirt and make my skirt poof out like hers did.
NEXT TIME... HA!!

Here's the starting of our trek... Ashley and Shannon embrace in loving sisterhood in efforts to show the girls really what shoulder to shoulder means...

Breba... of course! Does this seem WRONG to anyone? She let the girls pull her
20 miles before she got off that thing!!

I LOVE the way my DOUBLE CHIN looks with the bonnet on. It really HIGHLIGHTS that feature.See!! I can pull too! that was actually really FUN!

Here we are to take our break and play get to know you games. We had a lot of FUN doing the orange roll. Don't these girls look so cute in the pioneer outfits!

Wendy, Kaitlyn (AKA Cook KK) and Megan

Getting the fire ready for our dinner, smores and devotional. Good job Kara. I think Bishop (AKA my dad), Lauren and Bernie really did a great job helping! :)Kaitlyn, I HAD to put this picture in... it looks like you're eating your hand! hahaha!! It really does make me giggle!

Mom and Dad getting ready for the devotional.

Breba trying to help my mom with a head light... haha! so funny!! Mom and Dad... You did an AWESOME job with the devotional! kudos to you!!

Campfire FUN!!

So right after the devotional and prayer it started raining... haha!! Now just so you know we're in the front yard of my house... haha! We couldn't leave and go out of town because of circumstances... so what would you do if it was raining? Would you A) sleep in a tent B) sleep on the floor in the house or C) sleep in your WARM comfortable bed. Well I chose (A)... haha! No I didn't I chose (C)!! I actually tried really hard to talk myself into sleeping in a tent outside with Kaitlyn... but when it came time to go to bed at 2am... it was raining HARD outside... I chose my comfy WARM bed that I had all to myself. HAHA!! Please FORGIVE me Kaitlyn for being so rude and not coming outside to sleep! :) I think it's better for everyone that I stayed inside! :)

Well, if anyone wants to go on a trek let me know... we can order roomservice next time! :)

It seems like EVERYONE wants to know...

I started a new diet that my Dad has in his office now on Tuesday. I want to drop the last of my weight! So anyways... when people ask me what I'm doing I really don't know how to explain it. So here it is...

It's called Ideal Protein!

The plan targets prevention and solutions for Syndrome X, also called the "metabolic syndrome." The Ideal Protein Plan is nothing like the typical diet that offers packaged foods. Ideal's instant packets are NOT the common meal replacements that contain a so-called "balance" of carbohydrates, fats and protein. Consuming carbohydrates promotes insulin production thereby promoting fat storage. For a balanced diet, consuming fats is very important, but for FAT LOSS, one must eliminate most fat from the diet for the initial stage of the program. Eating a "balanced diet" prevents the proper set up of the fat loss process in the body. One of the goals of Ideal Protein treatment is to cause the body to delve into its energy reserves- into stored fat- for its energy, thereby facilitating FAT LOSS.

Additionally, by virtually eliminating all highly-refined sugars and starches from your diet, the pancreas is afforded a rest since there is no need for it to produce much insulin, which happens to be its main function.

How it works
The typical American diet consisting of processed foods- refined sugars and starches such as bread, pasta, potatoes, snacks and sweets, etc.- overworks the pancreas. The pancreas must constantly pump out insulin to take care of all the sugar (or glucose) that makes up these foods. (Realize that a slice of bread is nothing but simple sugar; the same is true for potatoes, pasta, white rice and all other processed "white" foods, including breakfast cereals.) Example: One slice of bread has 21g of carbs, which equals 5 teaspoons of sugar.

It is important to understand that the minute carbohydrates are consumed, they are broken down into glucose in the bloodstream, and then whatever is not needed immediately for energy is swooped up by insulin, converted into fat and stored. Since it is the job of the pancreas to produce the insulin necessarty to remove glucose from the bloodstream (and store it as fat), eating a high-carbohydrate diet causes the pancreas to work overtime, to eventually become worn out or dysfunctional.

A dysfunctional pancreas produces exces insulin, resulting in a drastic drop in the blood sugar level (hypoglycemia), thereby leading to cravings of more sugar. Then, more sugar is consumed and the cycle starts over. Remember, insulin is the fat storage hormone- the hormone that converts the foods you've consumed into stored fat. Consequently, an overproduction of insulin leads to excess fat storage.

The body gets its fuel or energy from the three macronutrient sources: 1) carbohydrates, 2) protein, and 3) fat. The carbohydrate or glycogen energy reserves are used up first, followed by our protein and fat reserves. (Glycogen is the form in which glucose is stored in the muscles and the liver.)

After approximately 3 days on the Ideal Protein treatment, your glycogen reserves and depleted and your body begins to burn your stored fat cells for energy naturally. This results in your body producing ketonic bodies (ketones) that are a natural appetite suppressant thus preventing cravings after the first few days and providing you with energy. You will start losing weight-or fat- as soon as fat becomes your first source of energy. You will then burn fat while nourishing muscle with the high-quality, highly-absorbable Ideal foods containg the 9 essential amino acids that you consume throughout the day. Remember, muscle is the engine that burns calories every minute of every day, and by supplying your diet with this essential protein, you ensure that your muscle is not used significanly for energy.

During this time you will also reset your pancreas by giving it a much-needed rest. A properly functioning pancreas is the key to avoiding filling up your fat reserves once you have completed the "treatment" period and you return to more normal eating.

It is well-known that there are certain foods as well as certain bad eating habits that cause weight gain and there are other foods and eating habits that prevent weight loss. The Ideal Protein treatment plan will guide you and support you in your quest to lose fat safely by helping you understand the difference between "eating a balanced diet" and "eating for weight loss". And most importantly, upon reaching the final stage, you will also have learned to use the right combinations of foods within each meal to maintain your weight loss permanently.


