New goals...

This weekend I went to my first triathlon. I saw people competing in a tri, sprint, Olympic relay, 5k and kids triathlon. There might have been more combinations but trying to figure out those races was hard enough. 

I competed in the 5k with two of my best friends from college. Neither of them had run a race before, both of them crushed their estimated times. One was running for her dad, whom the entire race is dedicated to. The other two of us were running to support our friend and her family. 

It was a pretty awesome day which gave me more motivation. I can't wait until next year's race!

Things I Love...

Summer.

I can't believe that we are almost to the unofficial end of summer. In just one short week we will be celebrating with friends the end of the season. I am a little sad for it to be ending. We have had a great summer.

We have developed many habits this summer that I want to see become traditions or annual events. All of our adventures have been amazing. I made a list at the beginning of summer of things we wanted to do and we accomplished almost all of them. My plan for weekly trips to the the library still is not happening. We camped, we swam, we played in the rain, we made elf gardens, we rode bikes, built sand castles in our own sandbox, had friends over, went hiking, went on a big adventure, watched fireworks, rode a float, went on boat rides, rode rides at an amusement park and ate s'mores. I think that is a pretty accomplished list.

The best part of this summer has been watching these two becoming best buddies. Emerson likes helping Rhys and watching him. He likes playing dad. Rhys likes imitating Emerson and always looks or asks for him. He likes being the little brother. They thrive when they are on there own but when given the choice they always choose to be together.

As much as I hate to say goodbye to the season I love the most, the possibilities of the adventures that we choose to do during fall are endless. 

My New Thing...

A few years ago I had a breakdown, not the kind that you need serious help, just the kind where you look in the mirror and realize you have to make the changes to see the person you know you are. 

That day, I said I need to find a gym and I need to get my eating under control. I was trying to find something to wear for a family gathering and nothing fit right. I was six months out from having my first baby and I was 30+ pounds heavier than a place where I am comfortable and 40+ pounds heavier than my ideal place. 

The next couple of weeks I went and checked out some gyms, researched online, talked with Eric, and debated about who I wanted to give our money to for the next year. Let's face it, I had doubt that I would stick with it. 

I choose the closet YMCA to join. I loved the facilities and really loved the two hours of free childcare. TWO HOURS!!! FREE!!! I could sit and stare out the window, sit at the pool, workout, eat sandwiches, take group exercise classes or sit in a chair in the lobby and nap. What I didn't expect was that working out would become something that I really liked. In fact, it became something I planned my day around. 

The first couple of months I went in the evenings and weekends with my husband. Thankfully, he wanted to go. The weekdays we worked in the wellness center and the weekends we would take group exercise classes. I eventually started going while Eric was at work and worked out on my own. I then got enough guts to take morning group exercise classes. That's when working out got a lot better. 

I loved group exercise classes. I didn't feel like I was working out and I was in a room with a bunch of people working towards the same thing. I felt like I was on a team. I didn't know anyone and I kept to myself but I felt a part of something. 

I stuck with it. I went everyday, a friend joined and started going with me. Then, I got pregnant again. I tried for a few months to keep going but I failed. I went every couple of days, then it ended up being a once a week thing and finally not at all. I tried. 

I was disappointed, I didn't want this to be the end of my working out. I was seeing results, I was understanding form, I was catching on to the calls, rountines, counts and beats. I was happy. 

I think that was what kept me motivated for that next six months. I was happy with my results from working out and keeping my nutrition consistent. I started pinning all kinds of workouts and I started following a couple fitness blogs. I decided that even though I wasn't working out I needed to plan like I was to stay motivated for the day that I would go back. There was no way that wasn't happening. 

Baby number two came and I was ready to get back at it. I waited until my doctor said it was ok and after returning from a family vacation, I went back to the Y. So, eight weeks after having baby, I was back at it.

The boys both adjusted well to being in childcare and I got into a routine quickly. This time was different. I knew a few more people and I knew what classes I loved. I was taking strength classes, where you left weights, athletic conditioning where you willing show up for basketball practice and run drills for an hour but never play a game or even see a ball and an occasional cardio class where you jump around for an hour to super loud music. I was loving my routine. 

I met more people, I started talking to the instructors and I felt like I belonged. I started running. I joined challenge groups, that worked. I started working out in a park with friends where we created our own bootcamp like workouts. I joined competitive challenge groups and met more people.

I stayed motivated. It didn't always mean that action happened but I found ways that worked for me that kept and keep me motivated. That motivation created consistency.

