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Honestly, this is mostly for myself! So next year or next time I can bring up the post and pack my bag. I looked up many a packing list for my three night, all-women’s trip into the Collegiate Wilderness. I added specific brands for items I was particularly impressed with! And I won’t say this...
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Since the moment our kids could hike on their own two feet, we’ve been searching for the right kid pack. And we’ve had mixed success. But at least I can say we’ve tried a ton of backpacks…and I now know exactly what we want in one. As part of our Backpacking Project 2013, we are...
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Footwear for kids is tricky… Do you go with a stiff sole or soft? How about traction? And if I finally settle on a pair of shoes, will I have to buy new ones in three months because they’ve already grown out of them?! We’ve put most of the major outdoor brands through the paces...
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This last weekend we were side-lined by a small running injury so we decided to kick around close to home. Which led to a whole host of new adventures up near Rockport Reservoir and the High Uintas. But we also frequented one of our favorite Salt Lake hikes perfect for kids, Bell Canyon Reservoir. Not...
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The #1 gear item on our list for this summer’s Backpacking Project 2013 was kid’s backpacks. Now I don’t expect them to carry much…but I NEED them to carry something! But in my opinion kid’s packs are tricky. Most are designed for school, for obvious reasons. But we needed and wanted something with a little...
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Weather, snow pack, and location permitting, we are headed on the first of our family backpacking trips this weekend! And so, my posts have been less frequent because I am spending most my brain energy on packing lists. I figured I’d share my list and a few a guidelines in choosing our gear/clothing for the...
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This last week we embarked on our first backpacking trip as a family, and our first trip into Willow Heights Lake in the Wasatch. Really it could not have been more perfect and our trip report is coming soon. But for now I wanted to share a glimpse into our time on the trails through...
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I really don’t have any idea how to approach this post. Every person requires a different amount of food. Quantity also depends greatly on age of kids and gender! So what I am going to do is add in a bunch of qualifiers. First, we went with another family of four and there was much...
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Every once and awhile I have some romantic, glorious idea…albeit ambitious. And last winter, when the snow swirled deep, I was dreaming of sunshine and wild flowers and high mountain lakes. I got it in my head to try taking my kid’s backpacking…not a long distance, but far enough to feel like we were getting...
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Gosh, when looking for a tent, where do you start?! Honestly, when we first had kids I wished we had started here. I never really considered Kelty as my brand of choice when tent shopping but I have been more than pleasantly surprised! We sort of figured we only use it backpacking when the kids...
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I have several backpacking pet peeves. Bad (or not enough) food, bad sleep. They can take what would be the most amazing experience and make it unenjoyable. The first time I saw an ENO hammock was about ten years ago on a group camping trip. One of the guys pulls out this hammock that is stuffed...
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After an inspiring all-women’s backpacking trip in Colorado last year, I was motivated to plan my first trip out here in Utah. After much debating on location, I settled on The Notch Trail, High Uintas because it was super scenic and pretty tame in terms of trail difficulty. We had a few “first -timers” and...
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Duration: A total of 5 nights and 7 days on the trail so far. Location: Testing in the Wasatch and Uinta Ranges Best Uses: Backpacking, Multi-day trips for those looking to go “light weight” or even climbing day trips where a larger pack would be needed. Yays! Size is great. I could easily fit a...
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As a family, we’ve tried out a ton of different sleeping bags over the years. And for the vast amount of families, you cannot go wrong. Well…too wrong. Most sleeping bags on the market will keep your kids warm in moderate to warm temperatures. But there are significant differences that can affect a good night’s...
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Recently I had the opportunity to try out the Deuter ACT Zero 50 + 15. (Wow, that name is a mouthful). It is a somewhat minimalist 50-65 liter pack from Deuter. I was really intrigued to try it out since it weighs in at a scant 3lb 4oz and has the same spec’d volume as...
