100th post - CRAZY!

I see I missed June entirely.  School got out and it's been busy with our bucket list (see previous post).  My son J turned 12, had a CRAZY fun party and received the priesthood.  We saw Madagascar 3 in 3-D then did Xtreme Paintball.

We also got to go up to Bear Lake to reunite with my mom's side.  We played minute-to-win-it games every night which the kids loved.  My aunt put together a touching DVD with tons of family pictures I had never seen before. Thanks to my Dad for bringing up his boat - it was a blast!  We even got to ride our bikes around the lake.  :)

 

As soon as we came home we got to hang out with our friends from Arizona.  Wish these guys lived closer.  J is missing because he was at his first week-long scout camp and her baby was napping with Daddy.

I see that this is my 100th post (CRAZY) so I thought I would share my crazy workouts I've been doing.  That's why I've been too busy to blog.  I wish I could post before/after pictures but I try to avoid cameras.  Let's just mention I lost over 30 pounds since end of January.  Yes, I procrastinated my New Years Goals but I had to wait until I was motivated and my 5 year old proudly telling me I was the fatest mom (like it was a good thing) was my wake-up call.  I'm getting faster on my road bike (averaged 17.8 mph last Saturday on my 32 mile bike ride).  I must say it's a thrill to pass the men on my bike since I have a little competitive streak in me.  Last time I checked I was at 14% body fat and don't want to go any lower.  Don't worry - if you saw me you wouldn't be able to tell.  I've got plenty of "mommy" written all over my body.  I used to think I had to do lots of cardio to lose weight but now I realized how important it is to strength train as well and that healthy is not a number on the scale.

Diet:  I aim for 50% carbs, 35% protein and 15% fat and about 1500 calories a day with lots of water.  I love Chobani yogurt every morning.  Cottage cheese and chocolate protein shake for snacks.  Only 1 fruit a day.  I used to eat 3 fruits a day and snacked on whole wheat bread smothered in nutella.  Delicious but not healthy.

Exercise:  Monday 1 hour elliptical or spin class (I'm taking a break from running because of past injuries that flare up when I run) and weights.  Tuesday bike ride outside 15-20 miles.  Wednesday elliptical.  Thursday spin class and "swim" with kids.  Friday 45 min. elliptical (and yoga if I have time).  Saturday long bike ride.  This Saturday I'm doing 40 miles, next week, 45, then 50 then a rest with 30.  I got tested and found I have a higher VO2 max than most females my age.  That means I'm supposedly in better shape but it also means I have to work harder to get the same calorie burn.  I'm horrible at flexibility.

Strength Training for July (below is the training plan I came up with).  In June I was doing combination weight training using a 45 pound bar so I'm excited not to have to use hand/bar weights.

Power month - Plyometrics

Perform 3 sets of 12 reps with 30-60 second rest in-between sets.  

In-between exercises rest 1-2 min. (depending on the speed your heart rate lowers)

Warm-up with 5 min. of rowing OR treadmill rotations (1 min walk then rotate at 3.5 mph for 30 seconds each to L side, back walk, R side, front, R side, back walk, L side, then front 1 minute run)

(Remember to keep abs tight and arms up shoot whenever possible for upper body)

*Squat jumps – squat then jump with hands high in the air.  Down and up as fast as you can.
*Knee tucks - Jump high, tucking knees high, tapping them with your hands in front of you.
*Lateral hurdle jumps – with both feet, side jump over an object then quickly jump back to other side.
*Power skipping OR Bounding (exaggerated running)
*Box jumps - work on progressing up to higher boxes.  Have your feet tap and jump down or walk it down.
*Plyo Push-ups - push so fast that your hands leave the floor for a second. Clap them if you want. (Work on progressing from Girl à Boy style)
*Split squat lunges. Like single leg lunges but instead you jump and switch legs with 90 degree swinging arms.

Finish with core work:

-Stability ball sit-ups 25 reps
-Assisted chin-ups 12 reps (need to work on this not being assisted)
-Plank hold for 1+ minute
Rest & repeat 3 times

Stretch it all out  (My FAVORITE part!)

