Monday, June 24, 2013

Hello Seattle (Part II)

My sister and I made big plans for our week home. Some of them turned out, others not so much. Here are some of the things we did on our week home.






We explored. Every where you turn there is a secret covered hidden trail. It's every little boy's dream. (and if you are like me, little girls dream too) The boys threw lots of rocks and Olive ate lots of dirt and sticks. A good time was had for all--- even me, who was constantly chasing after little boys who would disappear down hidden trails and I would run after them with a little baby in my arms in a panic looking for them! sigh.






We enjoyed the views from my Daddy's work.


Navigated with strollers down steep Seattle hills like a champ. (this is way steeper than it looks)





We felt the wind in our faces while riding 
the ferry. 






Visited the Creepy/Cool Curiosity shop, and ate some Oysters and Chips on the pier.







We canoed across cottage lake and played in the park.

And then my sisters and I did a couple things we had been wanting to do for a while, we took a trapeze class and went down a wild river ride. The trapeze class was AWESOME and if I lived in Seattle, I would definitely do it again, and again... and again. They let you do more and more each time! I have to admit my heart was pounding and my legs were shaking when I jumped off that ledge, but the moment my feet left the ground it felt SO GOOD! It takes a little bit to get used to it, but basically trapeze artists are legit, and I want to be one.

The river raft ride was fun too, but not as fun as if my Dad had just taken us himself-  I guess it's impossible to find a raft to rent these days! Liability, sheesh. Anyhow, I know you have to be safe but COME ON, I wish we could just sign something saying we won't sue, let's just go and have some fun! We did hit some sweet rapids tho, got totally soaked, and jumped off a 25 foot rock! All in all it was a pretty good trip, I just wish we could have done it in half the time we did it in! Check out my Dad, he was amazing in every shot. He's hilarious.






And then we went Home, and reunited these two. Which melted my Heart, Obviously. Seattle, till next time. I love you.







(sorry about the picture overload!)















Wednesday, June 19, 2013

Hello Seattle. (Part 1)

I've come home.
And yes, I still call it home when I have lived in Utah for over 8 years. 
My sister and I are slight lunatics and decided to drive 13 hours with 5 kids under the age of 9 from Utah to Seattle. Before the trip I went from panic to calm to panic then back to  calm again. My sister and I decided good energy and being open to stopping and spending the night somewhere was the ticket to a smooth ride- and we were right! The drive was awesome, and when the kids crashed we just pulled over and spent the night at the cheapest hotel we could find. Next morning we got up and finished our trip without any major issues. 

Here are some shot of little Olive on the Frontrunner down to my sisters-- girl gets around these days. (and she loves herself for it)





And the trip begins.




We're here!







My parents house was way too big for Olive! I couldn't keep track of the kid, she went from our tiny apartment to this huge house. Needless to say, she LOVED it. Oh, and I found out she can climb stairs very well-- but not so much come back down them. 

Here's a few things Olive did while she was at my parents.





She sat on a horse for the first time, and greeted one our horses by sticking her little finger in his mouth (don't worry this horse has no front teeth... and yes Olive has to stick her finger in EVERYONE'S mouth-- I'm sorry if you've been a victim)


(I realize my finger is in this pic, but I love it anyways)




She visited the chickens everyday, and played on the front lawn for hours- mostly staring at the little boys running around. 
Other things I didn't capture that Olive did at home are- Jump on the trampoline, play on the swingset in the back, hike up and down the pipeline next to my house, and eat smoothies from fresh picked greens in the garden. Girl had a good time. 





Wednesday, June 5, 2013



Namaste 









You know those annoying people that can't stop talking about yoga and how amazing it is and how much they love it? Yeah. I'm one of those people. Ok to be honest I really don't think I talk about yoga that much. I think. But, apparently I like it enough to make a whole blog post about it so there you go.

Here's what i want to say about yoga. Not to be dramatic, but I feel like in a lot of ways it has changed my life. Ok- that is a little dramatic, but let me tell you why. Yoga goes beyond being a typical work out or a way to get in shape- it's a way of life. I first seriously started yoga a couple years ago. My best friend Steph INSISTED i try her Yoga class, and if you know Steph you know when she tells you to do something you kind of have to do it. I had tried yoga a couple times before and I felt whatever about it. I didn't have high expectations. But after attending this yoga class I instantly fell in love. I know that a lot of this was due to having the most amazing yoga instrutor ever (seriously i want to take her with me everywhere i go) and maybe it was the place I was at in my life, but from then on yoga changed me. And let me tell you why. (and then I promise to leave you alone and never mention it again)

1. Body image is left at the door. 

       When you go to yoga you will have so much respect for the human body because it doesn't matter what your body looks likes, you can do amazing things with it. I have spent entire classes just looking at different peoples body types and being so in awe of how different and how powerful each person is- despite the size of their thighs, or butt, or stomach. You see past what people look like and see the raw powerful strength that comes from within. 

2.Yoga teaches you to focus on yourself and not others.

Our whole lives are spent comparing ourselves to others. It is human nature. And although that is also very common in yoga (trying to do a move better than the person next to you) that is not what yoga teaches. I am the first person to admit that often times I find myself trying to prove that I can do certain things in yoga- but the second I realize I am doing that I back away from it mentally, because that is the opposite of what yoga is all about. I have tried closing my eyes when possible, moving far enough in front so that I can't see anyone else, even chanting the words "focus on yourself" over and over again. And while I am far from perfect in this area, I love that it teaches me to focus on myself instead of comparing to others and I try to cross this mentality over into my daily life. Just trying to be better than I was yesterday. If I can do that, than I have succeeded. 

3. You will be in awe of what your body can do.

I know I already said this, but the human body really is amazing. And yoga, oh man, it's a good work out. Each time I do yoga my strength grows, and every time I go I am shocked at what my body can do. Your body will become a force to be reckoned with, and you will feel SO GOOD. You will find such satisfaction using only your own body as a tool to strengthen and work every muscle. It will change you. And you will look and feel the best you've ever felt.

I could say so many more things about Yoga, but let's be honest- I'll be shocked if you've even read this far! Moral of the story is- yoga is amazing. Do it. You will love it, and never turn back. 

The End.