Category Archives: Family

Our crazy families

Christmas with Grandpa!

We always have 2 Christmases. Except for last year, when I hosted for the first time in 3 decades so we only had one, but it was ruined by one of my relations who shall remain nameless. You know who you are you B. ;0  Anyway, we picked up the old tradition again this year by having one Christmas with Grandpa Keeler and then heading up to NM for a couple days to spend a formal Christmas with my mom. Even though Grandpa has been in his new apartment for almost 2 years now, this was the first time we spent Christmas in it and we had a lot of fun. His place is so cozy and cute and absolutely perfect for him. The boys got some really cool stuff and we got a delicious box of dates! Yummy! Thank you for being so wonderful Grandpa! We are looking forward to a fantastic trip with you this year! Disneyworld or BUST baby! =)

Of course the kids couldn't help themselves. They ripped everything open in one fell swoop!
Of course the kids couldn’t help themselves. They ripped everything open in one fell swoop!
Woohoo! Ninja Turtle viewfinder!
Woohoo! Ninja Turtle viewfinder!
These were awesome. Henry has had SO much fun playing with them.
These were awesome. Henry has had SO much fun playing with them.
Cool books! Henry has been reading the joke book to us every since he got it. Awesome job Grandpa!
Cool books! Henry has been reading the joke book to us every since he got it. Awesome job Grandpa!
ChristmasGpa16
Looking at his card…
Opening his presents...
Opening his presents…
Pictures of Thing 1 and Thing 2! Haha! We forgot our group picture again dangit! Ok NEXT TIME!! Don't let me forget...
Pictures of Thing 1 and Thing 2! Haha! We forgot our group picture again dangit! Ok NEXT TIME!! Don’t let me forget…

 

Bishop 2016!

We went back and forth about going to Bishop this year.  After our Joe’s Valley trip we felt psyched to get back on the rocks, but we had so much to do to prepare for the trip and such little time to do it in, we just became overwhelmed and lost focus and motivation. Tommy’s truck suspension was on the fritz as well, so he wanted to stay home and get that fixed and I was just honestly dreading the crowds that always amass in Bishop every Thanksgiving. We actually cancelled the trip and then I felt so awful about it and convinced Tommy that we had to go. Our only stipulation was that we weren’t allowed to go anywhere that we’d already been. The repetition of going back to the same stuff was getting old and it was either new or die.

So, we set out with a list of new places and new projects and WE HAD AN ABSOLUTE BALL! And we didn’t hit any crowds! Woo hoo! I’m not anti-social or anything but the crowds are too much for me now. We’ve gotten spoiled by our woody and the solitude it provides. Tsk Tsk. What have you done to me Tommy? We also decided to make our Thanksgiving dinner using our crockpot and making instant everything else. It was delectable! After a week, our skin was trashed and we felt good leaving it all on the rocks. We left a lot of projects undone and are anxious for next year. Here’s to hoping we stay injury free this year and can crush some problems next November!

One of the things that had us overwhelmed before the trip was our pop-up trailer. It’s only getting smaller as the boys get bigger and we were desperate for more room. We debated on whether to just sell it and upgrade but unfortunately the decision wasn’t so easy. The bigger you go, the heavier you get and our 4runner can only haul a certain weight. So, with a new trailer, we’d need a new truck, and after much consideration we decided we weren’t willing to do that. We are really enjoying being debt free so we decided to try and come up with a way to add more space to the trailer. Somehow.

During our trip to Joe’s Valley, one of the main zippers on the entrance flap broke and we couldn’t close it. Our two options were to either have me fix it with my industrial machine, or buy a completely new tent cover which would have cost thousands of dollars. We chose the former and a week before our trip, we tore it off the bars and dragged it into the garage to try and fix it. I will tell you that it was one of the hardest projects I’ve ever had to do. Just the logistics made it nearly impossible. It weighed about 50 pounds and trying to maneuver the pile of vinyl into place gave us about a thousand calorie workout. It took me roughly 8 hours from start to finish and Tommy was there the whole way. I also had to enlist the help of my poor brother who had come over for a short visit. Nevertheless, we did it and even though there were a few spots that weren’t straight and some original holes that I missed filling, I was VERY happy with the result. The zippers are SUPER beefy and aluminum instead of plastic so they’ll last till the end of time.