Summer Fun List 2012

Every year I make up a list of things I want to do with my kids to make some memories.  Last year I only got half of them done.  I'm bound and determined to fit it all in this summer.  Maybe if we start a little early, like right now, we'll be able to get it all done.  :)

Summer Fun List for 2012

1.       Outdoor "concert in the park"
2.       New Outdoor Amphitheatre with Dad
3.       Bear Lake family reunions: Minnetonka Cave, 50 mile Bike Ride, Pickleville Playhouse, Talent Show, sandcastles on Rendevous Beach, shaved ice and raspberry shakes
4.       Hogle Zoo, Liberty Park (wear swim suits underneath for waterpark) and Tracy Aviary
5.       Thanksgiving point gardens, dino museum, feed the farm animals, eat an ice cream tower, see the new Brave movie
6.       Red Butte Gardens
7.       The Leonardo museum by Salt Lake City Library, have lunch on the roof of the library.  Yes, you can legally do that and it's safe.
8.       Lagoon with Dad
9.       Clark Planetarium, Discovery Gateway, City Creek Disney Store, Temple Square, lunch at Lion House, Church History Museum
10.   Hike Cecret Lake then go to the new Natural History Museum
11.   Donut Falls and Living Planet Aquarium
12.   Family Bike Ride to McD’s for smoothies
13.   Library, B&N Reading programs
14.   Provo Beach Resort with Dad
15.   Snowbird with coupon with Dad
16.   Planet Play with coupon with Dad
17.   Short hike to Ensign Peak and then visit Gilgal Gardens
18.   Airborne jump place with coupon, lunch at IKEA, Bowling that night with Dad
19.   Cupcakes on Sundays – homemade, different every week, share extras with neighbors so I don't get pleasantly plump again.
20.   Crafting: large gumball bracelet and edible necklace (fruit loops & cheerios), melted crayon art, corn syrup paintings, tie dye shirts, paint hot rocks, black magic art, angry birds balloon fight, noodle light saber swords, handmade geodes from egg shells, sidewalk chart art in driveway, origami, sew pajama pants
21.   Redbox movies and pizza on Friday nights.  Our baby hates the real theatre, or maybe she just wants us to save the money and spend it on her in the future.  She won't tell me.
22.   Family Camping – foil dinner & smores with Dad
23.   Gardner Village
24.   Bridal Veil Falls and BYU MOA
25.   Jeeping with Dad
26.   Picnic at Sugarhouse Park? Make red & white blanket with embroidered handprints.  Large squares = quick sewing job
27.   Rock Wall climbing
28.   Fly kites
29.   Paint yourself with chocolate pudding then have a water balloon fight
30.   Fishing
31.   Wheeler Farm
32.   Mini golf
33.   Boondocks
34.   Splash pad in Herriman
35.   Blow bubbles – make all sorts of devices with yarn, wire, etc.
36.   Block Party - homemade rootbeer, jumping castle, BBQ, don’t forget tiki torches.  We don’t share with bugs.
37.   Color Me Mine pottery studio with Dad for Mother’s Day or Mom’s Birthday.  I really want a large platter with all their handprints on it.
38.  Sew and construct a Summer Tent from PVC pipes

So far behind, where to start?

I've been a slacker blogger, sorry.  Life happens though.  I was released from Relief Society and am now the newest Nursery Teacher.  Snacks, storytime and toys... what's not to love?  I really do enjoy it and the time goes by fast and it's a good workout getting up and down all the time with those adorable toddlers.

I just realized I haven't even downloaded the pictures off my camera since my last post.  Christmas was great in our new home.  We stuck to 3 gifts because that's what the Savior received.  Everyone was happy and it was enough. 

I had a late start to my New Year's Resolutions.  My 5 year old told me in a complimentary way and with his sweet, innocent smile that I was the fattest mommy ever (he seriously thought that was a good thing) which made me realize (again) that I needed to make some changes.  So late January I signed up at the local gym and have been going almost every day.  20 pounds lighter now, I'm happier and eating healthier and praying I don't get injured again.  So far so good.  I'm doing a 25 mile bike race next week!

