Mountain Biking

rob

Last March on my 35th birthday I took the afternoon off work and took my really old mongoose mountain bike to corner canyon (one of the most commonly made bikes under multiple brands and it also happens to be the worst bike ever). I’d been interested in mountain biking for a while and wanted to give it a try.

Before investing in a new bike I wanted to take that old bike around the block a few times to prove to myself that I’d stick with it in the long term. After that fateful first ride I enjoyed myself immensely and also learned that a pair of good gloves is a necessity. Here is a photo of that old bike. Does it look familiar to anyone? I think almost everyone had one. Problem is that I rode one when I was 35…..

my old junk bike

That day kicked off a great new hobby. I was very interested in pursuing this new hobby but stuck with that bike for about until December of 2015 when I upgraded to a Kona Hardtail Mountain Bike and started using Strava to keep track of my rides. See photo below.

My Kona on the Trail

Since that time I’ve been out to ride 67 times and logged 406 miles. Also during this time Nate got a mountain bike and joins me frequently on Saturday morning rides. He is actually quite good! He had a knack for choosing good lines and can really ride that trail. Sometimes we bring along one of his good friends to join the fun. It also helps keep them motivated.

I can’t complain about a hobby that has become excellent father son bonding time, is a blast, is great exercise, makes me feel alive, and I can do with many friends living nearby. Nate and I frequently grab a doughnut on the way home! Here are a few photos from our numerous rides together.

Nate and Me at Solitude

Lambert

Bearclaw Poppy

near santa clara

lambert

doughnut time

Nate & Easton

poppy

Those who know me understand that I love the outdoors. I feel the call of nature and want to protect it. I’m not a fan of motorized vehicles and the resulting noise. Hiking and biking are my methods of choice to enjoy the great outdoors.

There is something invigorating about climbing a hill or a mountain. Rising above the noise and commotion of the valley. I love it and look forward to many more years of riding with Nate and hopefully one or both of my girls when they are ready. Now I need to figure out how to stay fit in the winter.

crest trail 1

crest 2

crest 3

crest 4

kip

lake

todd on spine

14 Years Down...

Here is one picture of Rob and I for each year we've been together.

2002
Mt. Timpanogos temple in December. I was freezing but could hardly feel it because I was so happy!

 

2003
For our first vacation together (other than our honeymoon) we went to San Diego but first stopped in Tehachapi to visit my grandparents.

 

2004

I had some work training and testing in D.C. for a week so Rob tagged along. 

 

2005
Ahh, Paris. It was much more fun for me this time around because I wasn't alone and I had my own personal translator with me!

 

2006
This is right after the blessing of our new son. My how our life changed that year!

 

2007
I was a couple of months along with Madeleine when I graduated with my business degree. Phew! I was so glad to be finished!

 

2008
We enjoyed a "babymoon" in San Francisco. And no, I'm not full term here. I still had 6 weeks to go!

 

2009
Portrait time.

2010
We took a weekend getaway to explore Capitol Reef, Boulder, Devil's Garden, Kodachrome Basin, and Bryce Canyon.

2011
Another portrait.

 

2012
We took these serious-faced self portraits in our living room.

2013
This was our digital Christmas card.

 

2014
We get silly every now and then.

2015
Here we are just hanging out while the kids feed ducks.

2016
We loved exploring the Mexican ruins together!

Onward and upward to another great year together (and decades more) as best friends! 

Monthly Spotlight: October

Here we are the week before Christmas. Do you know what that means? It's time to post about October!

First up, Caroline's 6th birthday!

Since she is such a candy lover we did an All Candy All the Time party for her. We played candy-themed music in the background, played candy games, and decorated cupcakes with the candy that we won. The highlight was when I dressed Rob up as a "Human Piñata" and let the kids loose to chase him around the yard. It was hilarious and well worth the hour it took to hot glue 200 pieces of candy on his shirt. Unfortunately I lost the video :(

We sent all the kids home on a serious sugar high! You're welcome, parents.

My sister asked me what gift she could get Cara and I said bath toys... which I guess meant bath paint and crayons. I was seriously startled when I turned around one evening to find this! Geez! I guess we will call it even for when I got her daughter a big container of beads. Haha!

This is one of our favorite playgrounds and it's even more fun when you're there with cousins. It's in Saratoga Springs if you're interested in climbing the super tall pyramid or swinging on the best swings ever.

I love this picture of Madeleine in her braids.

Next up, Halloween! 

Madeleine received bins and bins of sewing fabric and notions from her grandma and has been very busy with her creations. She designed and sewed her own genie costume for her school Halloween parade! I'm in awe of her creativity!

Cara and I were at the store one day and she had a lot of fun dressing up as different food items!

I don't have a picture of Nate in his costume. He decided to be a basketball player and just wear a jersey he already had from a couple of years ago. When I asked him why he decided on that he said, "Because I wanted a new basketball but I didn't want to earn money to buy one myself. I knew if it was part of my costume you'd just buy it for me." Sly kid...

When the girls were gifted some beautiful hand-me-down dresses from their aunt's growing up years, they fell in LOVE immediately! They just don't make dresses like this anymore, you know? So pretty and twirly! They started calling themselves "Old-Fashioned Girls" and two months later they are still wearing the dresses to church almost every Sunday.

Here they decided they wanted to look like "Creepy Dolls" slowly rocking in their chairs. Haha!

Rob bought a Sirius Black magic wand at Comic Con and really likes dressing up for occasions. As usual, he was too busy to put together a costume so Madeleine and I took it upon ourselves to help a wizard out.

I bought a long, black "Diva Wig" and cut it to the right length. Then Madeleine and I sewed some fabric together for prison garb. It was pretty easy since it was supposed to look all raggedy. Perfection not needed! Rob had time to spray paint the stripes. Looks pretty convincing, I'd say and he even won best costume at work (a spooky skull candlestick)!

Except someone did mistake him for Jesus...

The most hilarious moment of the evening was when our bro-in-law walked in dressed up as Rob himself!! He painted his hair and beard dark (he is normally blonde), put on glasses, found his best Rob Clothes, and brought some "Dirt Blueprints" to carry around. I'd say he really hit the mark!

Here's Cara's super creepy picture!

And finally?
Just waitin' at the doc's office... Your kid does this too, right?

That's it for October! It was a great month!