Holding down the fort.

Last week Ryan was out of town for work (in sunny southern CA in fact) and I held down the fort...not very well, but I tried.  

Not sure, but I think summer is kicking my butt in the parenting department.  It feels like everyday is a battle with the kids, messes are EVERYWHERE, and I just can't keep up with anything!  I know it's bad when I lay down at night and think, "I don't think I laughed once today." Or "Did I even smile today????"  When that happens, I know I need to change my attitude quick or all my kids are going to remember is me scowling!!

Anyway, while Ryan was gone I did manage to finally fix up my bedroom....and I'm loving the way it's turning out!

I painted the room a light, airy, beachy blue...I love it!

I bought some pillows, window treatments, hung some artwork and even bought my first full size mirror to go in the corner of the room.  It's all coming together!  Next, I'm going to tackle our bathroom...it needs a major makeover!!

I was able to skip out one morning for a quick ride with a friend and another woman I'd just met.

It was wonderful and just what I needed to get though the rest of the time with Ryan being gone.

Sunday, I stuck to our routine with our Sundance Sundays and took the girls on a hike.

Just recently, I purchased everyone a camelbak (thank you REI dividends!) and it has been a complete game changer!!  Before when we hiked, Ryan and I carried the water bottles and we had to stop CONSTANTLY for kids to drink.  I'm not sure if it's because we live in a super dry area, but my kids are always thirsty!  I make sure I have a water bottle in my purse at all times when I'm on errands, because I kid you not, they think they're going to die if they don't have a drink RIGHT NOW...they're so dramatic.

But anyway, with Camelbaks it was a dream!!

They loved having control of their snacks and water and the fact that we didn't have to stop every two seconds.  I kick myself I didn't get them sooner!!

And in other news...I got my haircut yesterday.

Why do we get so attached to our hair??  You would think I was getting a limb amputated!  I mean, it's just hair!!  Turns out though, I love it...I just sometimes need a little push to do it.  Because, let's be honest, it was in bad shape!

Hope ya'll are having a fabulous week!

Weekly Race Series

A few weeks ago Morgan gave a go at mountain bike racing.

She just got a new mountain bike, but I think the real motivation was that she has a little crush on a boy who races every week...whatever it takes, right?  Ha!

Luckily, they had the beginner group do only 1/2 lap, perfect for Morgan!

I raced along with her to give her some encouragement along the way.

Sundace has quite a bit of climbing on the way out and she started to get a little discouraged, but she pushed through and even beat a few people!

I am so proud of her!

And I think her little crush was impressed.

Cooking with Kelly

So a while back I posted how we have cut back considerably on our meat consumption around here.

I also posted how I had failed miserably when I tried to cook with tofu...it was awful, and I nearly threw in the towel.  But instead I did a little research and discovered some really good techniques when cooking with tofu.  For example, always soak up all the moisture out of it before cooking with it (maybe this is common sense to most, but I had no idea).  I wrap it in a clean kitchen towel and then set a heavy pot on top of it for about 15 minutes and that does the trick.  Also, bake the tofu first...who knew?!!  I cut it up into cubes and lay it out onto a cookie sheet with parchment paper, stick it in a 400 degree oven for about 25 minutes.  This allows the edges to be slightly crispy...much better!

I found these tips on Minimalist Baker.

I also found this next recipe there as well...and I'm happy to report that it was delicious!

The only downside is it took me a while to prepare and cook, and I'm definitely not a fan of elaborate menus when cooking for a family.  But, I will do it again...it just won't be a weekly thing for sure!

 Crispy Peanut Tofu and Cauliflower Rice Stir Fry

(That's a mouth full.)

Ryan and I really liked it...the kids were kinda "meh" about it...another reason I may not be doing it too often.

Another veggie recipe that we've been enjoying is a Chickpea Sandwich.

We go to the weekly mountain bike races and I have to pack a dinner so I'm always on the hunt for something quick and easy and that packs well.  I got this from allrecipes.

