Boot Camp

Please tell me what would entice me out of my bed some mornings and into the cold, dark beginning of another day, to spend 45 minutes torturing my muscles (that I have forgotten about these many years) on the soaking wet grass for? BOOT CAMP! I am not quite sure why they call it that. It should be YOUR BUTT IS GONNA HURT CAMP or I CAN'T WALK UPSTAIRS ANYMORE CAMP or ITS GONNA HURT TO SNEEZE, LAUGH, AND MOVE CAMP. I think the reason they call it boot camp is... because for the first however long, the instructor has to kick you with a boot to keep you moving because you can't move.

I have to keep telling my self that this is good for me. But... I hate it. I even told the instructor this morning "I hate you! I will someday appreciate that you pushed me so hard but right now I hate you."

Someone asked me how it was going. She said that she would hate having someone push her into training. Well, my answer is, some of us have to be compelled into fitness just as some are humble enough to know that they need to do it and get it done all on their own. I think it is that way with many things. Some have to be forced to attend school while others love to go. I am glad I have choice over all things.

One thing is certain here, I am sore. As I move during the day, I am hoping that the pain I feel in some way is shrinking my size and burning calories. This has made me more grateful for this wonderful body I have. I hope I can treat it better in the future!

No Pain, No Gain eh?. Hopefully it is No Pain, No Loss. Keep on trucking! :)

Sleep

So why is it that when you want to get a good nights sleep, you can't. Your mind just won't shut down. There is no power down switch, no button, no power cord, and not even a control/alt/Delete key. So I lay down on my bed, and Alan snores which just reminds me that I can't sleep. And him sleeping so deeply will not allow me to sleep either. So I move to the guest room where the bed is not my bed and is hard and I would have a difficulty sleeping on it as well. There are a million and one things I could be doing but the whole house is asleep and I don't want to disturb their sleep. So I decide to get up and work on my computer, playing with photographs, listening to music on my ipod and hope that I can stay awake tomorrow. But I know the minute I sit down tomorrow when I want to be awake, I will be snoozing. Happy ZZZZZZZzzzzzzzzzzz!

Happy 18th Anniversary to us.

Alan and I have been married 18 years today. So I thought I would list 18 reasons why I love my man (in no particular order).

1. He is my sweetheart.
2. He loves the Lord.
3. He has a funny sense of humor.
4. He is a great father.
5. He is a wonderful teacher.
6. He plans a wonderful vacations.
7. He brings me flowers just because.
8. He loves to give surprises.
9. He is very picky (which means he was about me too).
10. He is a super kisser.
11. He gives fabulous hugs.
12. When he sets his mind to something, it gets done.
13. He is loyal.
14. He looks "hot"!
15. He's a great cook.
16. He's the best snuggler.
17. He savors the scriptures.
18. He loves the outdoors and participating in sports.




And now after 18 years, we have four awesome kids who tell us to get a room when we show any public displays of affection. To which we reply, "We bought a house. Every room is ours." They are great kids with not so great parents. We love them and hope for the best for them.

I look back at those two years while I waited for him to get off his mission. I learned from those times he wasn't around and I am grateful the Lord showed me that he was my man. I wouldn't change much and I would do it all over again. Thanks for all the wonderful memories we have together. May we cherish those we have, enjoy making more, and forget all the ones that bring pain. I love you Alan. :) K8e

2009 summer vacation

This summer brought a new and different aspect to our lives. As Alan has been out of work, we took a real family vacation. One where we went lots of places and where Alan was with us the whole time. In years past he has just stayed a day or two with us and then had to head back to work. It was fun to be together seeing new sights and experiencing lots of new things. We enjoyed the experience.

We started our vacation driving over to San Bernadino for Tessa to play in a soccer tournament. The girls played well, and the weather was lovely. The next stop we went to was Pismo Beach. The water was a little on the cool side but we had fun several days enjoying the sand and the ocean. We drove up Highway 1 in California (very windy roads and gorgeous scenery) and passed through Alan's high school days stomping ground in San Jose.

Our next stop was San Francisco. We stayed outside of the city and road the train in. We bought passes for transportation and rode all over the city. I think it was the first time we all had been on a city bus together. The kids loved it. On our final day when we were leaving the city, Alan and the kids biked across the Golden Gate Bridge. They loved it.



