This past weekend was spent up north with family.  I had my cousin, Great Aunt, and Great Uncle here from Kentucky.  We spent the weekend up north and on Saturday we made the trek to the Grand Canyon.  My brother is a tour guide there.  Pretty cool, huh!  Anyway, the goal was to get to the Desert View by sunset.  But more on that later.  Here are some pictures from our time with the family!

Me and my cousin Stuart

I had never seen an elk in real life before…let alone this close!

Me, my Aunt Libby, and my Mom. We were facing the sun, hence the horrible squinting I'm doing!

Mason and Oma

Stuart, Uncle Frank, and Aunt Margie

I love this picture…she's in awe.

Oma and Emma

Proof that I was in a kickball league this past spring.  (I am second from left, bottom row) We had a great team…’great’ in that we were all good sports, easy going, and not out for the kill.  There were other teams, however, that were in it to win it, even if that meant cheating or being drama queens.  And there were chain smokers.  Not that that has anything to do with kickball or being a team player, I just don’t like smoking.  We weren’t the best team, athletically speaking, but we had a lot of fun.  And that’s all that matters!

I am home from CA…we had such a great time!  Let me get my bearings and I’ll be back on Monday!

Okay, not really done…there are perks to this season.  But really what I miss is the routine and schedule.  I thrive off of that, and so do my kids.  It’s fun to be spur-of-the-moment once in awhile.  But can’t I plan to be spontaneous?  What?  Spontaneity doesn’t work that way?  The biggest challenge I’m having is finding the time to work out.  Yes, I have the gym.  But all the classes I like are in the morning when we have swim lessons.  And I am such a wimp when it comes to running outside.  I think I’d have to get up at like 4:00am for it to be cool enough.  And then it still may be too warm for me!  Yes, I have the gym.  But I feel guilty bringing the kids because after it’s all said and done, it costs $8 an hour for childcare.  Ridiculous!!

However, I have an idea.  We have an elliptical in our bedroom.  And, as much as I hate stationary equipment (does anyone else get totally bored from ellipticals and treadmills), I think I might sign up for Netflix and then I can watch streamed movies or TV shows I’ve been meaning to get into (Like Office, Big Love, and Entourage).  Perfect times for an elliptical workout, and I don’t get terribly bored.  Does anyone else have Netflix?

How do you keep motivated in your workout routine?

Did I share with you my original goals?  Remember, I’m not calling them “resolutions”. Refresh your memory here.  Anyway, I will share with you my goals.  And these aren’t necessarily for the whole year, but at least until April…which is my short term goal for losing 20 pounds.  I’m on it…and here’s how I’m going to do it!

Health

No eating past 7:00pm.  That’s a tough one for me, but something that really makes a world of difference in my body.

Taking my vitamins daily.  (I always forget…plus they’re so big).

Exercise 5 days a week.

Track my food religiously on The Daily Plate

Food

No alcohol at home unless friends are over.  Brett asked me if he was my friend.  I told him I think we are a little more than friends.  That’s a tough goal, though, especially after a rough day.  Sometimes a glass of red wine is perfection while I cook dinner!

Make dinner 5 nights a week.  Another tough one.  I can do it, though.  And I didn’t write this down, but I want to get the majority of my meats from Whole Foods.

Dessert 2 times a week only.  Hmmm, let me edit that to “full-on” desserts.  I don’t think my sugar-free fat-free pudding cups should count.  Do you?

Okay, I bared my goals…tell me yours!

p.s. oh, my other goal, as mentioned in my Title, is that I’m going to upload my pictures and post them veryclose to the date of event!