Healthier Eating!

So, we've finally done it. We've traded in our junk food for healthier fare. It was hard, yes. Instead of a pantry full of cookies, chips and crackers we have a refrigerator full of fresh vegetables, fruit, cheese, yogurt and lean meats. Our pantry now sports whole wheat bread and pastas. We kept a few items of the "old us". Albert insisted we shouldn't become "those parents". You know the ones- the parents who only let their kids have one or two pieces of candy on Easter or Halloween, or worse yet, show up at their kids schools on class party days to subsititue some weird type of applesauce cookies for the sugary treats all the other kids are getting. No, we haven't gone that far. I don't beleive that our kids will become obese, dentally impaired, sugar addicted kids all because of a few holdiays per year. However, I would like to promote an overall healthier lifestyle for them. I'd like them to reach for fruit or veggies rather than doritos and cake.
The reasons aren't purely weight related. There are lots of serious health problems on both sides of the family- diabetes, high blood pressure, cholesterol issues and cancers that I hope a healthier lifestyle will help our children avoid.
Wish us luck sticking with our new changes!

The Best Day in the World

Yesterday we took our babies to the zoo. It was our last day with just the four youngest children, as I write this Albert is picking up Jackson and Emanuel from the airport. They are returning from Denver. Drew, Brandon and Brice are visiting my Mom and sister in Knoxville. Thus for four or five days, we had ONLY FOUR KIDS! Can you even belive that??? FOUR KIDS! It felt amazingly simple,easy and slow paced. We did our best to make it fun for them. Throughout the week we took them our for ice cream, shopping, on long drives around town. One night, we took them out late at night for half price appetizers at Applebees (my favorite place). On the evenings they got to bed on time, Albert and I enjoyed each other's company in the quiet, as we don't often get to. It was amazing.
Yesterday was the culmination of an amazing week. We took the babies to the zoo and had the best time ever. It seemed so strange that all our children fit nicely into the stroller. We visited the children's zoo, rode the train throughout the zoo. We rode the carosel, and attended the Friday night concert which was "Ticket to the Beatles" a wonderful band who played Beatles songs (perfect for me!) Alexandria danced, Isaiah tried to work up the courage to dance and Sydney was Sydney the whole time. There was an interesting woman, an old lady really who was dressed as a Ballerina. She was boogeying down like no other. Folks were gathering around laughing and taking pictures of her. It was really funny, but I had to admire her spirit and ability to enjoy life, regardless of what anyone else thought. And oh, what a spectacle she was. We capped off our night with a trip to Hooters. Yum Yum. So good. This morning I dinned on the leftovers. Hope Bree likes the taste of Buffalo wings!
I'm working on a smilebox which can show more of our pics and videos but it seems to be taking too long to upload right now. So here are a few pics to tide you over until I get the rest uploaded.
Alas, two more children return today. I can't wait to see them. I've missed them so much. I'm making chicken taco's for them tonight, per their request. We are thankful to God that they arrived safely and had a great trip. We are thankful to Uncle Ron and Aunt Pat that they had such a fabulous, memory filled trip! I can't wait to gather them up and smother them with kisses!

Our 4th of July Weekend

Zoo Video

This is the video with photos of animals at the Denver zoo.

Posted by Manny Fontenot

tongue boy and blank look guy

This is a short clip of Manny having a blank look and Jackson sticking out his tongue.

Posted by Manny Fontenot

Corn Part II

This was taken the day before Father's Day. You can see how the corn has already grown since "Corn Part I". We need to get another pic as its gotten very large now!

Summer Nights

Tonight is one of those relaxing, cool-breeze evenings that epitomizes summer. The weather has cooled down a bit and its actually enjoyable to sit outside again. Albert and I are out with the kids grilling out brats while french fries cook in the oven. Kambree is playing a few feet away in the stroller. We've set up the bouncy house for the little ones and Isaiah, Alexandria, Sydney and Brice are jumping, jumping and jumping some more. Brandon and our nephew Preston are taking turns mowing strips of grass in the back yard. Drew and his friend Chris are setting up the tent next to the little kids' bouncy house. The older children are "camping" tonight in the back yard. Albert has been to the store to stock them up with snacks for their "trip." Brice is begging to "camp" in the tent with the big boys so Albert is going to sleep downstairs on the couch (the tent is just outside the window...the couch is just on the inside side). Zoe will also be camping with the boys, just to keep them safe. I'm sure she'll enjoy the snacks as well...