Hike the "Y"... Check!

Bright and early this morning, my boys and I did something that we've wanted to do ever since we've lived in Provo...

We finally hiked to the "Y"!

I was told that it wasn't an easy hike and so I shyed away from it. But, I made a goal, along with my boys, that this summer we would do it. Every week since early April they have asked me, "Can we hike the 'Y' this Saturday?"

(In Max's case it was a question I heard daily.)

I knew I wasn't going to get out of doing it this year so I shocked them last night and said we were going in the morning.

(Here's the excited hikers at the beginning of the trailhead)

Well, I have to say that I was miserable. Nothing like a mountain hike to show you just how out of shape you really are! I was sucking air like a fish out of water! At marker #5, I sat down on the bench and I really thought I wouldn't make it. I told the boys I was sorry but they would have to go on without me. But they waited with me a while and I told them to go ahead and I'd eventually catch up. So, the boys went on ahead.

I have to tell you that this was a big deal to me. I wanted to prove to myself that I could do this and when I thought I wasn't going to make it, I started crying. I felt like an idiot for crying but I REALLY wanted to do this. I just kept thinking, "How did I get SO out of shape?" I guess I just always thought that I'm not that out of shape. Today reality hit and it hit hard! I really need to change this! So, once I got myself together, I carried on to catch up to my boys.

I was trying not to get discouraged because all these groups of people were passing me up (one group even passed on their way down too!). It took me forever it seemed like. I had to stop every so often to catch my breath and rub my calves. (I was suprised my legs didn't cramp up until more towards the end so that was a good thing!) When I reached marker #8 I looked up and saw Jake! He came back to check on me! What a great son I tell you what!!! That made me want to finish this faster and it was so wonderful when I finally saw the "Y" up close! All I have to say is this was definitely the hardest thing I've done, physically, in a long, long time.

But I did it!

We all did it!

I wish I could have been with the boys and made it together because I guess when they reached the top Max said,
"This is the best day of my life!"

Unfortunately Max's excitment was briefly interrupted. He was climbing at the top of the "Y" and noticed that I had finally made it. Well, he tried to go down the trail to meet me and lost his footing and rolled down a small hill. (That's why he's good and dusty in the pictures.) He scraped his knee up pretty badly and has scratches all over but he's a tough boy and is doing fine (Thank Heavens!). Here's a picture of Jake carrying Max down the hill to me. What a good brother! Thank Heavens Jake was prepared too! He had a first aid kit in his backpack and was able to fix Max up a bit. I guess Scouts has helped after all!

But, Max wasn't down for long! He was telling me how proud he was that he had made it. I was pretty proud of us too! We stayed up on the hill for quite some time relaxing and taking pictures of good old Provo.

Then, after enjoying a snack and some rest, we headed back down.

For me, this was a huge accomplishment and I'm so proud of my boys. We had a great time and I'm so glad we went. But, don't be expecting to see me up that mountain again anytime soon. I have to get into better shape before I attempt this again!

I Want to Ride My Bicycle...I Want to Ride My Bike

Here's my bike.

I've wanted a bike for a long time but have had issues with getting one.

My doctor told me to exercise (like I didn't already KNOW I needed to!). I have Anterior Compartment Syndrome (something Athletic people more commonly suffer from so why I have it...?) and my legs cramp up somethin' awful when I try to walk for exercise so walking/jogging is not an option for me. I tried swimming but then that means I have to get into a bathing suit so that's just not a comfortable option either. (Trust me!)

So that left biking.

I have refrained from getting a bike because I was afraid of the "looks" I would get and possible comments like,

"Where's the seat lady!?!"

(yes, I have my pride!)

Well, after being totally disgusted, realizing I gained back the small amount of weight I lost last year, I swallowed my pride and bought a bike.

Being the cheapsake I am and not knowing if I would enjoy riding a bike again, I bought a cheapie bike at Target. I figured if I really enjoyed it, I'd invest in a better one. I also bought one of those trailer things for Emma. And, if you notice in the picture, I bought a new jumbo seat to make it a little more comfortable.

As it turns out,

I really like riding my bike.

It's not the most comfortable bike to ride (I wish I could raise the handlebars about 4 inches) but it holds me and I guess that's all that matters.

I try to ride at least 5 times a week and I've been pretty sucessful at keeping that goal.

