Life Is Like...

You know the crazy lady at the gym that always says, "okay now, I want you to go as fast as you can. Now, go a little faster. Only a few more seconds now so just give it all you've got and go a little faster." Like I wasn't going my fastest to begin with because that's what she told me to do? After about 45 minutes of this when you're legs are shaking and you're wondering why you got out of bed she says, "now I want you to really work for the last 15 minutes" and then rattles something off about muscle failure. The whole time I'm kind of feeling like a failure because I obviously haven't been going fast enough or working hard enough to face such torture at the end.

Well, this type of experience has been a synonym for my life lately. Get up before the sun, go, go, go, and then instead of collapsing around 7 or 8 I get to push a little harder to run to the store, go to a class, a youth activity, whatever. And the whole time I'm thinking, I must be a failure because I'm not feeling the joys of motherhood, a sense of accomplishment from working out, or a feeling of satisfaction for staying on top of my responsibilities. I just feel tired and keep dreaming of staying in my warm bed for a day, or a week.

I read these interesting exercise articles from active.com and one that keeps running across my mind talks about how our physical selves are naturally inclined to be lazy and that every time we force our bodies to work we are going against it's natural inclination. Lately I've been feeling like my body may just win and I may give up on everything and become a couch potato. I realize there would be no satisfaction in that either, though, which is why I haven't succumbed yet.

I really think it would help if the sun would just come out and stay out for at least a day. Then I could avoid the crazy gym lady and ride my bike outside where no one is "motivating" me and the hills are real. And then I could forget how life is like my workout and just enjoy the feeling of the sun on my back, wind in my lungs, and muscles that are strong and performing well.

The Wizard of Oz

Dallin and Cameron's final performance of The Wizard of Oz was Saturday night. It was so much fun to watch and they did such a great job!

Cameron had five costumes and eight costume changes! We had to curl her hair six times over three days. They had six performances and were exhausted by the time they got home Thursday and Friday night but I could tell they were having so much fun. They especially enjoyed getting to perform for their classmates that came to watch the show as part of a school field trip!

Dallin had four costumes and seven costume changes. Not that we saw him much. He was a Flying Monkey with a mask then a Spook with a cape. I was only able to pick him out by his shoes! The best part for Dallin, though, was getting to sneak under the stage to run the fog machine and trap door that "melted" the witch.

We really appreciate all the friends and family that came to the show to support Dallin and Cameron. They have so much fun doing these shows but it's even better when they have someone to perform for.

Not only did Dallin and Cameron do a great job but the overall show was fantastic. This theater group always does a really good job with costumes and choreography but I was also impressed with the main actors. I was really pleased to see this review and agree wholeheartedly with the critics sentiments about the show.

Next year it's Annie and Robin Hood. What do you think the kids will pick?

Growing Up

A couple Fridays ago Eden lost her first tooth. Then, just a few days later I registered her for kindergarten. All of the sudden she's such a big girl. She has her phone number memorized, she's learning to read, she's great at drawing and coloring and of course she's super tall. Sometimes I feel like she's been in kindergarten already but I know when she's gone everyday next fall it will really sink in that she's growing up.

St. Patrick's Day

I don't usually do anything special for this holiday but thanks to a very motivated sister in law I made it the store late Tuesday night to pick up these surprises for the kids. I made Dallin and Cameron's lunch for school before they woke up so it would be a surprise.

Austin's been asking me ever since if we can have "that green lunch" again.

Home Again, Barely

We stopped by Grandpa's house one last time before we headed home.

What a beautiful family, wait a minute, someone's missing...

Doh, almost caught him. Austin was being a little camera shy.

Well, we headed back to Utah around 10 am California time. I will say right now, we were warned. We were told there was a big storm headed for Utah but Ryan felt confident it wouldn't be that bad. To prove his point he wore shorts.

When we got to Nevada the wind was ridiculous. Every time we stopped, which was more often than we liked, it felt like a hurricane. Ryan slowed down to keep from being blown off the road and we gradually made our way to St. George. It was cold there but the rain had already passed through and we figured it would be clear the rest of the way home. Boy, were we ever wrong!