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I do some “risky” things. Climbing. Backpacking. Some might even say skiing. But not that risky. I am that person who sits down after a fun multi-pitch 5.7/5.8 trad climb (for you non-climbers, 5.7 is easy) to read Climbing Magazine or Backpacker Magazine. I like absorbing other people treacherous tales and the lessons they’ve learned...
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As we walked through preparing for our first family backpacking trip I noticed something: there are a ton of articles on backpacking with kids in their teens. Even a few with middle schoolers. But I found only a couple posts on backpacking with young kids… seeing as our kids are ages six, five, and three, I just...
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Last month I received a copy of “Tell It On The Mountain”, a walking documentary of life on the Pacific Crest Trail (PCT). The PCT is 2,663 miles long and extends from the U.S. border with Mexico to the U.S. border with Canada near British Columbia. This movie documents the lives of a dozen or...
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In the fall/winter our choice of footwear for the kids becomes less…forgiving. The low-top hiking shoes and sneakers we usually grab are not quite suitable for our messy, muddy, and snowy adventures. Our first experience with this was last winter when we took the kids snowshoeing for the first time. Well…we strapped that snowshoe onto...
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Finding a good seat in the backcountry can be hard. (Pun intended.) I’ve tried sitting on 3 legged stools, the ‘convert a therm-a-rest to a chair’ thingamabops and have generally settled on using a tree. None of them are very comfortable. When Alyssa said we were going to be testing the Joey Chair by Travel...
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As a family we haven’t been much into trekking poles. But this last winter my husband invested in a pair and has loved having them, especially when there is tricky footing and he has a kid on his back. So we began wondering how poles would work for our kids. And so far, especially on...
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A good kid carrier is a must-have for any outdoor family. And having one that suits your needs might not be as straight forward as you think. So we jumped on the chance to review the new Deuter Comfort Air. Deuter Kid Comfort Air Tested in: Hiking, snowshoeing with 35 lbs toddler. Cost: $239.00 Availability: Exclusively...
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A Kid Project reader recently asked: How do you make your toddlers stay in their sleeping bags? My 21-month-old rolls all over the crib and she hates to wear any sleeping bag that covers her feet. She wears a Halo sleepsack at home but it won’t be warm enough for camping. Any suggestions? Ahhh! The...
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As our kids get older, we have gotten bolder. Our adventures have migrated from family car camping to multiple backpacking trips a summer. But always the gear… sleeping bags that are heavy and bulky. So we jumped at the opportunity to try out backcountry quilts by Enlightened Equipment. And I must say, we’ve been won...
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It is about that time of year again, when we gather our wits, a whole bunch of gear… and head into the Colorado backcountry in search of summits. This is my third year joining one of my favorite groups of ladies on a backpacking adventure and my mom joined me this year! Not many girls...
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Sometimes I feel conflicted posting about my all-women’s trips on the Kid Project blog… After all they have nothing to do with kids. But they do have everything to do with inspiring people to get into the outdoors, push new limits, and explore new places… which is what we are all about here. And even mom...
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I’ve never regretted taking our kids into the backcountry. We’ve taken small steps in that direction, biting off only what we are comfortable with. But after a few summers of backpacking with the kids, the only thing I’ve regretted was not doing it sooner! I’d like to call the Uintas, “the land of lakes.” It...
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Wilderness education has been something on my mind lately. My husband and I have recently taken up backcountry skiing, and safety is our primary goal, especially as parents. And so our winter has been and is full of Avalanche training, practice, and education. Today, I’d like to introduce Logan Randolph, mountain guide and ski patroller,...
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I love it when our readers contacts us for more information! That is what we are about here! Sharing information, having conversation, making adventures possible simply by creating more ideas for HOW to make it happen! Recently my friend Amelia from Tales of a Mountain Mama and I got to field some questions regarding backpacking...
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I love it when our readers contacts us for more information! That is what we are about here! Sharing information, having conversation, making adventures possible simply by creating more ideas for HOW to make it happen! Recently my friend Amelia from Tales of a Mountain Mama and I got to field some questions regarding backpacking...
