Rudy Family Rukus~Parenting tips and humor meet in one big "rukus"

My fabulous friend Emily hosted an awesome Girls Night Out.  Although she didn't call it that. I am because it involved Girls (aka female bloggers), it was night time, and it was not at my house (YAY for not having to host or clean).  It was so much fun because it involved two of my very favorite things (ya that's a song) working out and FOOD! We got to check out the newest boxing gym here in the Salt Lake Valley and let me just tell you I am over the top impressed with this place!!  It is called Title Boxing Club you can check them out on Facebook .  They post specials and motivation all the time and the boxing class schedule is on there too.  (You will definitely see me there at several classes) Ok so now for the pictures. Those are 100 pound bags and they are awesome.  They have 60 of them (that's a lot by the way).  We did a one hour power-hour workout using the bags and body-weight exercises my shins were sweating people that's how intense t...

We have some serious spring fever at our house.  Today the sun was out and I sat on my porch in my sweats and felt the warm sun on my face I could still see my warm breath in the cool air but I tried to soak it in before the next storm moves in.   Of course I forgot to pull out my camera so here are some great patriotic shots from this fall. I can almost feel the sun on face can't you? Linking up with Lolli at Better In Bulk for Photo Story Friday/GMYBS

So as I promised here are pictures of the pantry project.  It turned into a little more than I expected.  To be honest I want to rip all the wire shelving out and start completely over but that is a DIY project for another day.   For now I used some baskets from Walmart and did my best with what I have.   I even dug out my old label maker and started labeling away until I ran out of tape. Oops! If you think it still looks bad this is what I threw away.... I know totally embarrassing.  It is a work in progress.  I plan to inventory everything in there tomorrow because I had 4 bottles of worcestershire sauce really that may last until well past the expiration date lets just say.  I also have enough seasonings to flavor an entire third world country.  That's a lot in case you don't get my sarcasm.  Anyway I like the baskets with the handles so I can just pull them out and see what's inside.  I'm pretty short so...

As a parent I have learned that you can't get everything done at once.  Some days I can't even get ONE thing done.  Although that has significantly improved as my children have gotten older.  Thank goodness!  I can actually brag that I am able to shower each and everyday without worrying about any run aways or major home destruction.  As I try to get more organized I have decided to set weekly goals so I don't get overwhelmed.  Last week my goals were stay on top of the laundry and stick to my menu plan.  I was sick at looking at this mess.... That's right those are clean folded clothes running over. And this is not the normal it was usually a basket full of clean, unfolded, wrinkled clothes. I was seriously sick of seeing this.   The washing I don't mind even the folding is not THAT bad but I hate to put clothes away.  Don't ask why because I don't know why... But I made a goal this past week that I would wash, dry, fold, put away....

I set another goal for the new year.  I want to spend more meaningful time with my children.  I make an effort to spend one on one time with my Husband but I realized I am not as vigilant doing this with my kiddos so we have had several game nights this week and last night we set goals as a family.   My children attend Primary at church and they were all given journals to write in weekly so I had them write the goals in their journals.  It was fun.  They had great ideas and were excited to set goals for themselves.   That is some serious UNO concentration Posing for the camera of course. Kayton and I finished early so I worked on my photography and she worked on her silly expressions. I'm linking up with Lolli and Cecily for Photo Story Friday. Hosted by Cecily and Lolli

Are you sick of my snow pictures yet?  I hope not. This week was filled with some family time, more snow time and a full return to our crazy routine.  Much sooner than I wanted.  I truly enjoyed the Christmas Break this year mostly because my husband was here the entire time.  Bitter sweet since we didn't make it to a Bowl Game this year but oh so nice to have him here uninterrupted such a luxury for me this time of year.  Anyway enough blah, blah, blah here's the pictures Yes that is my watering can and a chair notice my previous post get more organized I realize I have a problem! It was around 10 degrees out but they wanted to play outside so bad I couldn't say no.  They had so much fun I'm glad I allowed it. Back to school and bundled for the bus.  The day after New Years seemed too soon to return to the crazed life but they were excited.  The house was so quiet after everyone left I had to leave too I couldn'...

We have spent a lot of time the past few weeks going to flag football games and baseball games and trying to finish up the school year.  These are some shots from this week. Baseball usually looks a lot like this, a lot of standing around and waiting and very little action.  It is not different in the pros!  The only thing missing here was the food! The next is my favorite because he is already giving me THIS look.  Can't wait for the teen years! Another classic baseball pose.  I love that boys automatically know how to play baseball.  No coaching needed! My sister was in town and joined us for one of the games this week.  She and the girls were much more cooperative with the picture taking!  This is the last one I promise!!! This is in the dug-out and the chatter is quite entertaining!                                         ...

My girls had their dance concert last Friday.  The theme was "All Creatures Great and Small".  It was a fantastic concert.  I was lucky enough to have my friend Wendy join us.  She brought her camera and took these fantastic pictures for us. I know they look like little burglars but they are really groundhogs.  The whole dance was their impressions of groundhogs.  They imitated the digging and in this part they are showing how they pop up out of their holes. Next came the penguins.  They stole the show of course don't the littlest ones always steal the show? I love this dance for my girls because there is no competition.  It is interpretive/creative dance for young girls.  Miss Diane dances with the youngest classes so they are not scared.  She encourages them to be themselves and helps them to gain a positive body image.  There is no weight limit or dieting.  I LOVE that as this is what I am trying to teach my girls each d...

This week seems like it has been the longest week of my life and yet it is already Friday??  I can't seem to get moving on anything it could have something to do with the fact that it has snowed the past few days.  I did get to spend some time with my sister who lives about 4 hours away and I shot a few of these pictures.  Note to self it is difficult to take pictures in a restaurant.  {Lots of obstacles}  They turned out okay despite those obstacles! Really we were just having lunch; it looks like it was much more crazy than that.  I guess that is what happens when you take six kids to lunch in the middle of the day! I am joining up with Lolli at Better in Bulk and also Cecily for Photo Story Friday .