About 10 miles before Cedar City we hit the snow. The further we went the worse it got. We had about four mountain passes to get over before home and my stomach started churning at the thought. We were making progress at about 40 mph when the two cars in front of us spun out. Fortunately no one was hit and we all got back on the road but then we were going 20 mph. The snow started to pile up on the freeway and on our windshield. At one point we came to a stop as the cars in front of us creeped past two stuck BMW roadsters. Ryan jumped out, in his shorts, to try to clean the ice off the windshield wipers. Then we were off again, peering through the windshield and the thickening snow to find the posts on the side of the road to make sure we didn't go off the highway. The kids had fallen asleep and I was glad because it was terrifying. Especially around I70. A semi trailer was completely off the road and several other semis had just pulled over in the right hand lane with their parking lights on as if to say "I quit."

So why did we keep going? Because Breanne was blessing her beautiful baby girl on Sunday morning and we didn't want to miss it. Four hours later we reached Scipio and clearer weather. In all it took us 5 1/2 hours to get home from St. George when it usually takes 3 1/2. We got home at 12 am, Utah time, but it was Daylight savings so it was actually 1 am. Then, we got up at 6:30 am to get ready for this...

But isn't she beautiful?

Disneyland Day 3

From open 'till close we made the most of our last day.

Big Rides...

Little Rides...

Treygan sitting with Cameron on rides? I think that was awkward for both of them.

Austin was too small for this ride so the worker checking height gave Austin a Fast Pass with no expiration date! It says he can bring it back when he's tall enough and go on the ride with six other people! He reminds me constantly that when he goes back to Disneyland he already has a Fast Pass!

Colorful rides...

Colorful characters.

It's time for Jedi Training.

Austin was mesmerized.

Oh what a happy day!

Friends and then cousins!

We tried to stay until the fireworks but the kids were dropping like flies. Eden slept in the stroller through the whole thing. But we got no complaints as we headed back to the hotel and went straight to bed! Today, thirteen hours at Disneyland, tomorrow the long drive home.

Laguna Beach

Have you ever seen a more perfect day at the beach with a more beautiful bunch of kids?

We went to Laguna Beach on Thursday with Ryan's sister and her family. It was in the 70's with a gentle breeze and crystal clear water. We even saw dolphins not too far out who put on quite a show jumping.

Austin was in sand heaven. It's his favorite thing to play with. I think he would have been happy if we just stayed at the beach for the rest of our vacation.

Sometimes Cameron has to do things her way. (Sounds familiar).

It's funny how after a day at the beach and an afternoon at the hotel pool can make the Disney Channel appealing to just about everyone!

That night we had dinner with our good friends Jodeen and Jeremy and their kids. It's crazy to think that I've known Jodeen since 1st grade. I look at my kids and wonder who they will still be friends with 30 years from now.

Disneyland Day 2

Another beautiful day at Disneyland.

We met up with our good friends the Mickelsen's and spent the day together.

That night we had dinner at Ariel's Grotto.

The girls got to meet Ariel...

Snow White...

Belle...

Aurora...

And Jasmine. Later that night Ryan told Eden she was a princess. She said, "If I'm a princess then how come I didn't see Me at Disneyland?"

After dinner I went on Buzz Lightyear with Austin, again. But this time, instead of getting a call that someone was lost, the ride broke down. We were stuck for quite a while. Austin started jumping up and down saying he had to go potty. But would they let me off so I could take my three year old to the bathroom. Nope. I had to wait for all the people before me to be let out and then we had to all file off the ride together. Needless to say, as soon as we were free I sprinted all the way to Space Mountain. Who says you can't get in a good workout on vacation?!

Day With Grandpa

On Tuesday we went with Grandpa Gilroy to see an exhibit at Cypress College that included some of his woodwork. I've been so impressed with some of the things he's dreamed up. His pieces are as much feats of engineering as they are works of art. Everything is always so balanced and perfect, down to the last detail. While we were there the show director said that someone had expressed interest in buying his palm bowl (top right in the case). It kind of caught my dad off guard since he's never really sold any of his pieces, he just likes to give them away to people he loves.

There were quite a few other artists with pieces on display. Each of them is hand made.

This guitar also had tiny mother of pearl animals inlaid into it. It was amazing.

It was also the first sunny day we had in California and the kids loved running around outside.

We had a nice lunch with my dad and then spent some time with him back at his house. Dallin seemed to think that it would be really cool if my Dad could make a jewelry box for his cousin, so they sat together and worked on the design for a little bit. I wonder where Dallin might have gotten an idea for a jewelry box?