After brainstorming  a while, I threw out the idea of trying to add a bunk bed to give the boys more room and ultimately give us more storage space. This would have been much easier to conceive in a hard sided trailer but with a pop up you’re limited to a certain space when everything collapses. However, I knew that Tommy would come up with something – he always does. So a couple weeks before the trip, he went out and bought materials and started creating a bunk bed system. It was amazing and the boys absolutely loved it! We also added a big storage bin in the place of one of the benches and that was nice as well. Eventually we want to add in a permanent fridge and heater. That’s for this year though. We can’t have a trip where we aren’t scrambling to get something done. It just wouldn’t be the same! Hahaha!

*ps – if you click on the pics, you’ll see a larger version. This blog is retarded and makes everything small. Lame, I say.

New Bunkbeds...
New Bunkbeds…
Nice and sturdy...
Nice and sturdy…
New storage bench
New storage bench – lots of room
First night crashing on the beds. =)
First night crashing on the beds. =)
Next morning! Bright eyed and bushy tailed drinking their hot chocolate
Next morning! Bright eyed and bushy tailed drinking their hot chocolate
First day on. We decided to check out an area called Sherwins Plateau. Lots of pocket stuff and a cool place to let the kids mess around in
First day on. We decided to check out an area called the Sherwin Plateau. Lots of pocket stuff and a cool place to let the kids mess around
An absolutely gorgeous area even if it was a little cold...
An absolutely gorgeous area even if it was a little cold…
Me and the turds. Henry finally pulling his weight and hauling a crash pad. William carried the backpack which probably weighed as much as he did...Hahaha!
Me and the turds. Henry finally pulling his weight and hauling a crash pad. William carried the backpack which probably weighed as much as he did…Hahaha!
My heart! This was the first trip that the kids actually wanted to climb. We stopped in Redlands and bought some shoes for them and they were so excited to get on the rock. They usually just climb in their regular street shoes on the woody so actually having sticky rubber and more precision really had them excited.
My heart! This was the first trip that the kids actually wanted to climb. We stopped in Redlands and bought some shoes for them and they were so eager to get on the rock. They usually just climb in their regular street shoes on the woody, so actually having sticky rubber and more precision had them really excited.
Will working his way up the slab...
Will working his way up the slab…

Bishop16

Henry taking his turn...
Henry taking his turn…

Bishop16

Bishop16

Bishop16

Bishop16

Bishop16

Bishop16

Bishop16

Bishop16

Bishop16

Taking a break from the real climbing...
Taking a break from the real climbing…
Getting on a super crimpy and technical V4.
Getting on a super crimpy and technical V4.
Tommy killing it...
Tommy killing it…

Bishop16

Bishop16

Heading up to another area called Rock Creek. It's a beautiful area right by a campground. I would love to go there at a warmer time. It started blowing snow around while we were there and we froze our butts off.
Heading up to another area called Rock Creek. It’s a beautiful area right by a campground. I would love to go there at a warmer time. It started blowing snow around while we were there and we froze our butts off.

Bishop16

Bishop16

On our way back down from the mountain. We were all exhausted. Poor Tommy! =)
On our way back down from the mountain. We were all exhausted. Poor Tommy! =)
That night...the boys were acting like wild monkeys
That night…the boys were acting like wild monkeys
Next day on. Went to the Sad boulders. We've never spent a lot of time there. A gloomy vibe and it's hard to get around because the boulders are so close together...
Next day on. Went to the Sad boulders. We’ve never spent a lot of time there. It’s got a gloomy vibe and it’s hard to get around because the boulders are so close together…
Hanging out with their new friend Jesse. They really loved bugging him. Hahaha!
Hanging out with their new friend Jesse. They really loved bugging him. Hahaha!
Working on an awesome V2 called Prozac Nation.
Working on an awesome V2 called Prozac Nation.

Bishop16

Bishop16

Super duper fun problem
Super duper fun problem
Jesse took this picture of me and said I looked like Assassins Creed. Ha!
Tommy giving it a go from the bottom traverse...
Tommy giving it a go from the bottom traverse…

Bishop16

Taking a knee bar break...
Taking a knee bar break…

Bishop16

Bishop16

Moving across the way, Jesse got on a crazy scary highball called Professional Widow.
Moving across the way, Jesse got on a crazy scary highball called Professional Widow.

