Workout of the Week - POST Style

I know this isn't up to the standards of my beautiful wife, but she strongly encouraged my entry. POST (police offficer standards training) is going very well. We workout twice a week. Heather thought it would be fun for me to give a challenge. Here is one of 24 different workouts we do if you want to play along. Here is the routine completed in order: 25 air squats, 25 push ups, 25 sit ups, and run 1/2 mile. This gets repeated 4 times.

The rules are: it must be timed, when doing pushups the chest must touch the ground (no sagging the butt or sticking it up in the air), squats stand with your feet shoulder width apart squat down like you're sitting you're low enough when it feels like you are sitting on the toilet, for sit-ups fingers must be holding the ears and the elbows must touch the top of your knees, and running only means no walking.

Have fun and don't forget to smile. I will post another workout next week.

Quick Cheese Biscuits

Ann-Marie keeps calling me for this recipe that I made in Chicago that everyone loves. It is what I do when I don't have bread, rolls, french bread, etc. for a meal. They are crispy on the outside and soft on the inside. Really easy. So I am sharing it with anyone else who likes that combo (fast, easy, convienent):

1 c flour
2/3 c milk
1 1/4 tsp baking powder
1/2 tsp salt
1/2 c shreaded cheddar cheese (AM likes more)
2 Tbsp butter

Preheat 450 F. Combine flour, baking powder and salt. Stir in cheese. Cut in butter with pastry blender until corse crumbs form. Using a fork, stir milk into mixture until soft dough forms. Do not over mix. Drop dough in heaping spoonful one inch apart onto baking sheet. Bake until firm to touch - about 10-15 min. Makes 8 or so depending on spoonful size. Can double no problem.

Enjoy!

A Startling Realization

Fof brought her now famous compilation of "Grandma's Favorite Songs" CD for Lauren. Yesterday, I stuck it in on the way to work instead of my usual KSL news radio. Soon I was singing along to Raffi, Sesame Street and the Muppets without batting an eye. Baby was singing along too. She especially liked Ernie's "I Don't Want to Live on the Moon" so I've added it to her bedtime repertoire. I realized I am now officially a mom and may never know what's going on in the world again. Scary.

The Mystery of the Stairs

While visiting her new cousin Claire last weekend, Lauren surprised us all as she motored expertly up the stairs. Because we only have stairs that go down (and a gate), we couldn't figure out where she had learned to go up. The mystery was solved when Uncle Bart fessed up. Now he just needs to teach her to go down.

Basement - Phase 1

Jay doesn't have enough to do with the yard being frozen and spending all his nights and weekends home while he's in the Academy. We started out planning to frame in a closet in the office for his (gasp) gun, and it escalated into finishing the rest of our basement. It will be the main room, which we have planned to have a little media viewing area, food storage closet, small kitchen and island and a play area for Lauren and friends. We look forward to DAd getting here to help.

Jay is nearly done with the framing. I can't quite picture it yet, which Jay says is sad, because he can and "It's awesome." I'll post periodically so you can follow along with the progress.

Future toy area. We're going to frame a toybox/window seat on the right. When Lauren's older, it will be the air hockey table area.

Jay is going to fashion a built in cabinet for the TV in this recessed area of the wall. We saw the idea on This Old House, so how hard can it be?

Drawn plan for built-in. I couldn't visualize it, so Jay drew it.

We're going to use this island piece we fortunately got from Stone Source (thanks!) and have been keeping.
Jay had to frame the whole ceiling and a little area over where the kitchen sink will be. The closet on the end will be for food storage and have heavy duty shelves Jay will build custom.

Jay's First Day of Academy

Jay returned to "school" today and I was the proud wife. I sent him with a packed lunch and made sure his uniform was pressed. I even made him pose for his "first day" photo. You be the judge of how enthusiastic he was about taking this picture at 6 a.m.

Welcome Claire Michelle

My sister Nuie welcomed a little friend for Lauren - Claire Michelle (with Grandma Fof). She looks so huge next to Claire! I can't believe she was ever that small.

I think my hand is bigger than her head and torso!

At the hospital. We are so glad she arrived safe and sound. Now, grow up so you and Lauren can play!

Barnum Visit

Jay's brother, Geoff, and wife Becky (and two daughters), were in Idaho for Christmas from their home in Ohio where he is going to dental school. They decided to come down for a few days and see us and Jay's sister Heather, who drove up from St. George with her two boys. Jay mostly worked, but enjoyed a couple of evenings with them. Lauren played well with her cousins and always wanted to be where they were. It was a nice visit.

Lauren and Grandpa Barnum who drove down for a couple of hours on Saturday.

All the Barnum cousins - Brock, Addelyn, Garrett, Lauren and Macie

Lauren's Laugh

So am I getting excessive with these posts about Lauren's cuteness? I don't care. It's my blog. And she's so cute.

Here's a video of her laughing with her friend Jack. You have to listen from the very beginning to really hear it.