Fit n' Firm Friday: Goblet squat

The Goblet Squat

(make sure you say that with a British accent.) 

WHAT YOU NEED: One medium to heavy dumbbell aka... your goblet.

1. Start with your feet a little more than shoulder width apart and hold the dumbbell at one end with both hands. Make sure you smile.



2. Bend your knees and squat down. Align your knees with your toes. Keep your knees from going past your toes to prevent strain. You can have your toes facing forward, or angled outward. I prefer slightly angled outward. Make sure you keep your backs straight and upright throughout the whole movement. Don't let your upper body lean super far foward-try to sit back in the squat. Stop when your elbows get to your knees.

*If it is too hard to touch your elbows to your knees, look below for the modified goblet squat.



To finish the goblet squat, you will stand back up to your starting position. Make sure you are squeezing your glutes and using them throughout the entire squat (especially on the way back up).

I recommend: 10-12 repititions 2-3 sets.

Side view of the modified goblet squat. So, this is what it would look like if you need to modify the squat to be a little bit easier. Go halfway down and return back  up. Otherwise, I want you to go down so your elbows touch your knees! Be smart, but push yourself! : )

I love the goblet squat for its intense concentration on the lower body. Including the goblet squat in your routine will help strengthen your bum and your legs BIG time! So, give 'em a try and tell me what you think!

Circus children

This video is a couple months old from when we went to visit my parents. But, I finally figured out how to upload videos. Don't worry, I am done with videos for a while. Anyway...I am seriously amused by this video and want to share for all who know and love my boys.

 Don't know why exactly I love this video... perhaps because I can imagine them in the circus....such talent... such speed and agility packaged in such tiny bodies. I love them. : )

Ninja brother

I was trying to catch video of our newly walking sweetie pie, when big brother Cole decided he wanted to display some of his ninja skills. She was already grumpy if you can tell... so this didn't make it better. My first instinct was...whaaaaat???? Did he just do that? Don't worry, I immediately checked to make sure she was ok, scolded him, and then had to turn around to giggle because I got it on camera. Mackenzie... you are going to be one tough cookie! : )

Pink Lemonade

Here's a few pictures from Mackenzie's 1st Birthday party!! It was a pink lemonade theme : )

I love her squishy little body!

She didn't really get what she was supposed to do with the cake at first. I think she was intimidated by the big circle of everyone standing around her watching her. : ) Once she figured out that sugar was in that cake, she knew what to do. I love this picture of her because I can totally imagine her saying "GET ME MIIILK!!!"

Here she is after a bath, my niece had a super cute pink lemonade outfit that my sis in law let me borrow for the party. It was perfect!

Annnnd I'm sure you can guess what all of the older kids were playing in during the party.... We have a nice quantity of dirt in our backyard.

Mackenzie and her cousin Renee. Renee is just four days older than Mackenzie. : ) BFF's

Our little neighbor girl LOVES babies, so she was in HEAVEN with 4 babies to play with at the party.

Some of the kids playing at the beginning of the party.

The big boys wanted to play some dodgeball : )

It has been a beautiful year with you sweet Mackenzie!! It has gone way too fast! We LOVE you!!!

Fit n' Firm Friday: Sliding Mountain Climbers

SLIDING MOUNTAIN CLIMBERS

WHAT YOU NEED: old washcloths, old tshirt cut up, or anything you can find that will help you slide on whatever surface you will be doing the exercise on. I used two old baby washcloths on our laminate floor.

Start in plank position with your feet on separate cloths. Make sure you try to keep your hands under your shoulders and your bum down.

*For a more advanced core workout, you can place your hands farther foward. The farther your hands are away from your shoulders, the more your abs and back are going to have to work to support you.

Bring one knee forward towards your hands.

 Next, quickly push that foot back while bringing the opposite knee foward at the same time. Make sure you keep your knees aligned with your hips and shoulders.



Keep alternating legs quickly for 30-45 seconds. Rest for 15 seconds. Repeat 4-5 times.

