Hitting the trails and living life with 4 kiddos and a Hubby

Thursday, December 31, 2009

Happy New Year

What are the differences between the SHOULDS and the COULDS in this coming year? I should do that and I should do this. But the word should is chalk full of guilt. The word could is more relaxed and less demanding.

I want this new year to be less guilt driven and do more acts out of compassion and love than because I SHOULD. In stead of "I should make a meal for this new mom." I want to say "I could make a meal for this new mom...hmmm I'll see."

Feeling guilty when you've done something wrong is a correct feeling but when guilt is felt because of other's or you own demands is an awful way to live.

So I'm going to work on this. I am going to try to hand out less guilt trips and examine the guilt trips that I have been handed more clearly. It's a more freeing way to be.

Happy Year! 2010

HCG Diet Day 6

I don't want this blog to turn into a dieting only blog but I have to get this off my chest.

I'm going crazy! I am moody and easily annoyed and I want to quit the diet for a pizza. I know this first week was going to be hard but COME ON this is rough. And to make matters worse, it's my honey's birthday. I feel terrible because I didn't get him a card. My focus was Christmas and this stinking diet. Amazon hasn't send his gift which was suppose to have been here yesterday. They haven't even put it in the mail yet!

OK take a deep breath. count to 10. repeat

Sorry for the rant. I don't want this blog to become an ugly place.

On the lighter side of life. I have lost 9 lbs in 6 days.

Tuesday, December 29, 2009

HCG Diet Day 4

OK. So Chris and I started a HCG Diet the day after Christmas. We pigged out for the first 2 days and then went to the 500 calorie part yesterday. It wasn't so bad. I eyed the sweets a few times and looked in the pantry a few times but besides that I gave myself a A+. So I woke up this morning and weigh in. OH MY I lost 4.4 pounds. That has really boosted my spirit. I was looking forward to seeing 1 pound lost but 4. HOLY MOLY. I then showered and headed down stairs and as I did I told the girls what I discovered. They both got very excited and told me over and over again that I look skinnier. I am loving that!! Chris told me he lost 5.8 pounds. Way to go Honey!!

Thursday, December 24, 2009

Merry Christmas

Merry Christmas Everyone!!!

I just finished watching the movie "It's a Wonderful Life" and once again it brings a smile to my face. What a great story. We really do affect so many people during our lives. i hope I have done my part so far and spreading kindness and compassion around. I hope I have made a impact on my friends, neighbors and family's lives for the good.

What is up with my kids? Abby didn't want to watch the movie because it wasn't in color. What!! It's a classic! Are our kids so spoiled and robbed of classic movies that they can't or won't watch them? Do they watch too many cartoons and cheesy shows? As a mother I now feel that I need to broaden the kids scope of what are good CLASSIC movies and the joy and beauty of old black and white pictures. Now I need to brain storm on some good old movies to show my kiddos- for educational purposes of coarse.

Tuesday, December 15, 2009

Kenny's Climb

Pictures don't do justice, anyone who 4 wheels knows this. Kenny's Climb for a novice like me is a thrill (one of only a few in Fins N Things). I'm at the base watching Pete with one of my daughters start to climb. He slows to a stop and has to put the front lockers on. The back lockers weren't enough! Then he slowing makes ground and at the top turns and disappears. Now it's my turn. YEEK! I take a deep breath then I put my right foot on the skinny pedal. I start to climb. All I see is blue sky and my hood! As I crown the top I spot Pete waving me on. I felt soo good knowing I conquered it. I didn't allow myself to chicken out. I didn't beg my knight in shining armor to save the day to do it for me. I DID IT! I did it all myself. But on the down side my custom drive shaft now makes a knocking noise. Oh well.

Here's Pete


Monday, December 14, 2009

Who likes Cowboys?

I have to mention my very favorite blog to follow, some of you might have heard of her, She's so funny and talented. Her cooking and photos are top notch. Check Ree out at http://www.pioneerwoman.com/. Like Ree I too am a sucker for cowboys. There is something about cowboy hats, boots and wrangler jeans.


I love a man or boy is a cowboy hat.

Idaho Falls



Family road trips can be quite fun. I personally don't like them. I get terribly bored sitting in a car for hours and hours. But I do have to admit this one had a few highlights like this picture above and the treasures Chris and the kids found at a yard sale in a tiny town.




Sunday, December 13, 2009

Snow Bashing




After the experience of my first snow bashing I have decided that I don't really like it. Here's why. The snow makes the Pickle's movements too unpredictable - aka sliding. I feel less control and am not a fan of the skinny pedal in these moments. I prefer big rocks and ledges.

Saturday, December 12, 2009

Rugged and Handsome


Oh my sweet innocent little one. You had me at Hello. Isaiah, you should be very happy this isn't in color. It's your sister's PINK cowboy hat. I won't tell anyone. I promise.

Really.

I swear.

The Beast in Coney Creek



This thing is truly a beast. That water is 3 feet high. Oh I love this trail. It's truly one of my favorite. MSV (Middle St. Vrain) combined with Coney Flats. It has a little of everything. Rocks, Water crossings, trees, a river, camping sites. Did I say I love this trail. I do I really do!


This is my honey's rig. A 1990 Ford Bronco with a Dana 60 in the rear and soon one up front with 37 inch tires. He has put a boat load of money into this rig. I won't go into all that now.

The Pickle and I in Moab


This is a shot of me driving the Pickle in Moab back in October. I have such a cheesy grin on my face. The trail's name is Fins and Things. Have you heard of it? The only two spots I liked was Kenny's Climb and the first fin at the begining. That first fin was so steep that I was sliding down it even with my foot on the brake completely. And there is Kenny's Climb. As I drove up it all I saw was blue sky.