How things have changed since I blogged last. (Ryan was 10 and Sydney was 7. Sad, I know.)
Ryan (15): Over the Christmas break he had a surprise birthday party for one of his friends at our house. He invited a number of young men and young women over for the surprise party. However only young women showed up. Girl after girl showed up. He finally came up stairs when there were 5 young women in the basement. He looked at me and said, "I invited guys too, but I guess they aren't coming." Tough life. Ryan's got a great group of friends and is really becoming a social butterfly. He's also driving now. He's a pretty good driver, but he still scares me most of the time.
Syd's (12): life mostly revolves around Soccer and Baking (cupcakes are her favorite). She's about an inch taller than Deni now too. Syd is a beehive, so most mutual nights are quiet around here without Ryan and Syd.
About a week ago I finally decided that I needed to begin being more careful with my calorie intake. It turns out that you can't eat what you want AND look like you want. I don't like making new year's resolutions. Actually, when I've changed or tried to make health changes in years past, I typically have made them in in Oct/Nov, so my changes have become habit by the time New Year's comes around. That didn't happen this year.
By watching what I'm eating, I've learned a few things. First, I've probably been eating at least twice what I should in a day. Second, my wife is wise beyond her years. Over the years, she's tried to replace certains foods with healthier versions, however I resisted. Turns out, she was right. Wheat bread for White bread, Brown rice for White rice, ...and the list could go on forever.
For the past two days, Deni and I have driven to Mapleton to hike up to Whiting campground. Deni bought us Yaktrax last year but I didn't get much use out of them. Yaktrax are little booties that give you amazing traction when hiking or walking on snow or ice. Just pull them over your existing shoes and hike. It takes us about 1 hour round trip and is an amazing hike. Today it was breezy, which combined with the teen temperatures made for a cold hike. Two of my favorite people (pic taken on our hike today.)
Syd is growing up. Of course, she's trying to look taller than she is in this picture, but she's not too far off from me.