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What is it that drives you out in to the mountains, on to the water, or in to the storm? This is a question that I ask myself a lot. And my answers are usually different depending on the day. But this day, in July, my reason to load on a 40+ lbs. backpack and...
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I get it. You saw this glorious photo of your friends and their young kids scampering down the trail, crossing some high alpine meadow, and you are thinking, “Wow, that looks amazing! I wish we did stuff like that.” The truth is you can, anyone can. Hiking with kids doesn’t require super-mad-outdoor skills or awesome...
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I get asked quite frequently if hiking longer distances flies right out the door when you become a parent, along with most your money, good sleep, and sick days. The truth is yes, and no. At first, your new infant is easily packable. The only limits are how far and how much weight you want...
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The Sawtooth Mountain Range lies in central Idaho, not far (approx. 45 minutes) from Sun Valley, Idaho. It is a jagged and rough mountain range, dotted with deep and clear lakes, abundant wildflowers and towering summits. The Sawtooths are also decently accessible and super family friendly both for backpacking and car camping. Though I’d certainly suggest...
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The sun is nearing the horizon and the sky has lightened to a pale blue. The mountains hold mist in their laps as they wait for the heat of day. The bright moon that spent the night hanging next to Bugaboo Spire has moved on and the glacier sits below, a silent sentinel slowly creeping down the...
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We have backpacked for many seasons now with our kids. And after successfully mastering our packing for summer trips, this winter we decided to embark on our first backcountry trip with the kids. Not wanting to winter camp in a tent (been there, done that), we reserved a yurt in the Lily Lake Yurt System...
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Every year for the last 3 years, I’ve wanted to take my kids on a backcountry yurt trip. And every year the reservation period flies by and soon there are no nights left available. This year I was still late to the party, BUT I did get the last 2 nights available for the Bear...
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If you are part of our Facebook community, then you know that a few weeks ago, we started our all new Kid Project Tip Series! This is the second tip in a series of new tip videos shared every week on our Facebook and YouTube channels! Since it is super easy to miss things via...
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We’ve made the short trek up to Alta the last couple weekends to take the kids skiing. It has been a blast and there were lots of other parents joining us on the endeavor with their kids. All ages, all sizes. Some parents cheered us on, mentioning how they didn’t start their kids till they...
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Many of us have kids that are just starting to learn to ski this season. And while learning to ski is full of all sorts of challenges, none more so than transportation back UP the hill with our kids. Lifts and rope tows are equally challenging. Magic carpets are perhaps the most user-friendly. But if...
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I grew up skiing Winter Park Resort every weekend and hearing everyone rave about the beginner terrain. Not being a beginner or an instructor, this meant nothing to me. And the whole beginner terrain thing meant “boring!” Until this season. Well, now we live in Utah, far from Winter Park land and so we began...
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To me, Winter Park/Mary Jane, CO will always be a mogul skier’s dream. But now that I have three tiny tots, two of which are skiing, I have realized it is a kids dream as well! I practically grew up on the tree trails, runs, and lifts of Winter Park. I remember skiing up to...
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We are expanding and updating one of our favorite series! Our goal? We hope to have one of the most comprehensive ski series for parents wanting to teach their young kids to kids. While ski school for our younger kids might be the best/easiest route, here is the truth: It is also the most expensive...
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Rent or Buy [updated Fall 2016] One thing is obvious, before you can teach your kids to ski, they need equipment. And for many parents, they hit this obstacle and never move past it! The word hassle comes to mind. Where do we find skis? What size? And most importantly, “How much is this costing...
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Dry Land Training 🙂 This is the term for ski training not on snow…on dry land. It refers to all sorts of things – but usually ski specific conditioning and strengthening. Well, young kids need a conditioning all of their own. Whether you rent the night before or have your equipment all season here are some steps to take...
