Travel Dreamin'

Ayers Rock, Australia













Alaska








Anywhere tropical! Doesn't this look nice right now?










Canyon De Chelly, Arizona










Mayan Ruins - Central America

Macchu Picchu, Peru

New York City

Grand Canyon

Fitness Update

How are you doing with fitness goals? We're now in to February - wow! This is the time that many people quit their New Year's fitness goals. Let's not quit now!

I have lost a total of 11 pounds - yeah!! I have been eating less and have been eating more fruits and vegetables. I haven't really exercised (Oh, it will happen eventually, I promise!).

My family (dad, sis, brothers, husband, nephew) is going to run/walk the Bryce Canyon half marathon on July 19th. Some of us will be walking the 5k. Anyone is invited to join our crazy family!

Here's my plan for the half marathon:

February - Slowly start fitness & strength training program - 3x week
March - Step up fitness to 4x week (minimum)
April - Exercise 5x week. Start jogging.
May- Jogging/walking 5x week
June - Jogging 5x week with 1 long day
July - Half Marathon! Hope to have lost 30 pounds by race date.

I don't anticipate running the entire half marathon! I will do a lot of walking, I'm sure.

I'm also interested in yoga. Anyone know of a good yoga teacher/class in the SL valley? Do tell!

I have a bad habit of starting a fitness program and becoming so involved in it that I burn out or injure myself and then subsequently quit! I'm not going to do that this time. I plan to start slow, listen to my body, and make steady progress. I have not taken very good care of myself and plan to make this a lifestyle change.

What are your fitness/nutrition plans?

Gordon B. Hinckley

I have been profoundly saddened by the passing of President Hinckley on January 27. The world has lost a great man, indeed. I stayed awake last night reading about the life and qualities of such a humble and gracious man. What a remarkable life he lived! One does not have to be a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints to be touched by his goodness.

I don't want his legacy to end. I don't want the news media to stop talking about him. I haven't had the words to share how I feel about him...I still don't - so below are a few pictures and tributes I found touching.

http://www.glennbeck.com/content/articles/article/200/5127/?ck=1

http://www.fm100.com/?sid=120014&nid=83

http://www.ksl.com/?sid=104759&nid=288

http://www.ldsmag.com/photoessay/060331Hinckley.html

http://www.lds.org/gordonbhinckley






He will be missed.











President and Sister Hinckley in Moscow. He referred to her as his 'babushka'.









A true love story.

At the funeral of his beloved wife. I can't look at this picture without shedding tears of my own.






God be with you 'til we meet again.

Snow Zombies

My talented and beautiful children have let the depressing snow get to them too!

Elora Before:












Elora Now:













Larissa Before:













Larissa Now:













Connor Before:















Connor Now.










*The above pictures were posted by permission due to fear of mutiny.

Is there life beyond snow?

Today church was cancelled. Snow has become my life. I have nothing else of importance to blog about. I feel like a snow zombie.

~

Elora is stuck.

Fence is buried.

View out front window.

Even Stitch is unhappy and wants to go back inside.

Todd and neighbors have resorted to snow-blowing the streets. Snow plows are stuck.

Todd's goofy hat doesn't even cheer us.

I want my mommy.

The Good Old Days

I was browsing through pictures and broke out into a weeping, sobbing fit. Remember green grass? I forgot we actually have a tree in our front yard.

THEN:




Look at my son's mad longboarding skills.

NOW:

Sniff.

January Blues

I really don't see anything beneficial about the month of January and frankly, I'm happy it's almost over. Hallelujah!

I admit that I've succumbed to the January Blues. I long to see the green grass. I long to drive down our mountain and not have to worry about sliding on ice. I long to see blue skies, full trees and flowers in bloom. I miss flitting and twirling around a large grassy hill while singing the theme song to the 'Sound of Music'. What? You don't do that?

Ahem.

I read an article that claims that January 24 is the most depressing day of the year. There is actually a formula that is used to determine this day's depressing-ness. Here is the article:
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/4187183.stm

Since this is the most depressing time of the year - I decided to read about some ideas to combat the Winter blues. Here are some of the ideas that others have suggested:

• Plan a fun event or party to spice things up a bit
• Exercise (of course)
• Join a club
• Socialize with friends and family
• Get a spa treatment such as a facial or pedicure
• Start a blog! (that's my own idea, actually)
• Make fun of your husband (another idea of my own but it always provides a little glimmer of joy each time I do it)
• Go to Bryce, Zions, or Grand Canyon (wow, I'm full of great ideas)

So - do any of you have any fun plans or ideas to combat the blues? What do you do to feel better? Please share!