Wow! Has it really been that long?

I can't believe I've given up posting for so long. Maybe because I know I'm pretty much writing for my own satisfaction, and not because I think the world is going to read what I write.

I just want to share a few updates.

I've become a Zumba instructor and can't believe how much fun I have with my classes. Music has always made me want to move, in fact I really can't sit still if something is playing that demands to be danced to! I enjoy sharing that feeling with others, and love to see people smile while they're sweating!

I've also developed an interest in eating Paleo. My husband and I have agreed for years that if we "ate like cavemen" with out all the processed food that we would be healthier. That's an over simplification, but that sort of sums it up. I am trying to eat lots of lean protein and veggies and fruit, and avoid processed food items and things we didn't evolve to eat. ( you know... sugar, flour, pasta etc)

If you want a clear picture about Paleo, read "The Paleo Solution" by Robb Wolf.

It's so refreshing to have a grasp on what is healthy and why. I am a pain to the checkers in the grocery store though because not many of my groceries can be scanned! It's amazing to me how SWEET fruit is now. It's such a treat to make a fruit salad.

That being said... I have to admit..... I am REALLY looking forward to my birthday cake this year!

Fun at Grandma Nona's

Where were these slides when we were kids? My brother got one because he has about a zillion grand kids and it gets used well I think! He brings it to mom's house for family parties.

This is my one and only Gus going down the slide. He really enjoyed it last year...this year he said "the line is sooooooo long!"

I remember putting the hose on our metal slide so we could slide down with out burning our butts, and that was pretty fun. I remember playing in the ditch in front of grandma's house. I used to love to run through the yard kicking lots of water during "water turns". So I guess we had lots of summer fun with out one of these slides.... but someone needs to tell these kids how cool this is!

TRI- THIS!

The Runners!

Sophie and I just did a Tri...the Dinotriathlon. I did the same triathlon 2 years ago and my goal was to do it in under 2 hours this time around. The first time I did it in 2 hours one minute. I did meet my goal ( yippee!) and beat my old time by 7 minutes. A lot of that I attribute to my new bike "Blossom" . It was awesome to actually pass people on the biking section. In this Tri, they write your age on your calf, which makes for a fun game. You can try to see all the ages of the people you are passing. One guy I had to pass twice because I went crazy on the shifting and through my chain off!

Gus got to race too! All the kids got to run 1/2 way around the track and he shot out like a rocket. He was in first place ( with about 50 kids running) and a tall red headed boy passed him in the last 10 yards. What a fast little runner he is!! He takes after his mom.

If I knew I looked like this from the back I probably wouldn't have worn my Tri suit! South Beach here I come. Time to lose the last few excess pounds :)

They said I was the only person to sit down to put my running shoes on. Who knew I was supposed to have my shoes off before I ever got off the bike?

Sweet adventure!

Ok, so I want to be here right now! When I grow up I want to be Spencer and Barbara! At this moment, I am living vicariously through my son and daughter in law. They sold everything that they could, and the rest they gave away. Then they took off with just a couple of back packs ...destination Belize. These pictures are in Mexico...but they're working their way south.

How much stuff do we really need in life to be happy. It's just stuff, right? Isn't it true that our possessions begin to own us, instead of the other way around. Who really wants to spend their days off mowing that lawn, or fixing up that house? I think I'd rather be reading on the beach!

That being said......don't know how my bike would get on the plane with me, but that is the one thing I don't think I could give up!

Family photos

Yay! We finally got a family photo! Oh we have all kinds of casual shots of everyone separately but here we are...all together in the same house at the same time. It's amazing :)

Yeah, Gus was being a pickle and didn't smile, but that's ok...he's still cute. I just have to say here that I am so happy with who my kids married. All 3 of my " in-laws" are just awesome, and absolutely perfect for their prospective spouses. All completely different, just like my kids are all completely different.

I remember my mom saying " you raise them all the same, and they just turn out differently" All I can say is thank goodness for that! That's what makes our family so wonderful, the unique personalities of everyone. And here's the cool part....if I met any one of my kids on the street today for the first time, I would like every one of them...not because I'm their mom and I HAVE to like them. I would love them for who they are as adults.