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I figured another ski post was in order to celebrate the opening of nearly every ski resort in the west this weekend! Today we are going to talk about that first day on the snow with your kids. I don’t think it is a coincidence that one of my most famous posts is “Swallowing Our...
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For those just embarking on the “teaching your kid’s to ski yourself” adventure, you may forget to put some thought into what your kid is wearing. Or yourself for that matter. But a cold kid puts an end to that long awaited ski day. A sweaty parent can be more than a trifle annoying. The...
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Welcome to our Ski Schooling Series! If you missed our other post on dressing for skiing, start here: 10 Tips for dressing yourself and your little one. Otherwise, I am going to cover some classic scenarios in terms of weather and skier ability. So keep reading for more specific brand suggestions. Please post any questions...
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Each kid is different. Hense each skier is different and what works with one, might not with another. Well, today we are talking all about using a ski harness when skiing with your little ones. If you’d like to see a previous review of the Lucky Bum ski harness, you can find it here: Ski...
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What is an Edgie Wedgie and what does it do? The Edgie Wedgie (or ski tip connector), is simply a rubber tube with clips on each end that keep your child’s ski tips together. The reason? Keeping the ski tips together aids in teaching a wedge, essential in stopping. A secondary use is for those young...
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I dreamt of wintry sunshine dancing through the aspen groves last night. Of powder pillows under my skis. The soft whoomp of snow falling from trees and spiraling flakes that move higher and higher in the breeze. The sun broke through the blinds this morning. And it was time to go. My heart yearned for...
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I’ve asked my favorite group of #OutdoorFamily Bloggers for their favorite winter jackets and below are the results! This post is newly updated [as 2016/2017] and these are tried and tested, used, spilled on, washed, and (when applicable) passed on to siblings. These are the jackets that tag along on our adventures and we would...
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Last week we published a basic guide to kid jackets, collecting and publishing a handful of favorites from other outdoor enthusiasts. This is the follow up post, as today I am sharing #OutdoorFamilies favorite ski and snow pants. Updated as of Winter 2016/2017 Click on the photos below for a link to a more detailed...
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We’ve teamed up with Snowbasin Ski Resort as a part of their Powderoy Blogger Team for the 2013-2014 season. But before the chance of working together with Snowbasin was an option, we’d already decided to spend the bulk of our time there this season. Here are the reasons why Snowbasin is great for our family:...
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A good mitten is priceless to our ski family. We spend a lot of time outdoors in the winter. And the wrong gear can mean we are spending a lot of time fussing. Today we are reviewing the Stonz Mittz. Having trouble keeping your kid’s mittens on? Check out this post after reading our review! Q&A: How...
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Canyons Resort, Utah is Vail Corporation’s newest ski area and one of the nation’s five largest ski areas with a total of nine peaks and 4,000 skiable acres. As a parent, I am often scared off by the large resort thing. I want 1) simple, 2) straight forward, and 3) relaxed. Cause chances are my...
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If you’ve been around the blog with us, then you know we are more of a “teach our kids ourselves” sort of ski family. But this time we took a parent’s day off and entrust our ski-cuties to the Canyons Resort Ski School. We prepped our youngest (age 3) for her day in Canyon Cubs, a...
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Probably the question we get asked the most during the winter is, “How do you actually teach your kids to ski? I mean how to you physically help them on the hill?” Today we are going to attempt to answer this question or at least share a few ideas. There are so many good ways...
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One reader from Canada asked, “How do I keep mittens on my toddler who hates them?!” She said, “I tried natural consequences the other day and it was not working on my daughter. She was happily picking up sticks and rocks at the beginning and I thought maybe it was still not cold enough for...
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Every good adventure also needs boundaries. Something my kids aren’t necessarily fans of, but are quite used to. Below are our tips for ensuring a fun and safe day on the slopes as a family: 1. Set a meeting place. Families (or any large group) should set a meeting place in a centralized location just...