I LOVE this exercise. Mountain climbers are awesome because they work your WHOLE body. When done properly, mountain climbers (and thus sliding mountain climbers as well) would be considered a cardio and a strength training exercise. I discovered these sliding mountain climbers the other day from my go-to workout book that I talked about here. These are as easy or as hard as you make them. The faster you move your legs, the harder the workout. The harder the workout, the faster the results!  So, not only is this exercise fabulous and efficient, it is fun too! Who doesn't like to slide? : )

Try these! You'll love 'em and you'll be one step closer to being Fit n' Firm! : )

Fit n' Firm

If any of you have wondered why I haven't posted my fitness recaps lately, let me explain. I am so stinkin' old fashioned and I just can't shake it. I just prefer writing on paper. So, I have been logging my exercise in my planner. I got a planner from wally world a few months ago that has empty monthly calendars where I record all of our schedules, plans, and events. Then, after each month, there are empty weekly calendars that I have been using to log all of my workouts.  I just record my workouts better with my planner. For me, it is just easier than getting on the computer to do it. So, unless anyone is desperate to know my weekly workouts, I am not going to post them online anymore. I am sure a tear just rolled down your cheek. ; )
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image from here

Onto bigger and better things. Literally.

Coming up with your exercise routine can be tough. Especially if you are new to exercise or don't know what to do and where to start. Or just maybe you need to refresh your current routine. In an effort to help those who might be in need of new exercises to mix into their workout, I am planning on posting one spotlight exercise a week. I will post how-to pictures and a written description for each exercise. I am excited to share some of my favorites! Join me on my new Fit n' Firm Fridays!

365+

Our beautiful Mackenzie Leigh turned 1 year old on August 21!

We are having her birthday party on Friday night so to not be partying on a school night (since we now have a wee one in school!!!).

Ryan is the cutest dad. The other day, he went to walmart to look for a tree-stand for hunting. He couldn't find one and instead bought 30$ worth of clothes for the kids! The store was having a crazy summer sale just for a certain amount of time, 50% off of all items already on sale. So he took advantage of it! I thought it was so sweet that he bought her those cute dora pajamas and a MSU cheerleading outfit!! : )

Me and the birthday girl at bedtime
We sure love this little chunk!!! : )

Date night

Since Ryan was going out of town for a few days, we decided to do a date night. We went out to dinner at one of my favorite places to eat- our small town diner/cafe. After our yummy food, we then went on a walk at his grandma's property. She has over 1000 acres, so he took me on a walk that he has walked so many times throughout his life. We started at his grandma's house and did a big loop around some of the property.

I love my male model.

we walked all the way to those hills in the distance and then went right



1. I am not sure if that shirt is socially acceptable, but... my mom gave it to me, so I wear it.
2. I love how my awkwardness is tangible in this picture.

part of the river that runs through the property



The drought has left the land SO incredibly dry.



We walked till it was dark out. I don't have good night vision because of my astigmatism, so I started to get nervous when I would hear dogs barking, turkeys flapping in the trees (I thought they couldn't fly?) and cows mooing like they were birthing a car. Thankfully, Ryan could see, knew where he was going, and wasn't scared. It was one of my favorite dates ever! It was awesome to just be together, to talk, to be out in nature, and to hold hands the WHOLE time! Thanks babe for a memorable night!

iphone Bowling pics

I don't think I've seen anything cuter than a 5 year old in bowling shoes. : )

dream a little dream

With the Olympics just ending, I am dreaming big again! I just love seeing the incredible physical ability of all of the Olympians! I have to admit that I have always wanted to be a successful professional athlete- of any kind really. Well, not table tennis. Anyway, at one point, my mom was our summer softball coach to me and my three sisters. Before our games, she would always say this quote by Henry Ford, "Either you think you can, or you think you can't. Either way, you are right." I totally believe in what that quote is saying. You can do anything if you set your mind to it. Dream big. Cause what is wrong with dreaming big?! Someone has to be the one to win or to succeed at something, so why not you?! Why not YOU!? I am lucky to have parents that have always believed in their children (and anyone else really) and more important, taught us to believe in ourselves. Thus, I have always been and always will be a dreamer. I don't dream of fame or fortune associated with being an Olympian, but I dream of pushing and challenging myself to fulfill my athletic potential. To be the best I can be.  Lately, I have been dreaming of being a successful runner. I never ran track or cross country, but I have always loved running. It has been my favorite part of all of the sports I have done in the past. I always loved stealing bases in softball, and sprinting to get to a ball before the other team got it (in field hockey).I loved when we had to do sprints after softball practice, or do suicide drills, or run 2 miles before we would scrimmage for field hockey. I eventually got into running as a hobby and for fitness after I graduated from high school- and I've been in love ever since. So now, I find myself thinking... I am still young! And how cool would it be to be a professional and elite athete!? On top of that, how cool would it be to be an Olympic runner while not have an incredible running background AND be a stay-at-home mother of 3 kids!? To be a marathon momma! As I was reading Kara Goucher's book called "Running for Women," I was so envious of her day: running, eating, napping, being with family, eating, training, being with family, go to bed, repeat. That sounds like HEAVEN to me.