Oh, and we finally got a picture of Spence and Barb together, with no one else in the shot. Something we didn't manage to do at their wedding! They're taking off to another country for awhile. I'm happy for their adventure, but I'm going to miss them so much.

Happy Trails you two!! Hope you get a blog set up so you can keep us posted.

Who wants to join me?

I'm talking about the DinoTri! The Dinotriathlon June 27th. I did it in 2007, but skipped last year due to a sprained ankle. Yeah, I tangled up with a motorcycle riding my bike in Moab and the darned thing took FOREVER to heal. I guess that's a by product of my age. Anyway, I digress. I am committing today to do the Dino Tri , it's a super fun atmosphere. We swim in Red Fleet Reservoir, bike to the high school and run around neighborhoods, then finish in the football stadium. I swear I about cried when I ran in the stadium and they announced my name. Yes I was stumbling around the track half dead, but I made it! My friend Troy was the announcer, and he talked about the fact that I was riding my "trusty mountain bike Spooky" in the event. Yes, I ride a mountain bike...I fear skinny wheels and I'm not too worried about breaking world records in the time category...just improving my fitness.

So I'm throwing it out there. Who wants to join me? Sophie has committed! Maybe her friend Dot...I'm thinking Christina? Who else? It will be lots of fun and maybe we'll get a little more fit in the process.

I'm hoping I get the same number again this year. 303 was perfect...when I held my arm one way it said wow and the other way was mom. Can't beat that!

GOOOOO UTES!

Wow what a fun game! The Utes are undefeated...13 and 0, and just rolled the crimson tide. BCS? More like BS! I think it's time the Mountain West Conference got some respect.

It's such a bummer being a Ute fan where we live because we can very rarely get the games on TV because none of the satellite carriers here have the mountain.

We went to Matt and Maya's and watched the game with the family and lots of friends....what fun!

Yep, we're a Utah family and we bleed red :)...then again who doesn't?

Grandma's "sexy" apron

Grandma has been making home made chocolates like the little elf that she is! About 20 pounds of chocolate, 2 gallons of maraschino cherries, and heaven only knows how many pounds of butter and sugar later...the wondrous things are finished and ready for all the family to enjoy. I told her not to make such huge boxes for everyone this year, and Maya said " don't tell her that about OUR box!" Everyone is looking forward to the annual treat. So if you come to our house and have a home made chocolate...this is the little lady that made them with such love. ( I refuse to make them because I can't resist licking the chocolate off my fingers!)
Matt and Maya went to see her and took her some beautiful flowers on her 83rd birthday. That's when this picture was taken in her "sexy" apron...that's what she calls it any way!
Happy birthday mama! You do look pretty sexy in that apron!
And thanks in advance for the Christmas chocolates I am going to get again this year! ( If Maya doesn't sneak them all!)

halloween in Lander

We went to see our favorite grandson for Halloween. ( I can safely say that now because he is our ONLY grandson!)

Doesn't he make a great Harry Potter? What a cutie he is, and so much fun. I can't imagine anything better than being a grandma. Really I can't! Being a mom was ( and is) wonderful, but the grandma thing has it beat. I love this kid double because I love his mom and his mom loves him, and I love them both so much sometimes it's painful. Plus I don't have to be the bad guy if he needs discipline, like I had to be with my own kids. So ...sorry if you have to hear me go on and on about this smart, beautiful, loving, athletic child...but I guess you can always log off!

Desert aerobics

Matt and Maya came to visit a few weeks ago, and I'm just getting the pics posted. We went for a little hike in the desert. Yes...we walked up the hill on the last picture and my butt was burning! It's a little like doing the kick boxing class at the rec center, I can't walk the next day!
It's always so nice to have the family here and share our beautiful scenery with them.

That little person at the bottom is me. I'm pausing to pick up my lungs and put them back in!

