Snowshoeing for Two

I think I’m still on a high from all the fresh air and beautiful snowy mountain landscapes I indulged when I went on an impromptu getaway into the Idaho mountains yesterday.

I’m so happy that my Aunt, Uncle & Cousin invited me to join them on a little overnight adventure to their cabin. I haven’t seen this much snow in about two years, so you can bet that I was over the moon.

This is what I awoke to yesterday morning…yeah I had to pinch myself to make sure I wasn’t dreaming. There is just something so magical about being in the peaceful nature.

Once the sun came out we jumped into our snow gear ready to hit the fresh snow. I haven’t been snowshoeing in almost two years either and the challenge definitely excited me.

I was really curious how my preggo body would handle the hike through the cold, but also happy that I could one day tell our little guy about our first snowshoe adventure together.

Due to my short legs, my preggo waddle, and my decrease in cardio over the months I just took it slow but steady. I really just told myself I was taking in the beauty around me and took lots of photo breaks.

We trudged around through a snowy field, looking back every so often to take in the sight of our own tracks. It was an amazing feeling to lay the first tacks in a blanket of snowy white.

My family was happy, I know baby and I were happy and even the pups were enjoying their snowy adventure!

After about 45 minutes of hiking around I had to take off my coat and gloves because I was so hot and sweaty!

Snowshoeing = awesome workout

I would totally recommend a snowshoeing adventure to anyone who is pregnant and feels comfortable moving around in the snow. The great thing was, we weren’t too far away from the cabin, so if at any point I needed to stop we could. We had water with us, and we just took it slow.

The other great thing about snowshoeing is that it’s a pretty leisurely activity. It can be harder or easier depending on your terrain. We kept our jaunt to under an hour, which seemed to be the perfect amount of time.

I love being able to incorporate fitness into my life in all different ways, especially now that I’m a little more limited in what I can do. It’s always best to listen to your body…and my body was saying “WOOOO HOOO!”

Snowshoeing for two was just like snowshoeing for one…a completely beautiful and amazing adventure. I am so happy that my family invited me on this little getaway. It was exactly what this girl needed…family time, fresh air, a little cardio workout and the most gorgeous scenery ever. #happy #lifeisgood

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A little Flashback Friday action…

• Snowshoeing Adventure 2011
• Snowshoeing Adventure 2010

Gettin’ into the Spirit

I think I’ve transitioned into this chilling 30 degree Idaho weather from the warm 70 degree flip-flop and tank top Texas weather quite nicely.

Nothing will put you in the Christmas mood like bundling up in a million layers and sipping on nice hot cocoa while snow flakes fall.

I was super excited when I was able to talk my Dad and brother into accompanying me to the Boise Christmas Market this past Saturday. The Saturday market is always filled with lots of unique gifts and fun homemade treats.

And you can bet this preggers was all about those freshly made donuts! Yum! There were also many other fun food samples given out by vendors like spiced nuts, fresh cheeses, and honey!

It was fun to walk around the different booths trying new things, having some laughs with the fam, as well as soaking in the fresh & crisp Boise air.

After a fun-filled day outside it was time to take the party inside…where ugly sweaters, Christmas-y decor and a whole lot of laughter filled the air.

It was time for our annual Ugly Christmas Sweater party! As usual, it was filled with silly outfits, lots of catching up with friends and other crazy shenanigans!

The only difference this year from other years is that a good amount of the guests are expecting!

Crazy to think we are all due within two months of each other…next year I have a feeling that the Ugly Christmas Party will have a completely different feel with a bunch of rug rats running around.

My favorite sweater of the evening….I love the Christmas Story!

And here is a photo of what I managed to piece together at the last minute thanks to a little thrifting!

I know it’s not a sweater, but the shirt made laugh so hard since everyone always makes fun of me for being short since I’m only 5 ft 1.

Anyways…a weekend of laughs and catching up with family and friends in my hometown was much needed and felt so comforting, especially after the emotional events of last week.

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These Ugly Christmas Sweater parties seem to be coming more and more popular each year! Have you ever participated in one? 

Family Outing

I’m still in disbelief how nice it is here in El Paso in December! It was in the mid 70’s yesterday and there was just no way we could not enjoy the nice weather.

So a little exploration of our new neighborhood was definitely in order…and guess who begged to come along? SEABREEZE!!

I can’t remember the last time she came out on a ride, I’m thinking it was over a year ago back in Idaho.

SeaBreeze was happy, I was happy, and J. Alabama was very happy!

He ran for four miles through undeveloped neighborhoods, while I leisurely followed behind him on my cruiser. I was promoted to “water girl” and was tasked with the job to carry water in my basket during our outing.