With that being said, I have ALWAYS dreamed of being a wife and mother. Those will always be my number one priorities. I feel SO blessed and SO thankful to be able to be a wife and mother. That is what this life is truly about. I feel so much joy when I ponder about the blessings of being married in the temple and being together as a family forever. I feel so much gratitude to see that my hard work at home with the kids is making a difference in their lives. I know not every woman can stay home, it just cannot be so sometimes. And that is totally fine! But for me, I feel it is where I am supposed to be for my kids. So, as I get to live this wonderful real-life dream come true with my three beautiful babies and my hunk of a husband, I will just continue to work hard towards my dream of my professional running career. I honestly believe I can do anything I want if I work hard and pray. So, I'll keep dreaming, running, training, racing, living life, and most likely fulfill that athletic dream at the St. George Senior Olympics in a few years. ; )

**A few weeks ago, Ryan's fun cousin Terriann did an Olympic party for some of the little ones. It was so much fun! They did running, jumping on the trampoline, balancing while walking on the raised wooden garden bed, flipping on the rings to the playground, gymnastics on a mat, and swimming in the pool. We had olympic themed treats and she even gave out old basketball medals for prizes! The kids had a blast. When it was Tucker's turn to do something fun while holding on to the rings, he got so frustrated with himself that he couldn't flip like his cousin Wes could. I don't know if everyone else could tell, but I could tell. He got so down on himself. I was so sad inside! I whispered to him, "Tucker, you can do ANYTHING you want. Anything. You just believe in yourself and you can do it." I actually had a hard time not crying. He said he was dumb just because he couldn't flip. It was his first time even trying to do that and he felt like a failure because he couldn't do it! I couldn't believe it! Where did he get this negativity from? So...after I told him he can do anything he wants, I helped him do a flip, and he was so happy. Such a little but powerful moment. It just opened my eyes to try even harder to teach my kids that they have such great potential and that they can do anything! I don't want them to be prideful and think they are the cat's meow, but just to believe in themselves. With hard work, faith, and help from God, you can move mountains! So all you dreamers, just remember, "I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me." Philippians 4:13

Thanks Rachelle (Terriann's sister and so another of my husband's cousins) for taking fabulous pictures! I stole some of these off of facebook!- Always and Forever Photography by Rachelle Bolton

"Don’t limit yourself and don’t let others convince you that you are limited in what you can do. Believe in yourself and then live so as to reach your possibilities. You can achieve what you believe you can. Trust and believe and have faith." -Pres. Thomas S. Monson

First day blues

So this is what it looked like when Tucker explained that he wants me to go to work so he can stay for the after-school program for kids and I told him no. : )

 And then this happened when Cole told Tucker about a minute later that he got candy from Aunt Melissa at the gym that day.

All I can say is that he was EXHAUSTED after his first day of school, but he was in HEAVEN! Immediately after I took these pictures, he remembered he didn't finish his lunch, and that in his lunchbox, I had put 3 hershey's kisses to give him some "kisses" at school. : ) He dug them out and was pretty happy after that.

And today.... on his second day of school ever... first thing after he got himself dressed, he put on his bookbag. Couldn't get him to take it off for breakfast. But I drew the line when he needed to go to the bathroom. You can bet that thing came right off!

He is still loving being in school and we are still missing him while he's gone!