Twilight comments

Those of you who haven't seen the movie yet, don't read this post! Actually there really are no surprises, I thought they stuck with the book pretty well. I really never imagined Edward that way, but I still liked him. He wasn't quite as debonair as I pictured and definitely not as old school. He was very intense, and I can see how she would fall in love with him.
Jacob was pretty much how I imagined, and I can't wait to see how he is in the next movie since he has to grow a ton! In the second book I was cheering for Jacob. I thought " Bella can marry him and have little brown babies and a sort of normal life".
These books are such an enigma to me. I am amazed at how they span generations, and hold peoples interest. I know 14 year olds who read them and my mom who's 83 loved them too. And of course, my daughter and me! Stephanie Meyer is really on to something here. I guess we are hungry for some "G" rated romance, vampire style!
All in all I wasn't dissapointed in the movie. In fact I think I want the video and soundtrack for Christmas!

Twilight

Who out there is woman ( or man) enough to admit they are going to go to the midnight showing of Twilight??? Hmmmm? I am! Can't wait for scary, G rated romance. It rocks:) I'll let you know what I think

NUMB

We have a group of mountain bike riders in the Basin, and we call ourselves NUMB. That stands for Northeastern Utah Mountain Bikers....and as we all know various parts of you go numb when you ride for long periods of time. A local magazine just ran an article about us and I thought I'd share it with you. I took most of the pictures, so I'm only in one...that little spec on the orange bike! Check it out at www.theedgemagazine.org/NUMB_article.pdf

HAPPY TRAILS!

Obama wins!!!

Yesterday I was floating around town with a huge grin on my face, calling on customers as usual, but one thing was different. We have a new president elect and I couldn't be happier! The tough part is to act nonchalant when you live in the most Republican county in one of the most Republican states in the country, and your Democratic nominee just won! Do you have any idea how frustraing it is that no-one you ever vote for wins? I think I have a right to be happy!

We witnessed history on November 4th...we chose a new direction...we elected an African American and I am so proud of my country. I still remember the race riots when people were not allowed to go to the same school, enter the same door, drink from the same drinking fountain...all because of their skin color. I believe with Barack Obama's election that all racial barriers have been erased.

Barack Hussein Obama! Who would have believed we'd ever elect someone with THAT name! Wow. I still can't believe it.

To his credit, John McCain gave an excellent concession speech and I hope his constituents pay attention. We all need to stop being so divided and partisan to get this mess fixed. The state of our country, is not Obama's problem...it's every Americans problem.

Now if we could just get people to boycott divisive radio talk show people the world would be a better place...trust me.

Celebrate a new beginning. Embrace change. Be proud of your country, but call your government to task. There....I'm done preaching. Now can you hear me smiling????
Sweeeet!

Happy Anniversary!

I just wanted to give a little shout out to my hubby of 34 years! You're still the one. I am so glad I found you, or you found me....who can remember how it really happened?

Actually I fell in love with you in the first grade when you didn't even know I existed... because you could count to 1oo, tell time, play chess with stacked up checkers, and you looked really cool in your plaid shirts and boots! I still remember going to your birthday party.

Then I remember you in high school when I really fell in love! Where did the time go? How did we get so old? All I know is that I still love you with all my heart and I want the world to know it...I guess now they do! Happy anniversary.

I was his "Sweet Pea"

sad times

Man, I miss my dad so much. He passed away Aug 25th, and the funeral was Friday. I don't care that he was 84, you're just never ready to let go of someone you love.

When I was 10 years old I learned to play "Lara's Theme" on the piano (Somewhere my Love) and dad said " I love that song Teena, I want you to play it at my funeral". So I've had 40 years to be prepared, and of course I wasn't....you just never are.

I spent the week with mom, and I'm really glad I had the chance to re-connect with my brothers during that time. I actually got a hug AND a kiss on the cheek from 2 of my brothers (read my earlier wedding blog and you'll understand)

I have so many memories of dad, I shared a few of them when I spoke at his funeral. I remember dancing on his feet when I was a little girl and him picking me up and squeezing me tight and singing "I'll never let you go, why? because I love you!" I sang that same song to my kids.