It was so so so nice to get outside and feel the fresh air and be able to get some exercise with the hubs. We were able to chitchat side by side along this deserted road.

Almost immediately after I started peddling I could feel a huge flutter of baby in my belly! I have been feeling a little bit of bubbles over the last week, but this was huge. I’m thinking the lil one was a fan of ride!

It was the perfect little 4 mile ride alongside J. Alabama, and marked our first ride as a family! It got me really really excited for the days in which our little one will have a bicycle of their own and we can really do a family bike ride.

I’m pretty sure this warm winter weather is typical for El Paso, but it seems that most places are also staying unusually warm for this time of year. I’m just crossing my fingers for a snowfall when I get back to Idaho for Christmas, as the humid Georgia winter last year was brutal for me. I’ll take snow over heat in December any day.

Though I’m definitely soaking up the nice weather here now, because at this rate we will be back in the scorching heat here soon. It gets hot here in Texas!

Happy Monday friends!

The Big “D”

After a wonderful Thanksgiving weekend catching up with family, I’m reminded how truly thankful I am. Our weekend was filled with laughter, teasing, games, lots of eating, playful twin nephews and tons of catching up as this was the first time in three Thanksgivings that all J’s siblings and parents were able to get together under one roof. It was truly a blessing to able to share this Thanksgiving with all of them.

Unfortunately our trip had to end with heartfelt goodbyes as J. Alabama will not be able to see them again for about a year due to his upcoming Army obligations.

I assumed the role of army wife over a year and a half ago with the knowledge that my husband could potentially be sent over seas to fight for our country. He told me up front (even before we were married) all the little things that could come with army life.

Being the optimistic person that I am, as well as hearing all the talk of pulling out our troops I just assumed (hoped & prayed) we were exempt from any and all deployment talk. And honestly, as naive as it sounds I kind of liked it better thinking that our little family wouldn’t have to go through something like that.

But alas, it is something our little family is going to have to go through, and it will be happening fairly soon.

I’m very proud of my husband for everything he has done already for our country, [this will be his second deployment, the first one with me] as well as everything he is setting out to do on this upcoming mission.

I am a mix of feelings and emotions as we embark on this new chapter in our short story thus far. There are so many thoughts and feelings that flood my mind when I think about my husband leaving to do the job that he signed up for. The job to protect me, our new little baby on the way, and our country.

It’s just a hard pill to swallow with all the other changes that I have been going through in the last few weeks, months and heck, I’ll say it…the last year.

It’s been one crazy ride over the last year and half, (getting married, moving across the country twice, and now being pregnant as I prepare for my husband to deploy) and I’m not even fully settled here at army post #2 and soon he’ll be gone.

I know it’s all part of the job and the military wife stuff I signed up for, but to actually say the word deployment out loud is really really tough.

I’ve been trying to pull strength from some amazing ladies who have gone through this before me, or are currently going through the same thing now. I know it’s not going to be the easiest journey, especially due to our lil pumpkin on the way, but I know just like everything else we will persevere.

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For my fellow mil-spouses, do you have any tips/advice for gearing up for a deployment?

A Heavenly Hike

In lieu of a Rave Run post I’m opting to share with you a hike I went on last month when I was visiting Boise, Idaho.

It was fitting that I share this with you today, as I had gone on this hike up Table Rock with my cousin Katie who just celebrated her 23rd birthday yesterday. {Happy Birthday Katie-Bug!}

Upon my most recent trip home in August, I realized that in the 28 years that I lived in Boise I had never actually hiked up Table Rock. It was definitely on my Boise Bucket list, a list of touristy things that I never accomplished in the 28 years of living in Boise but still have to the desire to experience.

I was told by my cousin Katie that it was only about 3 miles roundtrip, though in parts wasn’t the easiest of climbs. She has done the hike a few times and was excited when I asked her to be my guide.

Here is our view from the starting point looking out to where the turnaround point at the top was. From here the end looked so very far away.

We began the steep trek up the trails toward Table Rock.

The weather at 9:00 am was perfect. We could just start to feel the heat of the sun down on us. Though if you were doing this hike in the dead of summer I would suggest starting earlier in the morning as it heats up quickly.

Some parts of the trail were pretty flat and easy, and then the steeper parts seemed to show up out of nowhere. The great thing about this trail is that it’s filled with mostly hikers (a few runners here and there and bikers) but mostly just people out for a stroll.

So it was no big deal to take our time, snap some photos, and even just take a breather every so often. Which was definitely needed during the steeper parts of the climb.