February my oldest turned 14 and started growing facial hair.  Scary.  :S  But the rest of him is perfectly perfect so I'm not complaining, I just like to tease him about it.  Our baby broke her arm falling from a padded ottoman onto padded carpet.  Our first broken bone and it's the baby!  Luckily it didn't require surgery but still cost us an arm and a leg.  No pun intended.  They day she got her cast off, she immediately wanted to swing on the monkey bars again.  She's learning new words every day.  I love her to pieces.  I haven't been able to cut my hair because she loves to play with it and tickle her face with it.  It's her pacifier.  She just came in here and saw a freckle on my arm, called it an owie and kissed it better.  See?  She's adorable.  I'm so lucky!

March we celebrated our 15th wedding anniversary and went to Ruth's Chris Steakhouse which was heavenly.  They put rose petals on our table and gave us free dessert.  Then I blindfolded my husband and drove him to a hotel for massages, more dessert and a restful night's sleep without little kids coming in at 5:00am.  (Thanks to my parents for driving up and watching our kids)  It was fabulous and I'm looking forward to next year for our Sweet Sixteen.  Maybe if we start saving now we can go on our first cruise.

April we enjoyed LDS General Conference in a new way.  It was a little pricey, took longer, required some work but everyone listened to all the sessions so it was a success.  I'll share...

Darin Adams is a co-host of Studio 5, my favorite local morning show that I like to Tivo.  He was featured on another show as to how they keep their family together for the 4 two-hour sessions of church that airs on TV semi-annually.  I love watching it because it's like a vacation but a sprititual feast all at the same time.  Anyway, he shared the idea that for each apostle that they listen to they have a snack that is somehow related to that person or their name.  He gave a few suggestions but not a complete list so I had to do a little research.  Here's what we came up with:

President Thomas S. Monson (Darin had the honor of meeting him in person and asked him what his favorite treat was and he said...) Orange Sherbet
Henry B. Eyring - airheads (he's a physics grad, a pretty smart guy, not an airhead)
Deiter F. Uchtdorf - German waffles (they're hard, thin and have a yummy caramel center)
Boyd K. Packer - a "pack" of gum.  I know some of these are a stretch.
L. Tom Perry - raspberries because he's from Logan Utah and they grow them best there and we needed some healthy snacks in here.
Elder Oaks - reminded me of an Oak tree.  Trees give us nuts so we had mixed nuts.  Stretchy like spandex huh?
Elder Ballard - was president of the Canadian mission so we made Figgy Duff (like bread pudding but with molasses)
Elder Hales - yogurt covered raisins that look like HAIL because Walmart doesn't carry dippin dots which would've been much cooler.
Elder Nelson - carrots because heart surgeons like healthy options.
Elder Scott - pop rocks because he was a nuclear engineer.
Elder Holland - I found Holland mints!  They're hard, round and peppermint flavored.
Elder Bednar (who unfortunately didn't speak in any of those 4 sessions but maybe he did at Priesthood session?)  Pringles because he was president of BYU Idaho and they do potatoes best up there.
Elder Cook - we "cook"ed up some chocolate chip "cook"ies.  :) 
Elder Christoffereson - Snickers salad from the BYU cookbook since that's where he gradutated from.  It's basically cool whip that has blue food coloring with cut up Snickers. 
Elder Anderson - knows 4 languages and lived in Florida so we shared 4 oranges.

Hope you're enjoying a wonderful spring day!  ~Karen

Holiday To-Do List

First of all I want to congratulate my son on his photography entry (see previous post.)  He won an award and went to District.  Hooray!  OK, now check out this blog, now back to my blog.  :)
http://eighteen25.blogspot.com/2011/12/holiday-to-do-list.html  Just gotta find me a frame and pick up my prints at Costco.  In the meantime, here's what I plan to put on it.  Enjoy!