So I know this was a LONG post... but this is a brief description of what I'm doing. OK... since Tuesday (only 4 days) I have LOST 5 pounds!! It hasn't even been a week!! I'll keep you updated on my results!

An EXHAUSTING weekend!!!

You may not be able to see the sign in the photo... but it says, "Krista Dr." I'm pretty excited to finally find my street!! I NEVER find ANYTHING with my name on it... and if I do.. it's NEVER spelled correctly!!

So we had a brunch in honor of Big Ash turning 24!! Thanks to Julia for making AWESOME smoothies and lending her home to us!! We ALL had so much FUN!!!! OH YES... and THANK YOU KATIE for the muffins!! You're such a MUFFIN!!

After the AWESOME brunch, Big Ash and I headed over to her house and watched THE OFFICE and then went for a really nice HIKE!! It was so pretty out!! And then of course Big Ash had to do a MODELING SHOOT!!

This photo is my favorite one! haha!

That night we went to Norterra shopping center and "played" capture the flag... STUPID MALL COP!! Get a LIFE!!!!! Well... let's just say that the game didn't really work! So we came back to my house and hung out and ate birthday cake for both the birthday girls! Big Ash and Sarah share the same day of birth. :) Happy Birthday guys!!

I slaved away on those cakes... those Jelly beans were a LOT of work to do...

The next night we went over to my friend Ryan's house and had a BBQ!! He did a great job!! We had a ton of fun TALKING, DANCING and playing ROCK BAND!! (actually, I tried to play rock band... but I sucked... so I quit! And as for the dancing... we'll leave that to the experts... Casey, Taylor and BIG ASH!! HAHAHAHA!! Oh wait... I can't forget Josh :) and Breba with the guitar!!! HAHAHAHA!!! NOW THAT'S FUNNY!! )

On Sunday we had some friends come and make us a french meal!! It was so nice! They had french music playing and Daniel gave each of the girls a rose!! It was so sweet!! My mom has those photos on her camera!! I only took the one picture of the girls table. :)

This was an exhausting weekend!! You can tell Ava Bean and I are a "little" tired!!!

I went shopping with Er-Bear and she took me to the CUTEST little boutique! And of course she found the most IDEAL glasses!! LOVE IT!!

I'm EXHAUSTED!!!

All GIGGLES in D.C.

So many of you know that I went to D.C. with Grandma for Clarissa's wedding. I had so much fun hanging out with FAMILY and one of my BFF's!!

I LOVED shopping with my cousins and just giggling!!

Love the looks girls!!

I met Clarissa's new daughter Sarah Lynn! I call her Lynnie... she calls me Lynn... Yep we're BFF's now!! She is so fun and has a LOT of energy!!! We went swimming together on Friday and had so much fun!

Miranda picked me up that evening and took me to the
Washington National Cathedral.
It was so pretty and peaceful. We sat in the courtyard and listened to the choir practice. The window was open so we could hear... it was BEAUTIFUL!

Then of course we HAD to do some model shots!! hahaha!! We crack ourselves up!!

So the day of Clarissa and Christian's wedding I played with Sarah Lynn at the temple. We had a lot of fun "walking" around... well more like me chasing to keep up! hahaha!

Time to take a break... hehe!!

I'm so happy for my cousin!! She looked BEAUTIFUL on her wedding day!!

Grandma and I at the P.F. Changs for the luncheon!! YUMMY!!!A very successful party!!

After the reception Miranda came to Laurel and hungout with me all night!! We had sooooooooo much fun!! I think my insides were going to fall out from laughing so hard!! Luckily Grandma didn't have her hearing aids in... so she couldn't hear us!! hehe!!

We decided we were "hungry"... well... I really just wanted an ice cream cone and she wanted a Diet Dr. Pepper... but do you think that's all we got? I think not!! Miranda had coupons for McDonalds... haha... they have coupons for McDonalds! That's seriously so funny to me!! So of course we had to get Chicken nuggets and fries!! SOOOOOOOO UNHEALTHY!!!!! But I will even admit... it tasted so HEAVENLY!! HAHAHAHA!!

The next day Mike and Amber took us all out for brunch. It was delicious!!
Thank You!!!!

After brunch Miranda came and picked me up again!! Thanks Miranda!! She drove about 40 minutes one way each time!! She's such a great friend! We went and saw some of the sights. Here I am in front of the backside of the White House.

Miranda took me to my FAVORITE store!! H&M baby!! Wherever we go... we will ALWAYS find one!! I LOVE this place!!!

After finding some great finds at H&M we headed over to the

National Portrait Gallery!
I didn't know they had a Portrait of Joseph Smith and Brigham Young... but Miranda filled me in on that one! It was neat to see those pictures hanging there!

Afterwards we went and had dinner at this cute little restaurant! while you wait for your food you play games...

As you can see... I WON!!! HAHAHA!!!

We went back to Miranda's house for awhile and hungout with her roommates! That was super fun! Her girls were adorably funny... but I'm pretty sure they think I'm evil from the video I showed them I made!! Haha!! Don't worry... I'll be posting that soon! :) So the time came when I had to leave... we were driving and Miranda said she was making a detour... and I didn't have a clue where to. We pulled up and she said, "Yeah! Melanie's here!!" Woop! Woop! I got to see Melanie while in D.C.!! I love this girl!! Thanks for the surprise Miranda!! I had so much fun!!!And so... this is the last picture of my trip. It was sad to leave my friend there... I really wanted to pack her in my suitcase and bring her home with me!!! Thanks to all my family and friends! This really was an AWESOME trip!!!