The scenery on this hike is absolutely amazing. You have views of the foothills, the mountains, and when you turn you around can see the whole city. It’s truly remarkable.

We kept climbing our way to top. Even though we were getting closer, the end still seemed so far away.

The best feeling is when you get to the big cross that marks the top of Table Rock.

It felt surreal hanging out at the top of Table Rock. As I was flooded with many memories from my high school days.

This was a place where just several feet under the cross lay rocks that spell out a giant letter “B” for Boise. But for us Boise High school kids liked to claim it as as ”B” for Boise High and paint the rocks red to represent. Just to find out later that the Borah High kids (our rivals) would later paint them green. And thus the paint wars would go on and on.

It was fun seeing the city from this view and remembering the sunrise I saw on the morning after my high school graduation with all of my friends. A day I remember was an end of an era, and the start of whole new life.

There were so many great memories a top that mountain, and yet I realized that I had never actually physically made the trek up it until that day with my baby cousin. A new and amazing memory that I now have.

I forgot how much I loved Boise the city, and how beautiful it is there. But I remember that I am thankful for the 28 years that I did spend there with the amazing memories that I have, and for the rest of the amazing memories that I have not yet experienced.

As the great thing is, I can come home to visit this place whenever I want! And that makes me happy.

The hike down the mountain was a lot more fun than the hike up. Katie even got so excited that she began running at full speeds down the mountain to the bottom. I actually had a hard time catching up to her.

She had no fear plowing down that steep hill, and it was so awesome to watch her fly.

It took us about an hour and a half total to complete the whole hike, and I will admit that I felt on top of the world afterwards. For all you Boiseans that have yet to make the trek to to top of Table Rock you should definitely add this to your fitness bucket list.

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Have a happy Friday my friends!

Mom Does CrossFit

It all started when my mom asked me to show her some exercises that would make her ‘guns’ stronger.

“Oooohh!” I squealed with delight, “I’m going to make you do CrossFit with me!”.

It was then that the MOM-WOD (Mom workout-of-the-day) was born!

She was nervous let me tell ya. I guess she thought I was going to go all military boot camp style on her, but it being her first time doing anything CrossFit style I went easy.

I came up with a list of a few of my favorite exercises, as well as ones that could be easily done in the comfort of the backyard.

We started the workout with a nice warm up, and yes a short jog was included. My mom doesn’t run, but it was fun to encourage her to do so during the warm up. She did pretty good!

Then it was onto the real MOM WOD!

Round 1: As fast as possible

• 25 air squats
• 25 push ups
• 25 butterfly sit-ups
• 25 tricep dips

After round one we took a 1 minute break and moved onto round two. I changed up a few of the workouts to make them a little more intense, that way she’d have options to choose from in the future.

Round 2: As fast as possible

• 25 squat thrusts with 3lb weights
• 25 renegade rows with 3lb weights
• 25 butterfly sit-ups
• 25 tricep dips

We managed to finish the workout in about 15 minutes (not counting warm-up or cool down), and we were definitely sweaty and feeling it by the end.

Then I turned over to my mom and asked her what she thought. She said that she loved it and it was super fun! Her favorite exercise was the renegade rows (so hard!).  I wasn’t expecting that response, but was so glad that it was a success.

However, I will make a side note that my mom wouldn’t allow the workout to be finished until a 5 minute savasana was added at the end. (That’s the yoga teacher in her coming out!).

Do you think you could convince your parent’s to try CrossFit?

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Happy workout Thursday!

Travels

Yes my friends, I did just in fact arrive in El Paso, Texas a mere week and a half ago. I haven’t even had time to unpack my suitcase. Well that ended up saving me some time this morning, let me tell you.

Even though I just got here, I’m already saying a temporary goodbye to my new home here in Texas for a few weeks.

Goodbye El Paso Mountains, I’ve just started to love looking at you!

And HELLO Idaho mountains! We meet again old friend, oh yes we meet again.

There is nothing like a good trip back home to pass the time while you are counting down the days until your new house will close!

Actually, I’m not going home just to pass the time, I’m really going to see my older brother J-Bomb tie the knot! I’m super pumped to get another sis-in-law.

Aren’t they cute?

Y’all know how much I love weddings! 🙂

Yesterday I did a guest post over at Aneta’s blog where I talked about why I love weddings. Feel free to take a look!

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Next time I blog will be from the land-o-potatoes! Yipppee! See y’all on the flip side.

Classic

Today marks a very special day, as I would like to wish my Dad a happy 60th birthday!

He’s clearly a classic!

I flew back to Boise, Idaho this past weekend to celebrate the big 6-0 with my pops and 50 of his closest friends.

