In Training

In my neighborhood it is cool to display your road biking
accomplishments on the back of your SUV. Of course, there's
nothing more prestigious than completing the LOTOJA bike
race. Anyone who's anyone has biked from Logan to Jackson
(206 grueling miles), the worlds longest single day road cycling
race. Well, I found an even better race.

Has anyone heard of the LAYTOKAY? It's short for Layton
to Kaysville, a grueling 1 mile stretch of flat land. I'm getting
ready!

There's a Ghost in My House!

Every morning when I wake up I'm never quite sure where
Tanner will be. Sometimes I'll have to drag him out of his bed.
Sometimes he will be quietly watching CNN or the stock exchange
ticker tape. This time I was a bit surprised.

There he is....fast asleep

What Is That?

Every door in this house has toothpicks stuck in the door casing.
Does a toothpick ward off evil spirits? Does it bring good luck to
the inhabitants? Do the toothpicks cast a powerful spell on whom-
ever shall enter?

No. We are not a superstitious family. We do, however, have a
sneaky little goblin living here who enjoys wreaking havoc
wherever he goes. Therefore every door is locked or chained or
blocked in some way. So if I need to fold laundry I take the
toothpick out of the door jamb and unlock the door. If I want
to go into my room I take the toothpick out of the door jamb
and unlock the door. If I want to use the restroom I take the
toothpick out of the door jamb and unlock the door. Get the point?


The fridge is locked

The cupboards are locked


Any door leading to the outside world is chained. Welcome to my world.

A New Look

Of all the colors known to man, Hailey chose this one...twice.

Last year Hailey wanted a new color for her room so Dave brought
a bunch of paint chips home. She chose this exotic lime green.

Then a month ago Hailey hinted again that she would sure like her
room painted. So Dave again went to Home Depot and brought home
the exact paint chips that he did before. She chose the same exotic
lime green.


The most amazing thing about this color however, is that Dave
consented to it and completed the room in only three days.

My Mom is Cooler Than Your Mom !

My mom is really fun. She does stuff, lots of stuff. My mom is
not the typical mom. When I go to her house she does not offer
me freshly baked cookies nor does she knit me a sweater.
Instead, she tells me to grab a water bottle because we're about
to go on a strenuous bike ride.
When she plans our yearly family vacations we never go to a
plush resort or a relaxing beach. No, we go hiking and
climbing and exploring and rafting and camping and biking.
It's exhausting!

Mom traversed a steep cliff to make it to this river. Risky behavior
for a 65 year old! Not a good example for your grandchildren!



Slot canyons will not stop her.


Bring on the danger!


How many moms do you know that will sleep out under the
stars miles and miles from civilization. My mom will!


My mom doesn't get her nails done, she doesn't get facials at
the spa. She doesn't watch Opra or read gossip magazines.
My mom is a mover.



No way is mom going to sit idly at the beach wearing a wide
brimmed hat. She's not an old lady!



She even plays the electric guitar. Rock it Mom!

The moments I relish most of all are when we all sit down at
the same chaotic table and have a big chaotic dinner. We
do this at least once a month. Thanks to mom!

After Christmas Blues

Love Christmas, Don't Want It to End

I love how the house looks for Christmas. I love the lights and the
decorations and the music and the parties. But come New Year's
Day all that I love gets put into a box and stored away.

Joys of Christmas

Christmas ain't easy!


Especially when there is a "sing-a-long" and I can't be sure of
what song I'm supposed to be singing


Christmas is hard. Especially when you need the "jaws of life" to
extricate your kids toy from the box it comes in

Wait a minute Tanner.....hold on.... just let me get that box off.....

Two hours later.....



Christmas is hard when the wrapping paper is more like an
indestructible tear resistant polymer and less like a decorative
disguise.
Use your teeth Hailey. If that doesn't work then I'll get the chainsaw


All that work for a bottle of lotion?


Christmas is hard because I usually get confused with Dave's choice
of gifts. This year he got me a Kindle (yeah!) But also two boxes
of books (huh?)


Christmas is hard for Dave because I always give him gifts
representing a "theme". This year I paid tribute to his "metro"
personality. I gave him some fabulous leather boots, a
merino wool scarf and gloves. Unfortunately, I forgot to
include the West Side Story Soundtrack--- "I feel pretty, oh so pretty,
I feel pretty and witty and ___!"



Sniffles, the guinea pig, is the only one that doesn't think Christmas
is hard. He doesn't have to unwrap his Christmas carrot.