Our next stop was the beautiful Lake Tahoe. I had never been. I didn't realize how big and beautiful it was. We had a wonderful day on the shore of the lake kayaking, peddling a big water bike and enjoying the perfect weather.




Then on to Utah to spend the 4th of July with family. We have a wonderful tradition around the fourth and it was important for my kids to be there. And there is no place on earth that celebrates the 4th of July like Utah; especially Utah county. Alan and Tessa got up early on the 4th and ran the 10K. They both did fabulous.

We all get together and play frizbee football and baseball and whatever else game we care to play, we eat and have our GORP (really fun trailmix with everyone's favorite sugared cereal and candy mixed in a plastic baggie) and watch the fireworks. It's tradition and last year when we didn't make it to Utah for the 4th, I heard about it for the whole year.
While we were in Utah my niece Chrissy took these FABULOUS family pictures for us. There are so many good ones that I had a hard time deciding which ones to put on this blog. Know that there were a lot more than I am showing.






It was a wonderful vacation. One I hope stays with us a long time.

My Mentor, my friends.

I started taking pictures because I was lucky enough to meet and become friends with a talented man who was a photographer. I had the opportunity to work in his studio for a time. One of the greatest things I learned from him was to use humor to get people to be themselves. He just celebrated his 84th birthday. He and his wife are some of my dearest friends. He is now in an assisted living home and I try to visit him weekly. Today, I went to visit and I took my camera with me. To you, these pictures might not be too impressive. I was happy to get him as he is. All photographers have a hard time being on the other side of the lens. He had a hard time at first but he let me take as many as I wanted. His wife is also an amazing woman. I don't know one person that knows her that doesn't love her. Together they are ones that I want to be like when I grow up. I am impressed with their love and care of each other. I want to thank them for loving me for who I am. They are truly kindred spirits. I am grateful that in my lifetime I was blessed to have them be a part of my life. They are wonderful people and I love them.

This little puppy got a broken leg as he was trying to follow someone through a door.

Janeal and Ryan's Wedding

Last week I had the opportunity to go to Utah and take my niece's wedding pictures. We had a grand time. Here are just a few of the 1000+ pictures I took. It was great to be with family. I love being with them all.

Spring Break in Utah

Spring Break was a fun adventure for our family. We drove to Utah and most of us went skiing or snowboarding at different ski resorts in Utah. They have had record snow fall this year and the weather was great. Here are some photos taken at Brighton Ski Resort.




This is Megan and Josh with my brother-in-law Charlie. He didn't wear goggles or a hat and you should see the burn on the top of his head and the redness of his eyes. Can you get sunburn in your eyes. I think so. But sunburn or not, they all had a great time.

While the kids were on the slopes, Tessa and I had our own kind of vacation. I went shopping with my sister-in-law, sewed with my sister, made two quilts, and dipped Chocolates. (My favorites were the ruffle potato chips.) Tessa read and watched movies and is recovering from Mono.

While in Utah we had the opportunity to go to the Draper, Utah Temple open-house. I can not describe to you my feelings as we walked quietly through this sacred building. Even though the Temple has not been dedicated yet, I felt a wonderful peace settle over me as we entered. The Bride's Room (this is where the brides get dressed for their wedding) was so beautiful. The chandelier from the ceiling looked like it was a Queen's crown. And the light fixtures on the walls looked like Tiaras. I was impressed that truly each daughter of God that gets dressed in that room should feel like they are royalty. I wish I could have taken a picture to show you, but it wasn't allowed.

The other room that took my breath away was the Celestial Room. This is the room where your experience at the Temple ends. It signifies the end of our journey as we enter into Gods presence. Kind of like coming home to a loving Father in Heaven. This room was bright and so breath taking, so beautiful. The carpets were carved and the stained glass windows so sparkling and bright. No one spoke in this room. And one could feel the presence of love and devotion.

Here is a picture of us out in front of the Temple. It was a very blustery day and cold for us Arizona people. We enjoyed our experience so much. We look forward to the Temple Open-house for the Gilbert, Az Temple after it gets built.