Since he grew up during the time period in which Motown Music was really popular [think Temptations, Supremes, etc], we decided to throw him a 60’s Motown themed party.

We dressed him as a Motown singer and my mom and friends dressed as his back up singers/doo-wop girls. It was perfect.

And I think he liked it! 🙂

Pulling the theme together was easy, we just asked my grandma what types of dishes were popular at parties in the 60’s. Here is what she suggested.

3 Layer Sandwich (tuna fish, avocado, egg salad) & classic deviled eggs.

Cabbage Heads (cheese, olives and meat tooth picked into a cabbage head), and celery sticks with peanut butter and cheese.

There was even spiked punch, & throwback soda for the ultimate touch.

And a lot of records hanging to go with the music Motown theme.

It was fun that everyone dressed up and got into the party spirit.

As soon as the Motown Band started to play the classics, the party really got started.

 

And the cops may or may not have showed up at one point to bust up the 60th birthday party, but they were cool when they saw us all dressed up and let the party and music go on!

We coordinated with the band to pull my dad up during a rendition of ‘My Girl’ to have him sing with his doo-wop girls.

You can watch the actual You Tube video here.

It was too much fun, and I know my dad got a kick out of it!

After our fun song and dance number, they brought out the cake and the band sang happy birthday.

It was such a fun celebration as we danced until the wee hours of the morning!

It was also fun to be reunited with my whole family. We haven’t all been together since Christmas, and it just felt good to have us all back together!

I’m so happy that my Dad’s party was so fun and such a success.

Happy 60th Dad, I hope you have a rockin’ day today!

I had such a blast this weekend hanging out with you! Love You!! ♥

 

A Busy April

Donkey agrees, it was quite the busy month.

Total Running Mileage: 23.25 miles

My mileage is still pretty measly, but with the purchase of two new pairs of running shoes and some new running motivation (running friends & groups) I have a good feeling for May.

Fitness Classes:

My work schedule does not really work well with the fitness classes offered at the gym. There may be a few nights I can squeeze in Zumba but other than I’m going to have to get creative in my workouts. Hence why I foresee a lot more running in my future, (it’s a great solo fitness activity).

Class-of-the-month: Sexy Yoga & Dance

Race of the Month: The Dirty Girl Mud Run – Atlanta, GA

Announcement of the month: What’s next for the Alabama’s?

Hello Texas! [We still have a few months here in GA].

Army Moment of the month: Graduation!

J. graduated from his Army Officer Basic Leadership Course – which was a 5 month course that brought us to GA in the first place.

Since we already here in Fort Benning, he has decided to add on a few more smaller schools such as Ranger, ARC (Armor Reconnaissance Course), and maybe even Airborne.  Which is why we will be in GA a little bit longer than we originally thought.

My not-so-favorite Army Moment: Saying goodbye. 😦

We Army Wives have grown really close over the last few months, so it was really hard to say goodbye when our first Army Wife had to move on to their next duty station.

It’s inevitable that we will all have to leave at some point, but saying goodbye was really sad. Kait was my first real friend here.

 Special Visitors:

Not only did we get to spend a lovely week with my parents this month, we also had a quick visit with J’s sister. Yay for family!

And let’s not forget the epic 2.5 day road trip to Daytona Beach to visit my Grandma!

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April Aftermath:

April was a busy busy month and I think things might be slowing down just a wee bit this month. I don’t have anything huge and exciting planned for this month, except for that whole turning 29 thing. Eeek. LOL.

Stay tuned, as you just never know what crazy shenanigans are happening over here! 🙂

A Family Favorite

After spending a year abroad in Italy in 2003, I came back bursting with Italian traditions to share with my family back home.

One being indulging in the ever popular Panettone bread during the Christmas holiday.

You’ve probably seen this box of bread when strolling through Cost Plus or in any specialty market and wondered what the heck it was all about.

It can be best described as a sort of sweet muffin cake bread.

For the first few years after my arrival back home from Italy we would buy this bread at Christmas time and eat slices with our coffee on Christmas morning.

But then my brother saw Giada turn this bread into a breakfast masterpiece.

Panettone French Toast!

If you follow Giada’s recipe, you will be sure to fall in love with just as our family did. Though, it’s not healthy by any means.

Every year we now adapt some sort of panettone french toast into our Christmas morning breakfast. And it’s as glorious as it looks.

It’s funny how traditions start, but I’m happy to carry this one through…because it’s really that good!

What are your family Christmas meal traditions? As I wrote about yesterday, we always do lasagna for Christmas Eve, and now panettone french toast for christmas morning!