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Wilderness education has been something on my mind lately. My husband and I have recently taken up backcountry skiing, and safety is our primary goal, especially as parents. And so our winter has been and is full of Avalanche training, practice, and education. Today, I’d like to introduce Logan Randolph, mountain guide and ski patroller,...
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Note: Winter recreation in the back-country comes with inherent risk. Avalanche education and gear is a must. Visit the Utah Avalanche Center or your local center for more information. At the very least, watch this video and educate yourself about avalanche terrain, risks, and awareness: Know Before You Go All tours embarked on with our kids so far...
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We are eeking out of the bunny-hill years but honestly the most questions we receive regarding teaching kids to ski is about how and when to teach your young kids. We started all our kids when they were 2 years old, something I was comfortable with, having also been taught to ski when I was...
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Today I want to share some tips on fitting your kid for ski boots. Obviously, any one of us can drive down to the local ski shop and have a skilled salesperson do it for us. But if you are like us, and trying to get the family skiing on a dime, we rely heavily...
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Kids are constantly growing, and every year we find ourselves battling the “does the gear fit” problem! A few weeks ago we addressed how to fit your kid’s ski boots. We hope this helps you find good boots for your children, whether they are new, ski swap specials or hand-me-downs. But what about the skis?! Sizing...
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Last week we received the question: When should I introduce poles for my young skier. I will attempt to shed light on this tricky question! The truth is, there is no magic-bullet answer. So much of this decision depends on child’s ski technique, ability to multi-task, handle added responsibility, and also their desire. Don’t fall...
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The day dawned dark and blustery. They issued a winter storm warning. High winds, thunderstorms, heavy snows starting at lunch as the second part of the storm moves through. I thought for a minute that maybe we should cancel our ski day at Solitude Resort with my parents. But hey, what did we have to...
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Hi friends! I have been asked this question, How do I teach my child to turn on their skis?! And I have been procrastinating on my answer for far too long. Why? There is no easy answer to this! Sure, I can get into the technical terms for pressuring your skis to make a turn....
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Friends, if you have a child that wants to learn to ski or snowboard, January is the month to do it. All across the nation, resorts are offering amazing deals for Learn to Ski and Snowboard Month. While I believe you can teach your child to ski yourself if you have years of ski experience,...
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Hi friends! I have big news! Do you have children that you are currently or hoping in the future to teach to ski? Are you a family that is trying to figure out how to be outdoors in the winter? If so, then this is for you. Online Family Ski School httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fGproqE-47w&feature=youtu.be Kristen Lummis, from...
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If you are part of our Facebook community, then you know that a few weeks ago, we started our all new Kid Project Tip Series! We will be publishing new tip videos every week on our Facebook and Youtube channels! Since it is super easy to miss things via social media, I will be summarizing...
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If you are part of our Facebook community, then you know that a few weeks ago, we started our all new Kid Project Tip Series! We will be publishing new tip videos every week on our Facebook and YouTube channels! Since it is super easy to miss things via social media, I will be summarizing and sharing...
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If you’ve been around the blog for any length of time, then you’ve no doubt noticed we have partnered with Snowbasin Resort through the last couple seasons. We love skiing as a family at Snowbasin and want to share our tips for your visit to the resort. Snowbasin is a huge mountains with a total...
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I walked up the short flight of stairs and entered the small village at the base of Grand Targhee Resort. The air was crisp and cold, friends were huddled around the fires with an apré-ski beer, a couple of moms bounced infants snuggled deep in layers of down. One dad carried a passed-out toddler, goggles...
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Grand Targhee Resort is located on the flanks of the Teton Mountains, just west of Jackson, WY and East of Driggs, Idaho. A small, local mountain, this area is known for its epic powder (500+ inches of snow a year), amazing views, big terrain, but also its family friendly vibe. If you missed my trip...