Our Holiday To-Do List:
-Festival of Trees (Always the very beginning of December - they have all sorts of tree, wreath and amazing Gingerbread House displays, a Kids Korner, yummy treats and crafts to buy all to support Primary Children's Hospital.  If you've never been, put it on your calendar for next year)

-Decorate the Christmas Tree (check!)

-Watch Polar Express and drink hot chocolate (check!)
-Make personalized ornaments (almost checked!)
-See Temple Square Lights
-Make fudge
-Visit Santa
-Make Wish Lists to send to Santa
-Enjoy eggnog ice cream
-Read Christmas books (next year I plan on wrapping them and opening one a night - at least that's what I told myself last year)
-Sing Christmas hymns
-Donate food to the food drive
-Wrap presents
-Decorate Gingerbread House
-Deliver Neighbor Gifts
-Mail Christmas Cards
-Build a snowman
-Go skiing & sledding
-Watch "It's a Wonderful Life"
-Read the story of Christ's birth
-Make Christmas Jell-O
-Ward Christmas Party
-See the new Christmas movie (why does popcorn taste better in the theatre?)
-Make fresh homemade snow cones
-Christmas Morning French Toast Breakfast Casserole
-Stake Christmas Fireside
-Learn to play a Christmas song
-Make caramel popcorn
-Ice skating downtown
-Gardner Village’s Elf Scavenger Hunt
-Play games until midnight to welcome the New Year!

What are some of YOUR favorite Christmas traditions?

Fall colors

My 11 year old has recently gotten interested in photography.  I want to share with you the picture he took recently for a Reflections contest at school.  Story behind the picture: We drove up the canyon several times to try and get a picture of the leaves changing colors.  Did I mention my camera is 5 years old and I've never learned how to use it?  I don't have the time.  I love it when I get a perfect picture with my camera.  Anyway, the canyon was gorgeous, I wish we'd driven up there sooner to see the changing colors - this is our first year doing it and we've lived here 11 years.  Sometimes we got up there late so it was too dark and the pictures didn't turn out right.  It's just not the same as seeing it in person.  Anyway, I went to get the mail one afternoon and low and behold, this tree in our yard was starting to explode with color.  It reminded me of those "firecracker" or "rainbow" popsicles I used to love as a kid.  I ran inside and told Jeremy and he shot this picture.

It made me think, "God is truly amazing."  He made all these beautiful things for us to enjoy - in our own backyard.  He gave us variety.  I enjoy it, marvel in it, and I'm thankful to a Supreme Creator for letting me realize it.  Someday I'm going to ask him, "How did you make green leaves turn yellow, red then brown?"  Amazing...

Running, running, running

I love how her left arm swings but the right doesn't.  Thank heavens for squeaky shoes, I haven't lost her yet.

Summer recap

We were gone almost all summer, seriously.  I think we were home a total of 10 days in between mid-June and the first day of school.   My mom shattered her ankle in May and so I packed up my kids and headed up to Bear Lake to help her get thru the summer.  We were also gone for two family reunions during that time.  My mom manages cabins up there during the summer for family vacations.
 

www.bearlakelodge.com 

It was a good year, meaning busy.  She was short on maids so while I went and cleaned places every day she would keep an eye on my kids while doing paperwork.  My oldest is pretty good about babysitting but they all get tired of each other after spending all day together in a smaller place.  Thank heavens for DVDs, video games, books and Bear Lake raspberries.  The first month she needed quite a bit of help because she was still in her wheelchair so I did most of the cooking as well.  She tried to do as much as possible but it's hard getting around with a wheelchair.  She's recovering much faster than we anticipated.  She can now walk around a little even though she has 15 screws and 2 plates in her leg.  It's truly been a miracle.