I'm pretty proud of that!

I have learned that hills are bad (especially pulling a 45 lb. child behind you) so we walk up those. I have also learned that I'm a major Sweat Hog so using my bike to get somewhere is out of the question. (I thought it would be fun to ride to the library or something but when I look like I ran through sprinklers after every ride, that's out of the question!) I also have to try not to look at my shadow while riding. That's really depressing! I have also tried to not pay attention to people doing double takes while passing me. I think they are amazed that I can stay up or something. I don't know.

I also think it's funny when I ride around the neighborhood and I see my ward members and neighbors with looks of shock on their faces when they see me riding a bike. It's also funny when kids yell out,

"Way to go Sis. H!"

Thanks for the encouragement!

So, if you happen to see me riding along, smile and wave and try not to laugh even though I know I look funny.

A Manly Random Conversation

My boys crack me up!

Last night, while working on the computer, I overheard a conversation Jake, Scott, and Cole were having while watching "Emeril Live"

BAM!

They were discussing KitchenAid stand mixers.

It was agreed that they are cool and that

every kitchen should have one.

(Ummm...Why don't I have one then? Anyway...)

Then they were saying how cool it is that they come in so many different colors.

"Emeril's green mixer is pretty cool," Jake said.

Cole thought Alton Brown's was cooler.

(Yes, we watch the Food Network too much!)

Scott was just amazed that Emeril was using a handmixer and not his KitchenAid.

"They never use those!"

he said amazed because they always use their KitchenAids.

It was then agreed that KitchenAids make baking easier.

(Ummm...Again...Why then don't I have one?)

They also all agreed that they would never use a pink one or even a yellow one because they were "fruity".

I just had to laugh that my teenage boys were discussing KitchenAids of all things.

Boys are so funny!

My Cousin, a Hero

This is my cousin, Damon and his darling wife Ashley.


The last time I saw him was about 20 years ago.
His parents got divorced and his mother kept him away from our family all these years.
None of us ever knew anything about him.
We had no idea the kind of man he had become.

Sunday, we received some bad news about Damon.

We just found out that he was killed in Iraq last week.
He was a MP in the Army and was driving a Humvee that was ambushed by insurgents in Baquba, Iraq.
He died of injuries sustained by this attack.

He was only 27 years old.
He was a returned missionary.
He was married.
He was a dad to two beautiful little girls.
He never got to see his youngest daughter because she was born after he was deployed.
Now, he's gone.

I wish I could put into words what I'm feeling. This is just such a tragedy! I can't imagine how difficult this is for his wife. How do you explain this to his small children? He was supposed to come home next month on leave to see his daughter for the first time. It's so sad!

This has really hit home. It has made me think more about the incredible sacrifices our soldiers and their families are so willing to make to protect our freedoms and the freedom of others.

I don't ever want to take this for granted!

I am so incredibly proud to know that the cute little red-headed boy I once knew grew up to be such a hero! Thank you Damon! You will be missed!

Summertime Equation

6 cousins together...

plus 2 adorable little ladies...

plus 4 hilarious boys...

plus 1 beautiful day at the best park EVER...
plus 2 giggling bathing beauties...

plus 100's of silly jokes and goofy stunts...

equals...

One Perfect Afternoon!

And They're Off....(FINALLY!)

It's that glorious time of year again--The week long Aaronic Priesthood Encampment (AKA Scout Camp).

This is Lee's 5th or 6th week long camp he's gone to (I've lost track). It's quite the ordeal getting two scouts and the leader ready for such a camp let me tell you!

This year, Lee was in charge of buying all the food, supplies, activities, etc. and he helped organized the whole camp program. I really think they did a great job and I know the boys are going to have a great experience. I just really hate the chaos of getting everything ready.

Boy, do I hate it!

Over the weekend, my house was turned upside down and the living room, the refrigerator, and the yard was overtaken by camping equipment, backpacks, boxes upon boxes of food, clothes that needed to be washed and clothes that should be put in their packs but instead laid out all over waiting until the last possible second to be packed up! I had a husband who was so incredibly stressed out that he was on the verge of a nervous breakdown wondering if he spent too much at Macey's and wondered if he could have gotten the tomato sauce cheaper at Sam's Club.

