Baby B.B.'s Blessing

My sister "super -mom" and brother in law "the animal"came up from Pennslyvania and decide to bless their little new born while here. We got together after and had a great time hanging out, renewing relationships and letting the cousins play once again.

This is Little J. She is hilarious and gets so excited to be around friends. She can also be one of the best fibbers around.

I think the kids were more interested in picking the tomatoes than anything else.

Dessert was so good, I gained much weight that day.

More tomatoe picking.

Lil'Man is happy as can be...no shoes and holding a mini cherry cheesecake.

Grand-Pa Mike and little J.

"The Animal" and Baby B.

"Super-Mom", "the animal", little J., Baby B, Funny G, and Big K.

The whole clan. The kids all doing weird sutff. . .Mine, all mine. I wouldn't have it any other way. I'm squinting and I don't know why.

This is the whole family minus the creators.. The models. . .sasquatch, Jane and kids. . .the animal and supermom. . .and of course me (I dont do nicknames for my self but generally I am called fatty) and hot mama.

Queen and Big K. - More tomatoes.

Funny G. is hilarious. He is a blast to talk to and just to observe.

It was a fun day. The only thing missing is our sister in Brazil. But. . .Brazil needs some Gillings excitement too. This post was mainly for her.

The Whole Enchilada - Moab, Utah

 The Whole Enchilada has become Moab Legend. A 27.5 mile long Bike trail that descends 7,000 feet from Burro Pass in the Manti-Lasals, to the Colorado river via Porcupine Rim. The trail changes from High Alpine riding. . .fast quick turns. . .wide open fired road. . .desert technical single track. . .ending with he Porcupine Trail then Single track.

27.5 Bone Jarring, amazing, technical, scenic Miles.

At 4 A.M. Saturday Morning we loaded up the four bikes.

Arriving at 10,000 feet it was 30 degrees at 9 in the Morning and windy.

The ride up is more of a ride/walk. It isn't overly steep, but at around 11,00 feet it is rough. My Brother-in-law, Corey "The Animal" Boren left Pennsylvania at sea level, flew here and within 12 hours was at 11,000 feet. Not highly recommended or healthy. But adventurous!! Thus the nickname "the animal" I spent most of the day trying to keep up.

I had to ride the last few feet, not miles, to the top.

Looking back at the climb.

The Ride down burro is loose, steep and beautiful with various stream crossings. It is hard to believe this is 40 minutes from Moab.

The Aspens were Phenomenal. The trail was perfect because the mountains had received a light amount to rain recently.

This is looking back at Burro pass. Gavin is climbing the single track from Burro up to the Hazzard trail. Which is filled with Quick single track with various man-made gap jumps and bermed turns. One note, this was Gavin's "sasquatch's" third mountain bike ride in many years and the first on a full-suspension and he rocked it. He hit a few trees, ate some dirt, danced with his bike and had problems changing his tire, but for his third time. . .amazing.

The Colors were amazing and the Light was perfect.

This is a picture of the Rim on which you descend. Th trail winds out to and away from this rim for the next 10 miles or so.

"the Animal", Guthrie and Gavin "Sasquatch" standing on the rim overlooking some cool valley.

"The Animal" Riding along the rim, looking back at the Manti-lasals where we started.

Gage

Guthrie

Gavin "Sasquatch"

"The animal" is pointing to the peak by the side of the pass where we started, 3 hours before.

Gavin "Sasquatch"

Guthrie

The overall first time feeling of the ride;

"The animal" this is the most amazing ride I have ever done" - "This is like a sampler ride"

Gavin "Sasquatch" "I liked some parts." - "I can't believe I spent 50 dollars to ride this" (He rented a bike) - "I can't believe people actually ride that. . ."

It was Mine and Guthrie's fifth time, it was amazing but not as eye opening.

After we finished the Whole Enchilada we hit subway for lunch (a tradition). Visited various bike stores, eyeing the new bikes, parts and clothing. Then headed out for ten more miles on the Moab Brand trails

It took us 3 hours and ten minutes of riding to ride the whole enchilada. But a total time of 5 hours because of Lunch and waiting one hour to fix a difficult flat. (It was Gavin's first time using presta tubes and pumps.) Another hour and a half riding ten miles on the Moab Brand trails.