Dad had a really tough job. He worked for 35 years as a steel worker to support his family. I can remember seeing the burns on his arms and neck. Everyday there were new ones....and he acted like it was no big deal.

I will always appreciate what a good grandpa dad was. He loved my kids so much.

I didn't sing it...but I read these lyrics by Dan Fogelberg at Dad's funeral that sort of express the way I feel .

I thank you for the music and the stories of the road,
I thank you for the freedom when it came my time to go.
I thank you for the kindness, and the times when you got tough.
And Papa, I don't think I said I love you near enough.

The leader of the band is tired and his eyes are growing old,
But his blood runs through my instrument and his song is in my soul.
My life has been a poor attempt to imitate the man,
I'm just a living legacy to the leader of the band.

I Love you Papa! I'm going to miss you....

Mike and Laci's wedding

Me and my bros. They won't get any closer to me than this....they think I'm dangerous. ( I may try to kiss them or hug them or something)

Is this right out of "Tombstone" or what???? Gotta love it!

I discovered something about myself this summer that I really wasn't aware of... I like weddings....no, more like LOVE weddings! Not the kind I grew up with where everyone is quite solemn..and family members are forced at gun point to stand in uncomfortable shoes for hours on end and shake hands of people they don't really know. ( because the whole town is invited)

My nephew got married this month, and Mike and Laci had a wedding to remember. Beautiful scenery, lovely ceremony, and lots of opportunities to dance with your crazy aunt you haven't' seen in years!!! Got to spend some time with my brothers, my sister in laws and nieces and nephews.

So I've had a summer of fun weddings with Spencer and Barbara's in June, and now another great time was had by all at Mike and Laci's. And the best part to me, is the complete celebration of love. ( I'm waxing poetic now sorry) The love you see in the bride and groom...the love and well wishes you feel for them...the love you hope everyone around you is feeling.....yep, I love weddings.

Sturgis or bust!

Kevin took a "little" trip on his scooter last week to Sturgis. I think he had fun and really liked some of the rides out there. He said the road in this picture was like a "hot wheels track". Ran into some buffalo....saw some craziness. (would YOU get in a big metal ball and let a guy ride a motorcycle in circles around you? There isn't enought tequilla!)

I told him I would like to go next year if I can drive the van and meet him there! My butt on a motorcycle for that many hours isn't happy!

He does love his Fat Boy and I love my thin, healty fit, handsome boy!

AAAHhhhhh! Crested Butte

There is such a great vibe there. Great trails, amazing scenery, food to die for...what more do you need? Oh yeah really cool friends to share it all with.

There's not a lot of oxygen at 10,707 feet, and that's where the single track starts! Yep, it goes up from there. When you get to the top of 401 you're so stoked just to be there, and then all the down hill fun starts. I couldn't wipe the smile off my face for days!



Some nice lady on the trail asked if I was wearing a maternity riding top....fair question I guess! I said " nope, I'm wearing an I don't want to hold my stomach in top" . Now if I can just get rid of that stomach I don't want to hold in I'll be even happier. Wish me luck on that one, cause I like to cook and eat as much as I like to ride.

Life is good isn't it?

Tuffy on the Peyette

Wow! Tuff is the one in front on the Payette in Idaho on independance day. I'm always a little relieved when they come home alive!

My dad and mom

This is my Papa when he was in the navy. He was about 17 years old and one tough cookie! Dad 's ship was sunk somewhere off Pearl Harbor and lucky for me and my brothers, he was one of the survivors. My papa is brave, a super hard worker, and a real softy when it comes to any of his kids or grand kids. And did I mention he can fix ANYTHING?

The cute girl is my mom. An amazing cook, and my biggest supporter. I feel so lucky to have such an awesome mom and dad.

Dad's not been feeling too great lately, so I hope he gets a chance to see this post so he'll know how much I love him... Here's to you Papa! The cutest guy in the Navy I'm sure. Get better soon!