The other big key was the way I decided I needed to start eating. I had to pay attention to what I ate and how my body then handled it. I knew dairy wasn't really something I should eat but I could deal with it because I loved cheese. When I stopped my over consumption of cheese and said goodbye to all dairy my body said thank you. I did search out alternatives for milk and cheese and I found things that we all like.

I came up with an approach that works for my family with menu planning. I concluded that I like not having to think about what I am having for breakfast and lunch so I eat about the same thing everyday. I simplified those two meals and after three years of doing this, I know this works for me.

Also, I got to where I felt comfortable with who I was seeing in the mirror. That and that alone is all the motivation I need and anyone really needs.

That is why I am starting to embrace what my journey has lead me to become, a group exercise instructor. I didn't start out with this intention and if you would have told me a year ago that I would be teaching classes, I would have laughed.

I love it! I am developing my process and my style which is so much fun. It gives me the challenge outside of my family that excites me. I am learning new things. I am growing.

Bring home Rhys. (left) Hiking with sleeping Rhys. (right)

Backyard play...

Soccer!

Emerson asked to play soccer in the backyard tonight. This is the first time he has asked to go out to play a sport. Eric and I both agree that until our boys want to learn a sport we are not going to sign them up to play. 

I was surprised when he dribbled the ball around and made some really great contact with some kicks. We will see what the weeks to come bring and if in the spring he still shows interest. Emerson might have found his sport tonight!

Weekend Fun!

Waiting in line to ride some flying airplanes. We took the boys to their first amusement park, which happened to be the same amusement park that I went to for the first time, at their age. They loved it, we loved it!

Get Out and Go...

Become a Junior Park Ranger, a boat captain or a seasoned hiker. 

Our boys are pretty adventurous, also. We try to make sure that we plan some outings where we focus on letting them feel like they are the leaders. It amazes me everyday how important it is to Emerson to be the leader. 

All of our national parks have great programs for kids. Stop by any ranger station and pick up a Junior Ranger workbook, even if just visiting for the day. The booklets are a great family activity that talk about every aspect of the park. 

Emerson, Rhys and I would work on a couple pages each night while Eric  made dinner. We had to adapt all of the activities for Emerson and Rhys just scribbled on every page but we had fun reading together and working on earning their badges.  

Emerson was super excited about getting his badge because he really thought that he was getting a job. He asked Ranger Angela when he was going to start working. 

They take an oath, which was super cute to watch the boys try to repeat after the ranger. 

Take a boat ride. 

Spray Lake is the home of the boat Sinopha. Which is a passenger boat that you can take a guided tour from one end of the lake to the other. Both boys begged to go for a boat ride, on our first day, the moment they saw it. 

So, on our second day we woke up, got ready and ate, then hurried to catch the first voyage of the day. 

We were the last ones to board and at first I was a little nervous because there were only four other passengers and the captain. Thankfully, they were not bothered by the boys checking things out. 

The captain even offered the boys an opportunity to steer the boat to shore. Neither could see out the window, had a hard time telling their lefts from their rights, and Rhys couldn't even reach the throttle but the grins on their faces showed they loved every minute. 

Practice hiking. 

There are trails for every level of hiker. This works out great for teaching our littles how to stay on the trails and keep up. Rhys hiked his first ever one mile hike to Trick Falls. 

He did great! He listened and stayed near us. He managed to not have one fall which still happens on perfectly flat surfaces. A couple major accomplishments for our Rhys.

Our evenings were filled with strolls through the campground to help them burn off some steam. They really enjoyed this time because for them it was easy. We would chat with neighbors, run from place to place and ask the boys how their day was.

Eric and I were thrilled when we asked them what their favorite thing they did on the trip and both said, "hiking!"

Get Out and Go...

Camping and hiking in Glacier National Park.

We love to go camping and hiking in Glacier. So, spending three days and nights in the park with zero distractions from the outside world was exactly what we needed. It can be hard and stressful but the adventure is so worth it in the end. 

Our campsite in Two Medicine was perfect for us. It was large enough for the boys to run and play without going beyond our area. 

Half of our time is spent at our campsite, which is just in the morning and then through the night. Making our campsite feel like home is important. We try to make our tent as comfortable as possible. We all sleep on air mattresses. We have a rug, so it's easier to be barefoot and adds an extra level of comfort and coziness. We have lots of lanterns and lights, so no one ever feels like it's too dark. We keep all of our clothing in the tent. 

