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.

Vacation Packing (sigh)

I will be going to Colorado for 3 weeks, without Ryan and with all 3 kids (crazy, I know). I am very excited about this trip. I always love going home to see my family. I will be spending the first week at my Mom and Dad's house watching my sister Rose's three kids. She is spending the week in Las Vegas with her husband. While I am sure they will be a handful at times, there is plenty of room for them to roam and explore. My parents have 3 spare rooms and 5 acres to run around on; not to mention a kid-sized 4-wheeler that they can't wait to drive. I will have the kids alone during the day while my folks are working, but I will at least have a bit of relief when my Mother gets home in the late afternoon. I will be making plenty of trips to the park and hopefully the pool at least once.

My sister Elizabeth and her husband David will be there for a few days. I am excited to see them. They just moved to Colorado Springs after serving in the Army, stationed in Hawaii. I haven't seen her in 3 years (wow, it's really been that long?).

My second week will be spent between Wyoming and camping in southern Colorado. I have a couple of days between when Rose returns from her trip and when my family reunion starts in Ouray, Colorado. So I am dashing up to see my in-laws in Rock Springs. I don't know who I will get to see as they all have jobs and vacations of their own. But if all I get to do is visit my Mother-in-law's grave then the trip will have been worth it. McKenna has been looking forward to bringing flowers to Grandma's grave for a very long time. I will probably drive the kids around town a bit and show them where I grew up as a child. I really want to take them to the pool park that I grew up playing in. That will be fun to see. Hopefully a family BBQ will also happen.

The third week will be the 3rd annual family camp out. My parents began this tradition and it has really taken off. Every summer we meet and camp for a week in the beautiful mountains of Ouray. It is my favorite place on earth. We are a rather large group and grow each year. It's great because we see family from all over. Some come from Arizona.  I come up from Texas and the rest live throughout Colorado. I love seeing everyone so much.  I think this time we are expecting 18 adults and 12 kids. We spend a lot of time up in the mountains on the old 4x4 gold mine roads. We explore old ghost towns and the occasional mine shaft (we don't go far). Lots of time visiting and hanging out around the fire. It's wonderful!

Needless to say, I have been getting ready for a week. Cleaning the car (Why do we do this before a trip? It's pointless yet mandatory), going to the bank, making lists, getting books on tape from the library, making sure all bills are in order, washing all the clothes, and finally packing it all up. I am not sure if I will find the time to blog or not but rest assured I will tell you all about my trip.

Father's Day

I consider myself very lucky. I have been surrounded by strong, competent, respectful men all my life. I will start at the beginning with my father. I have a great Dad. I consider myself very lucky to have grown up with a father that not only treated me really well and loved me a whole lot, but also taught me how to be an independent and  capable woman. I spent lots of time with Dad working on things. As a mechanic my father always had plenty of projects to work on. I spent my share of time out in the shop helping him. I don't think that I could fix much today by myself, but I at least know my way around an engine and I can do all the basics. This has come in very handy in my life. Plus, people are always very impressed when they see a woman working on a car. I have called my Dad and thanked him several times for all he has taught me.  It goes well beyond cars. I can function in the wilderness.  I can skin an animal.  I can drive a gnarly 4X4 road.  I can pull and back up a trailer. For this and many more things, I love my Daddy so much!!!
My Father-in-law is someone I have known for a long time. He was my Bishop when I was a teen so he became the authority on all things spiritual in my mind. I still see him this way. He is a very loving and caring man. I feel very blessed that he is my husband's father. I know that Ryan would not be the man that he is today if he had not learned so much from his Dad. Ryan understands the gospel and uses the Priesthood so well because of the teachings of his father. Thank you, Blaine. I love you.
The father of my children. I am not able to express my feelings for this man.  They are too much to explain. Ryan knows that he is my whole world and that I love him very much. My children know that I love their father and that means a lot (even if they don't understand that yet). Most important, my children know that their Daddy loves them. Ryan goes above and beyond to make sure that he spends time with the kids and tells them that he loves them every day. I could not possibly ask for any more than that. I love you Ryan.

Kid Date #1

Ryan and I decided that it would be fun to start doing kid dates with the older two kids. The idea came about when I learned that the city was putting on musical productions at an outdoor amphitheater. I really wanted to go. At first I thought it would be a fun family activity....then I got realistic. No way would Evan be able to sit still through something like this and Alana would be a nightmare. So I figured that maybe McKenna and I would go alone and have some girl time. Then Ryan surprised me and said he was interested in seeing the show as well. I was really excited. The kid date was planned.

Lubbock Midnight Musicals is putting on two theatrical productions this year; Hello Dolly in June and Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory in August. I want to see both. I love going to stage shows. As a youth, I was in a couple of productions - Bye Bye Birdie and The Nutcracker. I really loved it. I have been hooked ever since.  I am hoping to spark that interest in McKenna. It was a fantastic experience that I think is right up her alley.  I no longer feel that I have what it takes to be part of a musical myself (time or talent), but I will happily attend.

Our big night came and the weather forecast called for severe thunderstorms. I spent the day worried that the show would be canceled, but we wouldn't know until we got there.  At 7:00pm I picked up the babysitter for Evan and Alana. This is the first time we have ever had a young woman come into our home to babysit. The kids thought it was very strange, but Evan was excited. I packed some snacks, drinks, blanket and pillows to sit on (I forgot the bug spray, thankfully we didn't need it) and we were off.

We got to the amphitheater, found a good spot and set up our gear. It turned out to be a perfect night. The weather cooled off a bit (100 degree high that day) and we had a wonderful breeze to keep us comfortable. I bought McKenna a little ice cream at the concessions stand and we settled in for the show.

Hello Dolly is one of my favorite musicals. I watched the movie several times when I was younger. The Dolly in this play was no Barbra Streisand. She could hardly hold a tune at all. I just let it go and enjoyed the experience. There were a few good actor/singers and the atmosphere was just what I was hoping it would be.

McKenna really enjoyed the show and she really enjoyed getting to have her Mom and Dad all to herself for a few hours. I am already looking forward to taking her to Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory.  I'll review that show too when the time comes.