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Hi friends! It has been a super long time. If you have been following along via Facebook or Instagram, then you know we finished our 6 month trip across the US with time in the big cities of Boston, New York and Washington DC. We are home now, and after about 6 weeks, I can...
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I totally agree with the adage, “humans were never meant to hibernate.” Often, we just need a little inspiration and a bunch of layers to get outdoors during the winter and have fun. This January is the 11th annual Learn To Ski and Snowboard Month. The goal? To get more kids, families and beginners out...
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Note: Winter recreation in the back-country comes with inherent risk. Avalanche education and gear is a must. Visit the Utah Avalanche Center or your local center for more information. At the very least, watch this video and educate yourself about avalanche terrain, risks, and awareness: Know Before You Go All tours embarked on with our kids so far...
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What Is Skimo? I found myself asking this question at the beginning of this fall: What is skimo? Skimo is a sport that includes skiing, uphill hiking, racing, and lots of endurance all in one. A wide definition is: Skimo stands for ski mountaineering, which is simply climbing and skiing mountains. Today, the modern sport of Skimo has...
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Looking for a ski/snowboard area close to a major airport, where you can fill your hours lapping run after run instead of waiting in lines? Then you should consider Bogus Basin, Idaho. Located a 45 minute drive from Boise, ID, Bogus Basin boasts 2,600 acres of skiable terrain, more than Sun Valley, Idaho, without forfeiting a...
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A few things you should know about me: I LOVE exploring new places. I plan at least one family trip to a place we have not skied before every season. During these explorations I am constantly on the lookout for that ideal location I could see us moving to one day. McCall, Idaho and Brundage...
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3,000 mile road trip from Colorado to Washington down the coast to California and back? I’m in, just disregard my giant belly housing my unborn son at 7mos. I’m generally up for an adventure, but this was charting new territory for me and despite the challenges, both foreseen and unforeseen we had a great trip....
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I wrote this post on my bike this morning. No, I am not super-woman. I did not have my laptop propped on the handle bars, typing away while simultaneously sweating away last weekend’s s’more. But I was spinning away at the gym, focusing too much on my legs that were screaming, “can we be done...
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Oh, the clothing I WISH I had had during my pregnancy and nursing days… I am about to share a hilarious photo with you. Hilarious in the I-don’t-want-any-one-to-see-this type of way. But I love you guys, so I will… I am 8 months pregnant, attempting to snowshoe in Winter Park, CO and it is a...
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Welcome to Expect[ing] to Thrive! If you’ve just joined us you don’t want to miss our very first post: An Invitation to Action, not Comparison and our very first GIVEAWAY from Mountain Mama! Today we have guest contributor Erica Lineberry sharing her story of pregnancy, climbing and the adventure of having a “cragbaby.” You won’t...
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Today I am excited to interview Shelly Rudd, fitness instructor, mom, runner, and an all around kick-in-the-butt for all of us who need one! She has been a fitness instructor for ten years. In addition to running, she enjoys doing pilates on the reformer, kickboxing, and weightlifting. Shelly, what drives you to remain active and...
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The balance bike phenomenon is gaining momentum, and it is hard to find a store that isn’t carrying at least some version of one for your toddler. But we are a bit biased around here, we love Strider Bikes…yes, better than any of the others. Maybe you are wondering, what does this have to do...
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Maybe you are enjoying this Saturday morning, watching the leaves change out your window. Today, our friend Tanya is taking the reins and sharing her fit pregnancy story. Let her inspire you to get out an enjoy the changing seasons! She loves hiking, camping, skiing, paddling, biking and all things mountain-related. Tanya is the author of...
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Hi friends! How is it going today? Have you ever come across a smiling face, in the midst of a rather hectic day, and felt like you could smile again too? Not only could smile, but wanted to smile? Teresa Delfin is one of those people for me. We met and chatted last year at...
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Do you have a case of the Mondays? Even though we had a long-ish weekend, it still went too fast. But we have an action packed day around here for you! We have a winner from our first giveaway, another giveaway starting today AND an awesome park/anywhere workout that will bless your socks off. Or...