Tommy got on this ridiculous V4 during a horrible windstorm. Everyone else was taking shelter!
The next morning...all we saw was this leg...Ha!
The next morning…all we saw was this leg…Ha!
We spent our next day up at a place called the Pollen Grains. Such an amazing place and we were the only ones there until late afternoon. It was Heaven!
We spent our next day up at a place called the Pollen Grains. Such an amazing place and we were the only ones there until late afternoon. It was Heaven!

Bishop16

My little stinker carrying his pad
My little stinker carrying his pad
William got stuck with the back pack again. He struggled on the approach but he made it all the way and made us proud!
William got stuck with the back pack again. He struggled on the approach but he made it all the way and made us proud!
Making our way out to the boulders...all my boys.
Making our way out to the boulders…all my boys.
Warming up on some jugs
Warming up on some jugs
Henry trying some warmups
Henry trying some warmups
The boys disappeared and we found them at the top of this rock. It was really a childs paradise up there. So much fun in every direction.
The boys disappeared and we found them at the top of this rock. It was really a child’s paradise up there. So much fun in every direction.

Bishop16

Bishop16

One of my unfinished projects. Cindy Swank V7
One of my unfinished projects. Cindy Swank V7
Another day in the Sads trying more new stuff. They boys found their old cave from last year. =)
Another day in the Sads trying more new stuff. They boys found their old cave from last year. =)
Giving the infamous Rio's Crack a try. Ugh. SO HARD.
Giving the infamous Rio’s Crack a try. Ugh. SO HARD.
Trying a new one called Karma V6. Really fun
Trying a new one called Karma V6. Really fun

Bishop16

Frog pose…
Elina giving it a go
Elina giving it a go
It's turkey time!
It’s turkey time!
Yummy dinner!
Yummy dinner!
Happy Thanksgiving!
Happy Thanksgiving!
The next morning. Still acting like total clowns.
The next morning. Still acting like total clowns.
They couldn't even make it two feet...
They couldn’t even make it two feet…
Giving some of the Sad boulders a try...
Giving some of the Sad boulders a try…
Hooyah!
Hooyah!

Bishop16

Bishop16

Bishop16

Bishop16

Went out to the Pollen Grains one last time to get on a cool roof. I was freezing and miserable and my skin was killing me.
Went out to the Pollen Grains one last time to get on a cool roof. I was freezing and miserable and my skin was killing me.
Heading back to the parking lot on a gloomy afternoon. Happy with our trip though.
Heading back to the parking lot on a gloomy afternoon. Happy with our trip though.

Here’s a little compilation of some of the videos we took there:

 

Taking our boy out to the range


Tommy had a Friday off and since William was at home with me, we decided to take him to the range and start getting him comfortable with shooting firearms. Nothing is more effective than education. That’s how I was taught and I’m anxious to pass that knowledge onto my boys. One day when they are old enough, I would like Tommy to teach them to hunt as well. Will had a great time. He wasn’t a big fan of the AR15 or the pistol, but he really liked the 22 rifle. Last year for Christmas, Uncle Joe got both of them BB guns and they have gotten really good shooting cans in the back yard.

Starting him off with the 22 rifle...
Starting him off with the 22 rifle…

Willshoots

Getting situated
Getting situated
Ready...aim...
Ready…aim…
Fire!
Fire!
Taking a turn with the pistol
Taking a turn with the pistol

Willshoots

The ear muffs were huge on him!
The ear muffs were huge on him!
Handsome boy
Handsome boy

 

 

Merry Christmas from Tucson!

Well, “Merry” is a bit of a strong word for our very first time hosting Christmas in Tucson with Grandpa and Maria’s mom, brother, and sister.  We were super excited and decked the house with all sorts of holiday decor.  Maria hand-made everyone’s stockings, and I had some big plans for Christmas dinner.  But alas, things didn’t go according to plan.  Holly, who hasn’t been with us for Christmas in about 7 years, came down with a nasty bug the day after she arrived, leaving her basically bed-ridden through her whole trip!  Then Joe got sick a day or two later, forcing us to cancel all our dinner plans and festivities!  We were able to get everyone out of bed for an hour or two on Christmas Eve to open presents with Grandpa and the kids, but that quickly disbanded once the last bits of wrapping paper settled to the floor.  Then, on Christmas day we were all supposed to regroup for stockings and Santa’s presents, but Grandpa awoke with a stiff bout of vertigo that kept him home and we barely got Joe and Holly out of hibernation long enough to partake 🙁  Needless to say, no one was keen on Christmas dinner later that day either!

