Lions and Tigers and Bears Oh MY

Yesterday was Canada Day so we had the day off (well half the day off for Hank). Our friends invited us to go to the ZOO with them so we decided why not. We had never been to the Calgary ZOO and I have to admit that I had not been to a ZOO without the neices and nephews since well....A long time, but it turned out to be a ton of fun.
I took a few pictures to document the event!

The Balderson's showing us a good time at the ZOO

My favorite part...the baby gorilla, SO CUTE

THe boys and well a HIPO's butt
Hey did you know Hipo's can't swim they just sink to the botoom, I witnessed it!
Ha ha you love my facts I am like a little kid!

Amy and I posing like ROCK STARS

And thats a wrap folks!

However I got some good adventures coming your way.

The Stampede launches off tommorow here in Calgary and lets just say the city is ready to party. Everywhere you look it is decorated cowboy and everyone is dressed ready for the occasion. Tommorow bright and early me and girls from work are hitting the streets in our gear to pass out free passes, then tommorow night Hank and I (graciously being given tickets from Richard and Jeanne) are hittin the STAMPEDE FULL SPEED!

Don't worry I will document the event!

FINALLY!!!

Yeah I could not be more excited. We did our final walk through of the house today and I am in love. We could not be more pleased with how it turned out. My pictures aren't that great but you get the idea.
ENJOY!

Kitchen

Kitchen, Stove Hood is missing

Master Bathroom, NO shower doors yet

More Master Bath

Staircase from upstairs

Closet Space.....Can't wait

Master Bedroom

1 of the Spare Bedrooms

Laundry Room, I think this is Hank and I's favorite part we have been dealing with the worst washer/dryer!

Guest Bath

View of Stairs and Entry

Basement Half Kitchen

Basement

Basement

Main Floor, couldn't get a good picture with the windows!

So we move in on Monday and I can't wait. GOODBYE 600 sq. feet!

REMEMBER THIS......


Well lets hope this isn't accurate because we got one of these heading our way this January!
That's right folks I'm pregnant.
No one really tells you how pregnancy is:
-Naseau from the minute you wake up to when you go to bed.
-Throwing up at work multiple times a day and having to take your garbage out in front of everyone.
-A layer of fat that decides to show up and cover your entire body
-Acne like you just started 7th grade

But after all is said and done we could not be happier to have one of those coming our way, even if it does look like the picture!

E's FIT TIP OF THE WEEK

So it has been awhile so I thought I would throw out another quick tip. I read this one on one of my favorite fitness websites FITSUGAR.COM, the reason why I really like this one is because I think we are all guilty of it and it is a good reminder....

FIT TIP #3

When using cardio equipment avoid the HANDRAILS
I know that we are guilty of this whether we are on the stair stepper or the at an incline on the treamill, but try to avoid the temptation of holding on to those handrails. They are there merely for balance so unless you are tipping over try to keep your hands off and in turn you will get a lot more bang for your buck with your workout. When you use the handrails for support you end up putting some of your weight into it therefore make it easier for yourself. I know we all need a little break but next time you are on a piece of cardio equipment,even the elliptical, try and take your hands off and get more out of your workout!

really is my life that boring.....

It is kind of sad when you want to blog but you have nothing to blog about. There are those people who can post about like 5 things at a time because there lives are so busy, and then there is me. It has been over a week and I can't come up with one witty or entertaining thing to blog about. Maybe that is a sign that i shouldn't have a blog, but too bad you are stuck with me!

So here are some things that have been occupying me and my mind lately!

*jon and kate plus 8. Ok I know it is a reality show but I am devastated by it. Seriously why can't they just get it together? Poor kids!

*St. George. I love that place this time of year and I miss it. I wish I was there right now, on a bike ride, eating golden spoon, or just laying in the sun!

*Only one more month until i get out of my blasted apartment and into my new HOUSE. I am so excited and could not feel more blessed that things worked out for the best and we are getting into our dream home...Guess what that means??? VISITORS PLEASE....

*Tommorow is our last day of seminary, mixed emotions...YES. I am so excited to not have to wake up at the crack of dawn, but I am going to miss those girls and their sweet spirits and the intelligent questions they ask at 6a.m. that make you stay on your toes. I guess I better start studying for next year.

*My sister Adrien is in Hawaii right now and I am Jealous, oh well maybe next year will be my turn!

Anyhoo here is my post because I felt like posting...hope you enjoyed!

E's FIT TIP OF THE WEEK!

FIT TIP #2
LETS HAVE A BALL
(my cute boss)

Most of us have all used a fit ball in some capacity and possibly even own one ourselves. Well I am here to tell you that they are for far more then just bouncing around and a play toy for the kids. A FIT BALL is a great inexpensive piece of equipment that you can get and use for a complete full body strength training workout. While we have traditionally used them for ABS, it can be used for MUCH MUCH MORE. Here are just a few ideas below. If you want an entire 1 hour workout using only the ball that will kick your butt please let me know!

LEGS:

Exercise #1: Booty Lifters
Seen in this picture demonstrated by my collegue Jacqui, place you foot on the ball laces down balancing on the opposite foot. Once in the position Jacqui is showing pull the knee of the foot on the ball rolling it in to meet your other knee, roll it back out into position one. Do at least 15 reps on each side and you will feel the booty lift!

Exercise #2: Squats

Get up against the wall with the ball between you and the wall resting in the small of you back. Use the ball for support and begin to do squats, the ball allows you to get a much deeper squat then you would normally do. Vary tempos and pulse at the bottom, you will feel the burn.

ARMS:

Exercise #1: Mountain Climbers

Get to where you are face down tummy on the ball and roll out to where your hands are in pushup position your body is in plank position with your toes on the ball, laces face down. From here go into a pushup and come back up. (Note: the less of your legs that are on the ball i.e toes the harder it will be, to make it easier have your shins on the ball)

Exercise#2: Shoulder press

Hold the ball with two hands in front of you, just like you would do with weights raise your arms above you head into a shoulder press, while it may seem easy at first after a few reps you will start to feel it. Want to make it harder? Squat as you are pressing up!

ABS:

Exercise#1: Plank w/ leg lift
Option #1
Option #2

Exercise#2: Balancing Crunches

Get near a wall. Lay face up on the ball where the majority of your back is on the ball, lift your feet so that they are lifted in a 90 degree angle and against the wall (therefore you are completely off the ground. Your feet are balancing you by being on the wall and your body is on the ball) From here crunch up, you can also work the obliques by doing zig zags.

now everbody is ready to have a BALL!!!

WEEKEND AWAY!!!

This past weekend Hank and I decided that we needed some time away so we took off to Edmonton. We slept in, went for a great run, visited the famous West Edmonton Mall and ate good food. The best part of all was just being together for the weekend with no distractions! Hopefully we can get another weekend away soon!

Chillin in the HOTEL...

The mall has a waterpark...it is pretty crazy!

A little GLOW IN THE DARK PUTT PUTT never hurt anyone!

Edmonton Mini Temple!!