Outside of our tent we have a screen tent that we set as close to the tent as possible to create a larger vestibule area. The floor is a tarp and this is where we keep our extra things needed for camping. All of the kitchen utensils, the toys we bring for the kids, the storage containers we use to haul everything and our chairs. 

We use our car to store all of our food and toiletries because of bears. Although, I have never seen a bear in our camp grounds we still take all precautions. I know it can happen, the ranger station had a list of bear sightings and last month one was in the camp ground. So, I will follow directions because I want to keep it that we don't see any bears at our tent! 

We let the boys get as dirty as they want when we camp. In Glacier, the dirt is black like soot. This isn't even as bad as it got!

The main reason why we love Glacier so much is for the great hiking. The views, the water, the mountains, the sky, the plants, the animals, they are all amazing. 

This trip we had hiking restrictions due to a fire but the South Shoreline trail was open and our goal was to hike the entire thing. We sat out three different times and it wasn't until the third try that we made it all the way. The first two attempts ended because we forgot to do something that required making a phone call and then a super small rain shower. 

When we had to make a phone call we had to drive out of the park. This actually worked out because we headed to the Going to the Sun Road to see the damage of the massive fire that was still burning, yet contained and to check out Logan Pass. 

This is what both side of the road looked like for miles in all directions. 

The day it rained. We walked through two small showers and then a third one that didn't seem to be letting up, so I called quits. When we made it to the trailhead I felt so bad about calling quits because the sun was out and the day was beautiful that I felt I wasted our day. I came up with the idea to head back to camp eat a snack change the boys into their trunks and head down to the water to play. 

Seriously, this was the best idea I had!

The boys loved throwing rocks into the water, finding sticks to use as swords and stacking rocks. Eric and I enjoyed the sun sinking lower into the sky while sitting on the shore watching the boys. It was the super peaceful, easy feeling that we all hope to experience on vacation.

When we were finally able to hike the South Shoreline trail in it's entirety we finally had the great sense of accomplishment that we needed. 

The trail is 11.2 miles round trip from the trailhead to Cobalt Lake and 1450 foot elevation gain. We busted out this hike in 6 hours. I carried Rhys the entire time and Eric carried Emerson for half of our overall 12 mile hike (from our camp site round trip). 

These are from the second attempt to make it to the end of the trail.

Emerson hiked six miles on his own. Half of that was at the beginning of the hike and then at the start of our return trip out.  I was amazed he loved it! 

Rockwell Falls

The trail had many interesting vignettes. There are beaver ponds, shore access, two waterfalls, dense woods, a suspension bridge, super steep uphill climbs, clear as glass mountain streams, a blue as blue can be lake,and lots of hope to see moose. 

Cobalt Lake

Cobalt Lake

Moose! The female moose we saw.

Emerson had to hike back to this suspension bridge. He wanted to cross it on his own.

Aster Falls

This hike was a great adventure for us. We started out with great expectations and had little struggle with our beginning obstacles. As we got closer and closer to Cobalt Lake the struggle became real. I wanted to quit because the last mile, mile  and a half has a pretty steep grade. Rhys was hungry, thirsty and crying to get out. Not too mention, it was so much colder, the weather was drastically different than the first couple of days. It was maybe 50 degrees at the top. 

A sense of relief was felt when we finally got to the lake but a very brief stay happened. The boys were cold and we had to get moving to get them warmed back up. Emerson was sad because he wanted to play hot wheels so bad. 

The descent down was fantastic with feeling great about making it to the top, greetings and congratulations from other hikers making their way up, and us giving words of encouragement of almost there and it's worth it! 

Even though, we didn't hike with a large group we were apart of a larger group. I feel that everyone we meet while out shares the same sentiment that, we are all in this together. It's a great community to be a part of. 

The journey back comes with smaller accomplishments and smaller struggles. We were lucky enough to see a bull moose and a female moose, maybe a mother and son. We were wore out because caring 32+ pounds of the cutest little guy, really is heavy. 

The best parts of finishing this adventure are having enough courage to begin and the sense of accomplishment felt at the end. 

A few days...

Of playing, lounging, and climbing around this, was amazing. The past three days we have been off the grid in Glacier National Park in Montana. We spent our time in Two Medicine camping, hiking and skipping rocks. 

We are almost home and the boys can't wait to play in their sand box and we can't wait to take showers! Tomorrow will come too fast, as it will be the first day of school for the boys. 