Even after our Christmas was officially over, Murphy kept his foot on the gas!  Holly started to feel somewhat human the day she had to leave for VT and Joe regained an appetite just in time for us to have a belated dinner with Grandpa before he and Mom had to cut their trip short to try and beat a rare NM blizzard!  So all in all, our first Christmas was a flop, but the kids really seemed to enjoy it, and it was good to see family, even if it was only during the moments they crawled into the kitchen to reload on Nyquil!  Maybe next year….

IMG_0857 (1024x768)
Will’s first encounter with the big man himself at the school’s Holiday Night
Henry’s turn!
Story time with Oma before heading out for our crazy family Christmas picture
Story time with Oma before heading out for our crazy family Christmas picture
Looks like the boys were pretty nice (...eh spoiled) this year!
Looks like the boys were pretty nice (…eh spoiled) this year!
Mama dishing out the goods
Mama dishing out the goods on Christmas Eve
Some yummies from NM!
Some yummies from NM!
What is that!?
What is that!?
They both got their first BB rifles...thanks Uncle Joe!!
They both got their first BB rifles…thanks Uncle Joe!!
Thanks Grandpa for all the cool toys!
Thanks Grandpa for all the cool toys!
Mama also scored a really cool lantern from Holly
Mama also scored a really cool lantern from Holly
Henry working on his 'rip and tear' technique
Henry working on his ‘rip and tear’ technique
Oooooohhhh!
Oooooohhhh! A new shaving kit!
We bought mommy a new bookcase...
We bought mommy a new bookcase…
All done...and the patients depart to their sick beds
All done…and the patients depart to their sick beds
Looks like Santa came and filled the custom stalkings that Mama made
Looks like Santa came and filled the custom stalkings that Mama made
The two turds couldn't wait to see what was inside...we had to basically chain them up to keep them from getting out of bed before 7:00!
The two turds couldn’t wait to see what was inside…we had to basically chain them up to keep them from getting out of bed before 7:00!
"Put it back! You have to wait for everyone else to get up!"
“Put it back! You have to wait for everyone else to get up!”
Checking their inventory in their brand new Minions PJs...adorable!
Checking their inventory in their brand new Minions PJs…adorable!
Everyone made out with some pretty cool stuff
Everyone made out with some pretty cool stuff

 

Our summer trip…Montana!

After almost 5 years, we finally got back up to see Dad and Tess in Missoula. I can’t tell you HOW MUCH FUN WE HAD! I knew it was going to be great to see everyone but we experienced some stuff that some people never do. Especially at the boys age, it was so amazing to be able to watch them fish for the first time, (and not throw a mad tantrum about it) watch them make a vase on a potters wheel,  watch them have an absolute blast on water toys and watch them love on their grandparents. What a treat. It was a wonderful visit and a hard goodbye, but hopefully it won’t take as long to reunite as it did this time. Missoula is beautiful and the weather was perfect for us the entire trip. We also floated down the river, bouldered at the local rock gym, caught up with old friends and made new ones. What a great way to end the summer. After getting back home, chaos ensued as it was the week before Henry went back to school. I found out a couple weeks ago that William makes the cut off for kindergarten next year which means, I’m losing my baby a year earlier than expected. I’ve been struggling with that lately just because he’s my last and I realize that what everyone has been telling me is true…the years are flying by. I can’t believe it’s almost August. Where the hell has the time gone? It is a joy watching them grow and change though. It’s just that as Will and Henry get older, Tommy and I are getting older too. Booooo. Don’t worry. Neither of us are having a mid life crisis…YET. But ours probably won’t be like normal people where they go out and buy a fancy car or something. We’ll want to go sky diving or BASE jumping. Something completely and ridiculously stupid. Haha! Or maybe we’ll just invest in dirt bikes for the whole family and go tear it up on the trails. Yeah…that sounds more like it. =) I hope all of you are well and are having a great summer. William’s having his 4th birthday party next weekend so stay tuned for some more pics. Love you’s!!