*sigh*

Let's just say, that although I will miss them GREATLY,
I am SO glad they are finally there!

Is it just me or have some children's birthday parties gotten way out of hand these days?

What happened to simple parties? You know, the one's where you went over to your friend's house (or maybe a park), played some games such as Pin The Tail On The Donkey or Musical Chairs (Freeze Dance -- also a classic.), opened presents, had cake and ice cream, played with friends until it was time to go,

and then leaving with a small party favor.

Being the mother of six children, birthday parties are

a common part of life.

I love it when my children are excited that they were invited to a party.

I love that they want to share in their friend's special day.

I love helping them pick out a simple, thoughtful gift for their friend.

(Some may think me cheap, and I am, but I don't think it's my job to spend the bucks

to make my children's friend's birthday wishes come true.

But that's another post for another day.)

All-in-all, I love the whole idea of birthday parties.

Over the past few years, however, I have noticed a trend in birthday parties. A lot aren't hosted by parents anymore but instead by businesses such as Chuck E. Cheese, Extreme Sports, McDonalds, etc. Or they are invited over for dinner and to watch a video.

To be honest with you, I don't understand.

I have a niece that lives in Salt Lake that attends school with many affluent people. They hold birthday parties at Build-A-Bear, Hogle Zoo, etc. that cost an arm and a leg, I'm sure. When it was my niece's birthday, my sister thought she had to keep up with the rest of them and rented out Classic Skating. My niece invited 50 of her closest friends!

I think this is ridiculous, I'm sorry!

I have thrown many a birthday party in my day and I can tell you, from experience, the best ones are the ones that are simple. If children are allowed and encouraged to interact with each other, that's when the fun exists!

I have to say, that when Cole turned 8 (I think) we fell into this trap and had a party for him at Extreme Sports. It was the worst party we ever had. Parents just dropped their kids off and I was responsible for them and it scared the crap out of me. Kids were running every which way, they didn't even care about celebrating Cole's birthday (they just wanted to play), they were onery, and some even pulled fits when I didn't buy them all the soda's they wanted. I told myself NEVER AGAIN!

And I mean it...Never again. It's just ridiculous!

I say...

keep it simple people!

Some of our favorite parties have been theme parties. Having a theme helps with the planning a great deal.

We've had a Hawaiian Party which was really fun. The girls made their own grass skirts out of streamers and paper flowers. They learned to hula (from an instructional video) and had Hawaiian Haystacks for dinner. It was a lot of fun!

We've had a Men in Black party and asked everyone to wear black. For a favor, everyone got sunglasses (just the cheapy ones you can buy in bulk) and we had a homemade alien pinata. Also, a fun one.

One year, Scott wanted a Pioneer party (when he was about 5). Everyone came dressed as pioneers and all the games were played around a campfire made out of paper.

When Max turned 6, he had an airplane themed party. The invitations were paper airplanes and all the games were airplane themed. We taught the kids how to make paper airplanes and we had contests on how far the airplanes flew and we flew them into the runway (see pictures). The kids loved this!

For Cole's 4th birthday, we had a King Cole party. We blew bubbles with our bubble "pipes", we played a beanbag toss into our "bowls" and played Freeze dance to music by our "fiddler's three". We made king hats and it was a hit also.

We've also had baseball, cowboys, Indian, tea party, princess, and pirate parties. Simple crafts are a hit as well with children. We made Indian headbands at the Indian party and decorated paper cowboy vests made from paper grocery bags at the cowboy party.

As the kids get older, I have to admit, it gets harder to plan parties. Jake's recent party was last minute so it didn't turn out the way I would have wanted but it was very simple and he loved it because his friends were there and they have fun together.

That's all that's important.

It's not hard to plan a party. It doesn't have to take tons of money or time to have a great party. The important thing to remember is that kids just want to spend time with their friends and have fun.

What do you do when you'r bored and too tired to do really anything?

I see who my children's celebrity look-alikes are.
(very productive, I know!)

Here's Emma's.

Who's Darin Zanya anyway?

Elisabeth's

She can look like them but she better never act like some of them!

(Namely Lindsey Lohan!)

Jake

Lana Turner? I don't think so!!!

Cole

Antonio Banderas...yowza!

Scott

I didn't like the other celebrities they choose for Scott so I chose the cutest!

Max

I would think Superman with that curl!