Vegetarian Chickpea Sandwich Filling

You can top it with whatever: lettuce, tomatoes...or my favorite, avocado.

And I used regular white bread in the photo because it's what I had on hand at the time but normally I would use a roll, crusty bread, or even a croissant.

So yeah, I'm making progress and just wanted to share a couple wins I had.

It's the little things us moms need to celebrate, right?

Sundance Sundays

 Our Sundance Sundays are in full swing!

A couple of weeks ago both Piper and Morgan got new mountain bikes (I cannot get over how cute Piper's is) so of course they needed to try them out.  Ryan rode the trails with Haley, Morgan and Piper while Rory and I took a lift ride.

 Matching cut offs...had to get a picture.

 It was fun to see them from the lift!

Rory and I would hoot and holler and cheer them on.

 Piper took to it really well!  In fact she ended up doing the loop twice with Ryan!  The other girls decided one loop was enough and played in the river instead.

I'm just super proud they're getting out there!!

Last weekend we hit up Sundance again, but this time no riding...we lunched instead.

And of course we rode the lift.

Haley didn't make it up this last time...she's been nursing a cold she's had ever since she got back from Girl's Camp...poor thing.

Happy Tuesday ya'll!

Grandparents Visit!

To kick off summer and Memorial weekend, Ryan's mom and grandpa Ken came out for their annual Spring visit!  I was a little nervous about the weather because we had been getting so much rain, but luckily, it turned out to be beautiful!

First up...breakfast at Sundance!

What a treat!

 After filling our bellies at Sundance we headed up to Salt Lake for a bike race.

And Sunday we hit up the zoo!

After two days of driving up to Salt Lake we decided to take Memorial Day easy.

Ryan and I skipped out for a quick ride on the Murdock that morning, and then we had my brother and family over for a BBQ that evening.

The perfect weekend.

Happy Birthday!!

Happy Birthday to my main squeeze!!

He makes life so much fun...love him bunches!!

For the first time in a few years Ryan is actually home on his birthday...yay!

Also, Haley comes home today!!  Yippee!

Girls Camp

This morning at 6 AM Ryan and I dropped off Haley for a week at girls camp.

Haley with Grandma and Grandpa.

Girls Camp is a program through our church, and it's for all girls between 12 and 17.  Haley isn't quite 12 yet, but since her birthday is right around the corner they extended the invite to her as well.

Now, Haley went to Camp Big Springs (a school district camp out) last year for a week...so this wouldn't be her first camp out away from us.  She was pretty nervous last year about being away from home for that long, but it gave her a lot comfort knowing she was just going to our local mountains and would only be about 30 minutes away.  This time, however, she is going to Lake Powell...about 5 hours away.  She has been so excited about this trip...that is, until last night.  She barely slept, and was so worked up and scared...she even crawled into our bed at some point in the night...she NEVER does that!  

As a parent, I know this is going to be a grand experience for her...I mean really, they are going to have so much fun...and, they're going to be on a houseboat for crying out loud!  How fun it that?!  She's going to be with other girls she knows, and the most fantastic leaders.  BUT, it has to be her choice...I will not force her to go.  

By morning, she was ready...she wanted to go, she was nervous still, but we could tell, she really did want to go. So Ryan and I drove her to the church where she got a bit emotional again about leaving.  I kid you not...as a mother, this part kills me.  I have to fight every fiber in my being not to just whisk her back home and have her not go.  She may be nervous and scared, but little does she know, I'm completely falling apart inside, fighting back tears.  As moms, we have to put on our brave faces and convince our children that this is the best thing for them.  It's a great opportunity, with great people, and a she'll make life long memories.  But why is it so hard to let them go?!!  As we drove away I could see the other girls starting to swoop in and hopefully taking her under their wing.  

I know, it's silly...she's only going to be gone til Friday.

But, I worry...that's what I do best.  I hope she's having fun.  I hope she doesn't get homesick.  I hope she remembers to put on her sunscreen.  

I miss her...a lot.  My heart aches.

I'm allowing myself one day to wallow...but that's it.

I just love that girl so much.