To Battle - 2012

One of my favorite places to spend time is on Balboa Island. I always try to make it there at least once during every visit to Southern California and this time was no different. We walked around and saw the lights with a sister and nephew one night and on the last day of our vacation, spent time playing in the sand just a couple houses down from where my dad grew-up.

Of course on this last day, it got to quiet for me. So while Scott wasn't looking, I grabbed some wet sand and yelled, "To Battle" and then threw the sand at him. The girls caught on very quickly and we were running all over and having a wet sand fight - yelling "To Battle". The girls against Scott, I'll let you guess who won.

Too quickly the day was over as well as the vacation and we were in our car headed back to Colorado. During the drive - all 18 hours of it, I had a lot of time to think and I've decided "To Battle" is my war cry for 2012.

I'm not going into this year without a good fight. I don't want another year to pass that I don't do something about my stressed out mind, my soda addiction and lack of water, my loss of adventure, my saggy arms, my inability to enjoy quiet time with a good book or to believe in a Dream and Imagine the possibilities that are out there for me and my wonderful family!

So to 2012, I say, "TO BATTLE"! I am coming to you with great expectations and I will fight for a great adventure this year. It will not be a year that just passes me by as time ticks over and over. This will be a year full of fun, joy, health, happiness, wonder, excitement, prosperity, abundance, success and most importantly family and friends!

Watch out 2012 here I come - TO BATTLE!!

Finger Painting with Shaving Cream - Creative Art at its best

So the girls did a bit of crazy finger painting art today with shaving cream. Everyone had their own bottle as well as some food dye and off they went. What a mess but they had so much fun.

Summer Fun

There is a great water fountain, where we like to go play from time to time.


We originally went downtown for an activity but it was so crowded that we came over to this park instead and had a great time. The girls love running around the big fountain and splashing in the water. It was a perfect summer day.

Our Zion Friends

After one of our hikes, we stopped in a riverbed and played in the sand and ate our lunch. As we were packing up, we looked up to find we were being watched.

Nine long horn sheep were above us and watching what we were doing. It was definitely one of the highlights of the trip for me.

Tiki Land Around the Deck

Scott added Tiki Torches to our deck last night.


Of course it started raining a little bit just as he finished but at least we got to do the first lighting without any problems.

Annual Zion Trip

We're just back from our trip to Zion Ponderosa where we do lots of fun activities and spend lots of time together as a family. Here are some of the highlights.

Horseback riding is always a favorite for the girls. Ameya is very excited because next year she'll be old enough to ride on the "Adult rides".


Scott and I went out for a ride one day, while the girls went to Kids Camp. Kids Camp is awesome too - the girls get to ride horses, zip line, bungee trampoline and rock wall climb. I don't think they missed us at all. Scott also played paint ball during that time and I just enjoyed the sun and read my book.


A daily activity for Ameya was the zip line. She is a pro and we heard a rumor about them adding a 3 miles zip line for next year.


Ava went on the zip line last year but she wasn't too excited about it this year, so we got her on the bungee trampoline. She was very nervous but with Scott's help, she had a great time.


We did some fun hikes in Zion and loved all the beautiful views.


Here we are on a hike to Emerald Pools. As you can see, the weather was perfect.


Though Ava is riding on Scott's shoulders here, she walked most of the way, which amazed us. She was running all over the place and loving the "hiking girl" roll.

We didn't have too much shade on the trail and Ava kept telling us how hot it was. When we got to a shade spot towards the end, Ava just stopped and fell face first into the Shade. All she said was, "Shade" and dropped. I was laughing so hard and dang it, missed the picture.

Here is Scott giving her some water after she flipped over.


Zion is an amazing place with so much to see and do and of course great picture posing spots!

Ameya's New Hair Cut

Ameya and I have talked all year about cutting her hair before out annual trip to Zion.


Her long hair is beautiful but takes us so long to do each day and makes Ameya very hot. So we said "Good-bye" for now.



We decided on a Halle Berry cut.


Ameya was very excited not only for the haircut but to go to the same person that does my hair - very grown-up!


And here is the final result - we both loved it and I think she looks adorable! It was a big hit during our trip as it was very easy to maintain, kept her cool and added some cute new hair bows and accessories.