Wyoming Vacation

I was lucky enough to spend two days up in Wyoming visiting with my in-laws. It was a fast couple of days, but they were still action-packed and full of emotion.

Wyoming is the home of my youth. I feel very lucky to have grown up there. I spent a great amount of time exploring the vast amount of public land that Wyoming has to offer. My parents instilled in me an appreciation for the outdoors and for the incredible creation that is our world. I have never lived anywhere else that I have loved as much as Wyoming. I think a lot of that is nostalgic, but that doesn't change the way I feel. I really wanted to give my kids an idea of why Ryan and I love this place so much. So we went on an adventure.

My Father-in-law, Blaine, has spent a lot of time exploring an area north of Rock Springs called Pine Canyon. I have heard him talk fondly of this spot so I really wanted to go and see its glory for myself.  The kids were cranky and hungry but after getting into town Blaine and I loaded them up into his truck and we drove out to explore.

The evening was beautiful if not a bit windy. We found a perfect canyon valley off the road that sheltered us from the wind while we ate our picnic dinner. Mike, my bro-in-law, joined us, and I am glad that he did. The kids had a great time running around the rocks and hills. I was glad he was there to keep up with them. I had Alana on my back in her Kelty backpack carrier, and while I did do a really go job of hauling her, I don't think I could have done it at McKenna/Evan's speed.

It was perfect. The smell of the sage brush mixed with the juniper trees was everything I remembered it being. We hiked up one side of the valley, across the top and down the other side. We really didn't cover that much area but it was so nice to be out there. My heart broke that Ryan could not have been there to see the kids enjoying the Wyoming wilderness. Climbing around on rocks, racing each other to the top, looking out over landscape before us with amazement on their faces. They had so much fun.  While I also had an amazing time, I felt a bit sad. Not only because Ryan missed it (and I forgot my camera in Colorado) but also because my kids will never get to live in Wyoming. No matter how much we tell them that it is a great place to live. Odds are they will never really live there, nor will they have much of a chance to explore the same places that Ryan and I did as kids. The Army doesn't exactly have a base located in our home state. I am sure that they will have their own adventures wherever we end up living and those places will become perfect and untouchable in their memories. They will just be different places than Wyoming.

(Editor's note:  I still want to live there if we can ever figure out a way.  Sarah does too.  Love - Ryan)

My Vacation - Part 1

Our chilly 4th of July

My trip breaks down into three parts: my parents' house, my in-laws, and family camping. All three parts were pretty good and as I sit here I realize I have a lot to say about all of it. I am excited to begin.

The kids and I took off very early on a Friday morning. I was not so sure what to expect from Alana. Turns out I needn't worry. She is a really good traveler. But, just to keep us all sane on the 9 hour trip to my sister's house, I stopped twice along the way so we could walk around and the kids could play at a park for a bit. While McKenna and Evan didn't start out as good travelers, over the years, and our share of portable DVD players later, they do a really good job.

Mud? What mud? I didn't do it.

Sunday morning we all took off and headed to my parents' house. There are a few key highlights to the week at my parents' house. But the best time I had the whole week happened on the night we got there.

Rose and I pulled into town long enough to meet the babysitters my parents hired, grab a fast dinner and load up to head out to the shooting range. There was a shooting competition going on and we were going to join in. I was very excited about this. I am a terrible shot. I don't think I had held a gun prior to that night in at least 4 years. For me, growing up the way I did, that is a very long time. Nevertheless, I was ready to give it my best. The competition worked like this - two people would come up to the rope, standing side-by-side about 6 feet apart. When the judge gave the word the shooters would load their guns and stand ready. Once the judge said "fire" the two would shoot the 6 bowling pins on the table in front of them, about 12-15 feet away. First one to knock all 6 of their pins down won the round. I never won a single round. But I had a whole lot of fun trying. I giggled and laughed. I teased my sisters and cheered for my parents. I am sure my brother-in-law thought I was acting like a 15 year old, cause I kind of was. Something about being with just my parents and sisters (plus the bro-in-law) takes the "put together adult" right out of me. I had a blast! I really hope that I will get to do that again next time I go home.