Happy birthday!!

Happy birthday Eric!!! All of my boys have summer birthdays and they are lucky because we usually are out and about. They get to celebrate their day somewhere other than home. 

To round out my birthday tributes I asked the boys why they love their daddy. 

Emerson 

I love daddy because he takes me to hotels. He turns the tv on for me. He takes me to bed.   

Rhys

Uhh... Daddy. 

Beary, Mommy

kisses

Jill

I love Eric because he helps me bring to life the pictures I have in my head and they are better than I ever imagined. He supports me. He trusts me. He loves me. 

He is a great dad to our boys. He loves our boys. He is positive. He is adventurous. He is strong spiritually, emotionally and physically. 

We are pretty lucky to have you! We all love you very much. We hope your birthday was awesome!!! 

Get Out and Go...

Hiking. 

While in Coeur d'Alene we took short hikes in the evenings either before or after diner to enjoy nature and the beauty of the area. As well as, meet our need for exercise. 

On our first day of exploration Emerson begged to hike but I didn't prepare for that because we all had sandals on and Rhys was in the stroller. I managed to reassure him that we would come back in the evening and walk the trail some with daddy. 

We did just that. We had diner and then headed out for a short 45 minute hike that was ended because the sun set. 

So, we decided to get out and go the next night before dinner so we could see a little more of the lake and shoreline. We walked the trail for a while before deciding to head down a smaller trail to the rocky shoreline. We slowly made our way down because it was pretty steep. So steep, that a few times Emerson tried sliding down on his bottom. Somewhere about half down we decided to turn around, it was getting steeper and steeper. We would have had to slide down and we wouldn't have been able to get back up. 

It was a good call because by the time we made it back to the main trail, Emerson was asking to ride in the pack. He then kept asking for water so he could get more energy. By the time we made it to the trailhead he had so much energy that he was jumping from the rocks. 

As we walked to a restaurant for dinner both of the boys were talking away about going camping and hiking and asking if that was what we were going to do after dinner. Listening to them chatter away made me so happy. They are developing a love for the great outdoors. 

Get Out and Go...

Idaho. 

Our adventure has brought us to Coeur d'Alene, Idaho for a few days. It's a resort town with a large lake boasting the same name in the northern panhandle of the state. Barbara Walters calls it, "a little slice of heaven." Well, at least that is what Wikipedia told me. It's a great little city with a quaint downtown full of fun little shops, every kind of restaurant, a really awesome waterfront park, a nice beach area, and trails in and around Tubbs Hill.

This is our second time to Coeur d'Alene. Our first time was last year on our way home from Portland. We stopped and had dinner at a brewery north of the downtown area. We did not explore because we had no idea how awesome the city is until we got back on the interstate and saw the lake and golf course and the beauty of the city as a whole. 

We were in Coeur d'Alene for Eric's work, which meant that during the days the boys and I were on our own to explore and take it all in. So, we spent a lot of time at the park and walking around the downtown area. 

The waterfront park is called McEuen Park. I was kind of geeking out because it is a park in which the form really follows the function. The space felt great and for just a few moments I really missed my landscape architecture background. 

The boys loved the playground/ splash pad area. I am sure it's because they saw the importance of all the functions of the spaces and picked up that the layout worked in a way that made them go from activity to activity.  Oh, wait! That was me! We were there for over an hour one day and neither of them looked for something outside of the area to do. 

If you ask me that is a big positive. I don't consider myself a helicopter parent because my boys are too little but I do hover. I blame Emerson for this. I have lost him a few times because he runs off and hides. I was able to let him play on his own and make new friends. I could find Emerson easily from across the playground. I didn't have to worry while chasing Rhys around to make sure that daredevil didn't jump from the top of the play structures. 

The boys are funny with splash pads. Rhys takes a long time to get in the water and Emerson never wants to get in until it's time to go. On our last visit to the park they both finally played in the splash pad. Rhys let his hands get wet and Emerson embraced seizing the moment and letting the large buckets dump right on him. 

Emerson kept asking, "Mom, what am I going to do? My cloths are all wet!" I told him it was ok and we would change when it was time to go. As we headed to the car Emerson said, "I love Coeur d'Alene! Can we stay forever?!?!?"

The whole way back to meet up with Eric, Emerson talked about his love for the little hotel, the park, the splash pad, our hikes, dinner out and statues. It amazes me how these three days made him so happy.