A total of 37.5 miles of riding . We arrived home at 10:30 P.M., not too bad for one day but also not our most mileage.

We love these trips, the scenery is absolutely amazing and the adventure factor is off the charts. Only Biking could you see this much mileage in this amount of time via man-powered travel.

What an amazing state in which we live. People come from the world over to ride these trail and yet within three miles we can be partaking in the single track bliss. If you bike, you need to ride this trail - but be ready for a very difficult, but incredible ride. Miles and miles of rough technical riding. If you don't bike - you are missing out!

For another good explanation, detailed biking and driving directions check out Utah Mountain Biking.com Click on trails - select by region - Moab - Whole Enchilada is at the very bottom.

The Amazing People I know

With all that is going on in the world around us, I have lately been thinking about the amazing people I know and friends I have...

I have a friend who is a very good dentist and now runs a very successful dentist office.

Two who are the owners of various businesses and employ hundreds of people.

Another who started a business from scratch and now has several employees and is doing very well.

One who is a very successful and well known stock broker.

A friend who is a professional skier.

Friends who travel the world.

The list could go on. . .

But it isn't in those things where I see their greatness. . .

I see it when parents with a large family choose to open their heart and home to children who they could give more. . . multiple times.

I see it when a successful young lady gives up a very good life and money to go to Chile and spend time in an orphanage.

I see it when a lonely mother tries to live the gospel keep her family together.

I see it when Friends offer free services to those who are struggling.

I see it the very wealthy choose to stay in a lower income area because that neighborhood needs them.

I see it when a mother serves those who are elderly just because she loves them.

I see it in another child who will help a younger brother fix a bike, when he could be off playing with friends.

I see it when someone would give up a very financially rewarding job, to be closer to family.

I see it in a mother who gives up her native land, and goes to another, to support her husband and give her children adventure.

The list goes on. . .

This world is full of amazing people, amazing because of the selfless things they do. . . I am glad to know them and learn from their example.

Conference Breakfast

My kids love this, it makes a ton. It fed nine people all day, plus the small pie bowl went to the neighbors. We only have it conference Sundays, twice a year. More than that and the calories might kill you.

3 Bags Potatoes O'brien

4 Pounds Costco Bacon

3 Pounds Costco Sausage

3 loaves white bread (not the heels)

42 Eggs

5 Pounds cheese

I use three bowl to mix all this. Pre-cook the sausage and Bacon. Pre-heat the oven to 350 degrees.

While the bacon and sausage is cooking, put one bag of potatoes in each bowl. 5 pieces of Bread, broken up, about 2 cups shredded cheese plus a handful (?) and one dozen eggs. Mix it all together. Add the Bacon and sausage, divided out evenly.

Place in dishes and cook for about 45-50 minutes (with two pans in the oven). I usually cook it until it is firm to cut with a knife.With a few minutes left put more cheese on the top.

This is one of the best things my kids look forward too, well that and the candy.

Three Generations

Three Generations of Priesthood Holders. Tiny in the front is actually twelve.

My Dad, ie; Father William(no idea), Old Man, Papi, Grandpa, has always instilled in us the importance of attending conference but particularly the priesthood session; missing was not an option. . . ever.

Conference was great the speakers were;

Elder Nelson - Every member a missionary

Elder Patrick Kearon - He is from Arabia, I think, very cool accent, the women would like to see him speak, trust me they would. He spoke of being obedient and not lazy. He got stung by a scorpion, in the desert.

Elder Uceda - Described our nightly family scripture study, it apparently is not how it should be done. It goes something like this; Dad calls everyone down, kids don't want to or are whining, dad tries to nicely say we are doing it but loses his temper and threatens something horrible to get them to behave. . .spirit leaves. . .read scriptures, pray. . .then apologize. . .learn lessons about why that is not the way to do it. Keeping the spirit there is better.

President Uchtdorf- Beware of Pride, it is a gateway sin - it leads to others. Pride can be the desire to be admired or envied in some, for others it turns to envy. The way to combat it - Fill your heart with charity. Humility is not thinking less of yourself, it is thinking less about yourself.