Grandpa Lind getting the wheel ready...
Grandpa Lind getting the wheel ready…
Will was first...he was nervous about getting his hands dirty. What a Sally...
Will was first…he was nervous about getting his hands dirty. What a Sally…
Push!
Push!
Harder!
Harder!
Making the well...
Making the well…
Evening it out...
Evening it out…
Great job Will!
Great job Will!

Montana'15

Henry's turn...
Henry’s turn…
Shaping the vase...
Shaping the vase…

Montana'15

A little skeptical...
A little skeptical…
My boys...
My boys…
Me and my booger
Me and my booger
Getting a workout on the rings...
Getting a workout on the rings…
This kid is STRONG. Hopefully he can overcome his frustration in climbing cuz he'll be really good at it...
This kid is STRONG. Hopefully he can overcome his frustration in climbing cuz he’ll be really good at it…
Walking out on the bridge...
Walking out on the bridge…
Locks all over the place...
Locks all over the place…
Playing in the river...one of their favorite things...
Playing in the river…one of their favorite things…

Montana'15

Surf's up!
Surf’s up!

Montana'15

Time to fish!
Time to fish!
Tommy helping Henry cast his line...
Tommy helping Henry cast his line…
Dad helping Will cast
Dad helping Will cast
Reeling it in right away...
Reeling it in right away…
Actually enjoying it...
Actually enjoying it…
Just chillin'
Just chillin’
Just relaxin'...
And relaxin’…
After insisting that he could do it himself, Tommy let him try and he just picked it up right away. Really impressive...
After insisting that he could do it himself, Tommy let him try and he just picked it up right away. Really impressive…
All by himself. =)
All by himself. =)
After reeling his line in and finding a fish on the end!! Hilarious!
After reeling his line in and finding a fish on the end covered in weeds!! Hilarious!
Believe it or not, William caught one too! Both were so small but made them feel SO big. Haha!
Believe it or not, William caught one too! Both were so small but made them feel SO big. Haha!
Floating down the river! I had Will and Tommy had Henry. It was super fun.
Floating down the river! I had Will and Tommy had Henry. It was super fun.
After our float...waiting for Daddy to pick us up...
After our float…waiting for Daddy to pick us up…
Crashing on the way to somewhere. We upgraded his seat so he can't sleep very well in it anymore...
Crashing on the way to somewhere. We upgraded his seat so he can’t sleep very well in it anymore…
Stopping at the Bison Range on our way to the lake...
Stopping at the Bison Range on our way to the lake…

Montana'15

This guy was HUGE and so beautiful.
This guy was HUGE and so beautiful.
The ride to the lake house with Burt...
The ride to the lake house with Burt…
Their little cabin was on an island in the middle of the lake.
Their little cabin was on an island in the middle of the lake.
Burt's dog, Echo. She was a total water baby...
Burt’s dog, Echo. She was a total water baby…
William waiting his turn for the jet ski...and striking a pose for the camera =)
William waiting his turn for the jet ski…and striking a pose for the camera =)
Henry after his first ride...he was addicted!
Henry after his first ride…he was addicted!
Switching riders...
Switching riders…
Echo wanted to ride too. Hahaha!
Echo wanted to ride too. Hahaha!
She ended up in the front sitting on Will...
She ended up in the front sitting on Henry…
Tommy's turn to take a spin...
Tommy’s turn to take a spin…
Burt and Will chilling on the inner tube.
Burt and Will chilling on the inner tube.
The kids were pooped and crashed on the bunk beds which they loved!
The kids were pooped and crashed on the bunk beds which they loved!

Montana'15

The next morning. Back out in the water!
The next morning. Back out in the water!
Going fast on the floater! So fun!
Getting ready to be hauled! So fun!
Flying!
Flying!
They would do this all day if they could...
They would do this all day if they could…
The weather turning cold...view from the cabin deck. So awesome.
The weather turning cold…view from the cabin deck. So awesome.
Side deck
Side deck
View of the little guest house we stayed in...
View of the little guest house we stayed in…
View of backyard...complete with outhouse. Awesome.
View of backyard…complete with outhouse. Awesome.
View of cabin from periphery of property.
View of cabin from periphery of property.
View from dock...
View from dock…
Gazebo that Burt built. Such a cool place!
Gazebo that Burt built. Such a cool place!
Crashing on the ride home...
Crashing on the ride home…
Catching flies...haha!
Catching flies…haha!