Camping in Wrightwood

Oddly enough, we had a free weekend and took advantage of it by packing the car and heading to the mountains for a weekend of camping. We weren't able to get out at all last summer, so we didn't want another summer to pass without camping. Plus, this was Landon's first time camping and he had an absolute blast. Trying to contain that child is another story. He was running all over the place having the time of his life. That included trying to put everything in his mouth, including pine cones.

We camped at Table Mountain which is right near the ski resorts in Wrightwood, about an hour from home. The campground was nice and there weren't alot of people there when we got there, but most of the great sites were taken. People obviously have their favorites! We found a nice site and set up camp. Todd tried a new dutch oven recipe of chicken and rice which actually turned out pretty great. We hung out after eating, playing with the kids and then it was time for smores. Both kids loved smores like any kid would.

The night actually we very well. Landon slept the whole night without so much as a wimper but he was up early and ready to go. We made dutch oven cinnamon roles for breakfast and chilled for a bit before breaking camp. After we broke camp, we headed over to the Grassy Hollows visitor center which was nice. Skye got to learn all about the different animals (including bears) in the Angeles National Forest. Landon liked it too, but he was kinda ticked that he couldn't touch everything in sight! After the visitor's center, we stopped by Jackson Lake to walk around. It is more of a pond, but Skye and I took a walk while Landon and mom slept in the car.

Overall a great weekend. Our next trip to Hume Lake is planned in early September for a few days. Looking forward to that one.

Boy Scout High Adventure - San Diego

I am back after spending a week beach camping with my scouts in San Diego. We camped for a week at San Elijo State Beach and the kids had a blast. We visited the USS Midway Museum, Pacific Beach, Solana Beach, and La Jolla. We also spent half a day sportfishing in the kelp beds off of Point Loma. We didn't catch alot of fish, but it sure was a blast to be out there with the boys as they tried their hardest. Tyler had a small baracuda on the line and he was reeling it in. As he was about to pull it out of the water, a sea lion came up from underneath and swiped the fish right off the line. We all had a good laugh.....including Tyler. included are some pictures of the trip.

Weight Watchers Contest

Yep, I entered a weight watchers contest, mostly because we want a free trip to New York in September. Here is the essay I wrote and a before and after pic. I think you can tell which pic is which.

Ever since I can remember, I have struggled with setting lofty goals and then doing whatever it takes to achieve them. This was never more evident than in my weight loss struggle over the last 10 years.

I found myself putting on the pounds during college after becoming engrossed in my studies and giving up my gym membership. Coupled with terrible eating habits, lack of exercise and a generally lazy attitude toward being healthy, I found myself continually buying bigger and bigger clothes. Upon entering the workforce, I officially became the poster boy of a sedentary lifestyle, sitting at a computer (and eating) all day. After seeing some photos of myself following a family function to celebrate the adoption of my second child, I decided that something had to be done. I looked unhealthy, I felt unhealthy and I was determined to do something about it.

Once I got started and began seeing results on the scale, I became more and more determined to be successful with this goal, no matter what. I put weight loss at the top of my list of priorities. As the pounds continued to come off, I surprised even myself at my determination and began to be proud of myself for sticking with my goal. When it became hard, and it did many times, I would tell myself that if this journey were going to be easy, there would not be an abundance of people who struggle with weight loss.

A major key to my success was consistent exercise. When I started losing weight, I decided to dust off the treadmill that I had used sporadically over the previous year and put it to use. I put a TV on the wall, strapped an ipod to my arm, and started slowly. I gradually built up to 4 miles a day, 5 times a week, which is my current workout regimen. I found that I enjoyed my time on the treadmill and have looked forward to my 1 hour of solace each day.

Coming back to Weight Watchers has been the best thing I have done for myself in my life. I have more energy, I sleep better, I look better, I buy clothes that I like, and my wife enjoys being able to put her arms all the way around me again. What more could a guy want?

Father's Day

It was a great father's day today. Skye and Stacy got up and made waffles with whipped cream and berries for breakfast. Went to church, came home and took a nap (a looooong nap), made my favorite dinner of beef stroganoff and corn on the cob and finished up with homemade ice cream. I got a new work shirt and some new colgne, which was a nice gift. Hope everyone had a great Father's Day.

Picking Cherries in Leona Valley

Stacy and the kids went to pick cherries today at a cherry orchard close by here in Leona Valley with their playgroup. The kids had a blast running all over the place. Skye's friend is Camryn from church.

Club Libby Lu

If you have a little girl, I guarantee you that she knows what Club Libby Lu is. If you don't know, it is a place in the mall where little girls can go (and I suppose big girls that haven't quite gotten out of the Hannah Montana stage of life yet) to get a "Hannah Montana" makeover. They give you the heatset microphone getup and everything. Skye got up there and broke it down after her makeover was done.....in front of all the people walking by in the mall. She is quite the little dancer! Enjoy the pics

crazy Landon

Landon likes to climb in and on anything in his path. His latest place to hang out is in Skye's doll highchair. We caught him chillin' in there this week waiting for someone to bring him some grub!!!