President Eyring- Use the divine power we have to serve others. The power to serve is magnified by the power of the spirit. Repentance, Prayer and pondering the scriptures qualifies us to receive the spiritual power we need. You will know what to say when you get there to serve.

President Monson - The three R's of Choice. Right to Choose, Responsibility to Choose, Results of Choice.  Ended with the story of Clayton Christensen - Life goal to not play sports on Sunday ever. . .ends up playing basket ball for a major university as the starting center (oxford in England). . . The team goes to the national championship. . .wins every game. . .in final four. . .final game on Sunday. . .goes to coach and says he doesn't want to play. . .coach expects him to play. . .semifinal game the back-up center is injured. . .asks God in prayer if he could play just this once, it's an extenuating circumstance. . .God tells him he knows the answer. . .he doesn't play and attends a local ward's meeting's instead. . .he says "that decision was the key decision in his life as he found his life was full of "extenuating circumstances"". Pres. Monson discusses 100% obedience - it's easier to be 100% obedient than 98%.

Well, that is my very rough summary. More of what I gleaned and needed than anything else.

Following the session we went to an all you can eat pizza place. Very Tasty - Gained much weight.

What a great night!!

Daddy Daughter Date

Courtesy of Our new Ward Activities Chair our Ward renewed the "Daddy Daughter Date." It was a Island experience and we Got to learn about Tonga, New Zealand, Hawaii.

Queen practicing the Poi balls. She wouldn't look at the camera.

In New Zealand they did the Hakka and then the girls had the opportunity to paint their fathers into Maori warriors. I was the only one with black lips, courtesy of Squishy who is proudly displaying her talent to create.

 She's not so camera a shy now.

Baby girl helped so I did a classic Maori pose for her.

The Two girls with the dance and poi ball teacher, we did the hula, then some Tahitian dance.

A final picture, Baby Girl didn't get to be in the middle.

Now she is happy holding the paddle.

It was a great experience and we had an amazing turn out.

All in all. . .We sang, keep the commandments in Tongan, Learned of the first Hakka and were painted as Maori warriors, played with poi balls, danced several traditional island dances, but most of all just loved being out together. A great night and an awesome activity. 

Seven Kids on Sunday.

Not all mine, Kids and cousins, but you get the picture.

Church on Sunday. 

While yesterday was in no way different from most Sundays when we attend church, a few moments stood out in my mind;

Sacrament meeting, the first hour block. We ended up on the metal chairs in the back of the gym as the meeting had many visitors that day.
Besides the normal things of;
 "he's touching me!" 
Tank banging his head against the metal chairs chanting "I'm so bored," 
and Baby Girl laying on two or three and telling the people behind her to keep their feet off them;
Little man Jumped up once grabbed his groin and said quite loudly, "I gotta pee now, I can't hold it much longer." After a visit to a bathroom, 5 minutes later the same thing, the same phrase. Oh yeah. . .

Then Primary. I was teaching so The kids were forced to go to primary, by themselves, or they would lose their snake. I went into the library to make copies of the lesson and became the substitute librarian...if there is one, No big deal. But when I came out little man was wandering the halls, telling a teacher to leave him alone.
This happens regularly, he announces to his teacher he is bored and done with class, then walks out. When they try to address the problem and encourage him to come back, he says simply, "I hate you, leave me alone."

However, that doesn't work with me so back into class we went. He was doing okay so I left, but kept up vigilance at the door. All was fine until they began to sing, "Jesus wants me for a sunbeam", then Little Man stacked up three little chairs, took off his tiny suit coat and began swinging it over his head hitting many teachers and children in the process. They asked him to stop, he just smiled and kept going. I entered and the teachers said he was fine, at least he isn't yelling.

Up in front baby girl was rolling on the ground saying " I hate this. . .I hate this." I made her get back in her seat, she did so very reluctantly.

Bad Sunday? Bad kids? I don't think so. They get this from me. I too get very bored just sitting. The entire time at church, I  bounce my legs and squirm around. Gum chewing also give me something to do.