Once Rose flew out and I was officially in charge of her 3 kids plus my own, I decided it wasn't going to be so bad. My baby sister, Elizabeth, was also in town and volunteered to be a full helper. My mom was home from work at 1pm everyday and then she pitched in. This was going to be a piece of cake, right? Wrong. Two days in the flu hits (insert ominous music here). Of all the kids there, the worst case scenario was the one who actually got sick - Rose's baby. He is just shy of 2 years old. Not old enough to tell you he is going to puke and young enough that all he wants is his Mommy. It was awful for the poor boy. He quickly attached to Elizabeth. Good for me, bad for her. She ended up with the flu also. Knocked her down flat for 36 hours. He ended up being truly sick for 8 days. Thank goodness my mom and baby sister were there or I never would have survived with my sanity intact.

She is so cute

All in all the kids had so much fun. All the cousins are close enough in age that they play really well together and they love each other tons. They spent loads of time riding the 3-wheelers and playing in the water. I was lucky enough to spend a day out in my Dad's shop helping him swap out an axle on a trailer. It was good to get my hands dirty and spend time with the old man. Elizabeth and I took the older kids to the pool and really had a blast with them (Mom stayed home with the sick kids and my baby. Thanks Mom!!). I am really glad that I was able to be there. Not only to help Rose out but also to get to spend so much time with Elizabeth. She just moved back to CO but chances are I won't get her to myself again like I did this summer. I love you Boo!

I was really bummed with myself when I actually looked at my pictures. I didn't take nearly enough. I really need to be better about that. Either way, enjoy what I have.

Buff Babe

I seem to be having a bit of a delay. I have written my first vacation post, but I can't up load pictures. I have lost a key tool that links my camera to the computer. I will hopefully be getting a new one today. I didn't want to post anything about my vacation without including pictures.

In the mean time......

I had the workout of my life today. It has been four weeks since I have been to the gym. Boy did I feel it. Six months ago I decided it was time to get my body back in order. I started running and really learned to enjoy it (crazy, I know). Three months ago Ryan and I got super serious and joined a gym. Not an easy choice to make. Gyms are expensive and they expect you to commit to a long term contract. I hate signing contracts it makes me nervous and I get anxiety (maybe I should take to someone about that :). But I did because I knew it's what I really wanted. I had reached the point where I knew that I would actually go, and I have. I spent all of May and June going to classes (I like them best) and running the treadmills at least 3 days a week. I was obsessed really. I would have gone more if the kids didn't need attention and the occasional meal. It was discouraging, though. I worked really hard for 7 weeks and never saw the results. Sure my muscles were stronger my lungs lasted a bit longer and, lets be honest, my butt had lifted a bit, but nothing changed on the scale. Then 3 days before my vacation, change happened. Bad timing right. I finally felt that my body was in the "lose weight" mode and then I was leaving. I was so sure that the 2 lbs that I finally lost would surely be back on in a matter of days. Turns out I was wrong. I worked so hard taking care of kids and camp and just...stuff. That I managed to lose another 2 lbs while on vacation. I didn't eat enough food (I know that for sure) and I didn't get enough sleep. It wasn't healthy weight loss but it sure beat gaining.  One week post vacation and I have put those 2 lbs back on, but I was expecting that. I spent a week not leaving my house and eating what ever I wanted. But now it is back to real life. I will be at the gym three times this week (if I can walk after today) and I will be mindful of what I eat. I am back to being ready. It's time to create the body of my dreams, or at least come close. :)

We are home!!!

Just a quick note to let everyone know we are home and happy to be back with Daddy. I have many blogs floating around in my head begging to be written but for now I have a house to put back in order and a huge pile of laundry to wash. The blog will have to wait a bit longer.