During Raspberry Days we had a 2-day break so we went and enjoyed the festivities.  The kids were happy about that.  The beach was almost nonexistent this year because of the high water levels and it was COLD.  We went to the beach once and that was enough, I didn't want to go again.  We got to do a bunch of "firsts" this year like ride the big bike, have shaved ice, enjoy the parade, shopping, ride the race cars, and go on a 10 mile hike.   (My boy scout is passing off his hiking merit badge so I was his travel buddy - since then we've done two more 10 milers and are doing the big 20 miler next weekend.)  We forgot breakfast and remembered after mile one (should've gone back.)  2 hours later we got to the KOA market and loaded up.  At mile 8 we found a bush of wild raspberries and thanked heaven for the angel that planted it.  LOL

Also during the summer, my cousin Loren got married to a sweet girl named Samantha in the Salt Lake Temple and they had their reception in our backyard.  We got home the day before to clean the house and left the morning after for Bear Lake again.  Super fun party - I would totally do it again.  Isn't she gorgeous - what a lucky guy!

Relief Society Birthday Dinner Idea

I just wanted to share what we did for our Relief Society Birthday Dinner last March.  I always like looking around for new ideas so here's one that might work for your ward.  I threw out my back a week or two before the dinner (not fun with 5 kids - my house quickly became a disaster zone) so our RS President and Coordinator took over and did a fabulous job putting together a wonderful evening.  The night of the event, I felt well enough to go hobble around.  I took 4 Advil when I got home but it was worth it.  I wish I would've taken pictures, sorry.

Charms on magnet card as placecard and take home gift.  On a 3x4 scrapbooked card there was tied a little high-heel charm they could add to a bracelet or key chain so they would remember the night.

High heel cookie cutout frosted so cute in a clear bag as a dessert or take home gift.  A lady in our ward decorates cookies for her job so she helped make them deliciously fancy.

Visiting Teaching Skit put on by the presidency and committee.  The RS President played her part and our 1st counselor played a sister that needed to be visit taught.  Then we had pairs of sisters come "visit" her (each pair wore a different kind of shoe).  The skit was similair to this video:  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GkG1W0GeF_c  It was hilarious!

We decorated the tables with different solid colored tablecloths and dollar store girl's dress up shoes.  The tables were already set to save time.  We did a potluck dinner since budget was tight.

Also on the stage we had a tower of shoes.  We asked sisters to donate gently used shoes that we could give to the Humanitarian Center later.  We ate dinner, did the skit and then we did a service project - we tied strips of fabric onto new dollar store flip flops that we donated the next day.   The best part was getting to sit down and enjoy dinner and talk with each other.  We're always so busy with our lives  that we never take the time to stop and really visit.  That was my favorite part.

Upstairs - Little Kids & Craft Room

My mom broke her leg so we've been helping her out quite a bit and I'm making a quilt for our family reunion.  We've been busy.  This summer is going by way too fast.  Here's the rest of the pictures of our "new" house.  Sisters Room - my 8 year old loves to practice gymnastics in here and it's big enough that she can.  She loves to read so I put together all my old bookcases from my childhood room and now she has a library wall.

Four year old's room - still need some more IKEA kids furniture.  There's a mini tramp in the corner and from the stud rings we hang a trapeze bar - sometimes it's in timeout because it gets too wild in there.

Craft Room - My old kitchen table is on the other wall but it still had stuff on it.  It was our wedding gift from my Nana.  I also have a hutch and counter-desk that was hers.  In the old house my craft room didn't have a closet so I am LOVING that!  There's the quilt I should be tying right now.

The kids love the new house and all the space.  They enjoy playing hide-n-seek since there are so many places to hide.  I imagine we'll stay here as long as we can cause moving is just too hard.

Upstairs - Laundry & Master

First of all I have to say that the upstairs laundry room was a huge seller for me.  The idea of not having to haul stuff up and down stairs... *sigh*  I bet you a woman thought of that.  My 8 year old keeps her sewing machine and craft stuff in here like paints and playdough.  There's also a wash sink in here.

Master Bedroom - that's a Cal King and yes, our baby still sleeps with us.  I love watching her wake up so bright and happy every morning and it's fun to cuddle with a freshly bathed baby as I go to sleep.

Master Bath - big enough to live in.  I think our bedroom at our first house WAS actually this size...

Everyone but me has used that jacuzzi tub.  Someday... someday.