However, my favorite church memory is of Your Highness when he was about three. It was his first week in class. He hates singing (also a common element with our boys). After a few songs, he stood up in front of everyone and yelled, "no more singing," a few times.  When the singing continued he grabbed the music stand, shoved it under a low table, laid on the stand and grabbed two of the table legs, still proclaiming,  "no more singing1" Everyone was laughing so hard that they just let him be. After the incident one of the sweetest women in the world approached us and said, "It makes me feel good that not only my children act like this," then shared with us a similar incident that occured with her oldest.

Why do we go you ask?
First; The spiritual strength gets us through until the next week. We believe in the gospel of Christ.
Second; It's neat to see how the children learn to control themselves, going from causing problems to contributing.

Yeah, Seven kids on Sunday is always a blast.

Workout with my wife

You would think Dawn is pregnant today. She is having a very hard time walking. Why, you might ask? I talked her into doing a Suspension trainer workout with me yesterday.
 I made my own trainer and so we did this;

Without the "pop" at the end. . .yet. That's next. Then we did regular sqauts.

12 reps each, Repeat whole circuit twice.

Followed by a run/walk for 40 minutes.

Now she's using the roller.

Rock on.

Why I mountain bike?

People are always asking me how come I love mountain biking so much. Here are a few reasons.

1. The exercise, low impact, high burn.

2. The mountains. I hate riding on roads.

3. I can go faster than walking, or running. I can see places that would otherwise take days in less than one day.

4. The adventure. Getting stuck at night, Injuries, animals, sunsets, sunrise,etc.

5. The adrenaline. Nothing except skiing or snowboarding compares to ripping down a narrow single track. Nothing.

6. Moab. If you have been you understand. If have not, you don't.

7. Family. My Brothers and Brother-in-laws are the best biking buddies.

8. The challenge. Clearing a steep rocky climb. Fixing a blown out tire and tube 5 miles into a 15 mile ride. Riding out with a severe shoulder separation. Doing 103 miles in one day, all dirt, running out of water but still going.

9. Spring riding after a long winter. What a feeling.

10. Fall mountain colors. Only compares to spring.

If you don't mountain bike, you should try it. You don't know what you're missing. 

Maybe this list will help my wife understand more. What about winter do you ask, I still ride. But I snow shoe much more. Someday I will explain that.

New Weight Loss Idea!

      "Use more energy than you put in your face!"

No way I thought of that! Click to see where I got it.

It's so simple, If only I could do it.

I always figure; Eat more, Exercise more.

It usually ends up; Eat more, Exercise less.

It's not fat, It's fuel!

40th Wedding Anniversary!

We had too much Dessert! Consisting of; Strawberry Cheese cake, Pumpkin Pie, Apple Pie, Peach Pie, Wild Berry Pie, and a Cherry and Creme Danish. It Rocked.

40 Years. Dad was 29 Mom was 23. They met on a water skiing date, (my Dad was a professional water skier at the time). My Mom went out with my dad because he had a Convertible Pontiac GTO. Yes she liked cars. Then come kids. Gage, Gantrie, Mandy (they tried out an M - Nope it didn't work back to G's) Gavin, Guthrie. Fast forward 40 Years. Four of the five served missions. All five are sealed in the temple, to great spouses, and active in the church. We are all friends and frequently Bike, hike, camp, fish and have fun together. All  the Grandkids, of which there are 18 (give or take-I'm bad with keeping track) soon to be 19, are all like best friends. Whatever they did, something was right. Hopefully we can all be as successful.

Then Guthrie and I went on a night ride.

Are you really surprised?

Signage

This world is full of signs; Caution signs, Warning sings, Beware signs, Stay Out signs, etc.  These are some of my favorites. . .  

Bikes and Blackness

Look really close at the picture, see the trees in the back ground? Closer, now can you see them. . .that was the problem neither could we.

Birthdays and Bagels.

Hannah has always been a character. A character with a very strong sense of self and not afraid to lead or set the standard. Anyway. . .thursday, as Dawn and I head off to the local walmart for some fruit, Esther reminds Hannah that she has a birthday party, and she was late. Rapidly she grabs her helmet, mounts her newly repaired bike and off she goes. We finish shopping and return home without incident. Later at the house I question Hannah about the party. There was the normal party stuff, pinata, cake and presents. When she said presents I responded that we can go tomorrow and get something for her freind. The conversation went like this. . .

Kindergarten for Sammy

What do you say about Sammy?