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Today we welcome Amelia to our event! She has a unique story. An active, outdoor woman that was “sentenced” to bed rest, and fought her way back into shape. Amelia and her husband live with their two young boys at the gateway to Yellowstone. They love to bike, run, hike, ski and adventure all year...
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Anyone out there thinking, “All this fitness during pregnancy stuff is great…but what if I CAN’T. Can’t as in…bedrest.” We don’t want to ignore this incredibly difficult occurrence! For now, let’s welcome Lindsey from Outside Mom! During her first pregnancy she was “the poster child of an active pregnant woman.” She kept skiing, hiking, biking and...
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The Strider Balance Bike Giveaway came to an end last night and our winner is Susan Eubank! Thanks everyone! Don’t miss our other giveaways still going on: Monkey Mat’s lightweight play/park mat and Beco Baby Carriers! Today we are interviewing Amanda Tress from Fit Pregnancy and Parenting. She has been a personal trainer for eight...
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Well, we are wrapping up Expect[ing] to Thrive with one last post! And it is a good one! First, don’t miss the Beco Baby Carrier giveaway! It runs through the weekend! The winner of our Monkey Mat Giveaway is Jessica Cardwell! Congrats!! Today we are welcoming my good friend, fellow mom, climber and outdoor lover...
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I am still processing though the fact that I knocked off another huge “bucket list” item this last week. Two actually. 1. To run a half marathon. 2. To sit down with an entire bag of Oreos all to myself! Honestly, both were a little anti-climatic! How could they be? I’ve been working and running...
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Stomach jittery. Mind reeling. That is how I went into this weekend’s race at Echo Reservoir. It was my first Olympic triathlon (1500m swim, 40k bike, 10k run) and I had (unknowingly at the time) entered a race that had a large pool of elite athletes. For some reason that intimidated me. I was thankful...
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I sit on my bike, grinding out a full ten minutes right at my o2 threshold, jumping between the thoughts, “How did I get here!?” and “They are just legs!” (You can thank my cycle instructor for that last one, she yells it at us all-the-time.) But I know how I got here… ——————————————————————————— “I’ve...
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Hi friends. I had one of those nights. Those nights don’t happen all that often anymore. My youngest [age 4] had a diarrhea night. You know… accidents in bed, constantly up and to the potty. And as a result I found myself stumbling around the house in a haze for much of the midnight hours. And now...
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For a few months now I’ve been working on a new bio for my Instagram account. Talk about things that don’t matter… I mean, really! Truly, I agree with the general notion that this whole “social media” craze is a bit excessive, has serious downfalls, and might in the end be bad for humanity as...
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“You are never to old to set another goal or to dream a new dream. ” – C.S. Lewis I glance in the rear-view mirror, yes, my bike is still there. Is it wobbling more than normal? My paranoia runs rampant. Surely, just a few days before my first Ironman 70.3 some “game-ender” would...
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Down the last sandy hill, across a rocky wash and up to the ramp. I was almost there: 34.3 miles into a 34.4 mile race and about to finish my first Ultra. I hear my kids shout, “It’s mom!” I climb up the steep sandstone, hit the ramp and Abs, my 7-yr-old boy, says, Come on, mom,...
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Labor Day weekend. 5 minutes prior we pulled into the parking lot at the ‘Bread Loaves’ area in City of Rocks National Reserve. The kids were running everywhere, climbing the rocks, throwing the rocks, and generally gleeful to be out of the car. The moms and I made a collective sigh and huddled up to...
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Moab, UT. For me it is a little slice of heaven. Funny though…we went there many times during college and nearly every trip became epic in someway. Things just always seemed to go wrong – running out of water while backpacking, cold nights, injuries from biking… And yet we always go back and we always...
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Join us for our series called the Camping Chronicles, for more tips and information! There is a segment of the climbing [outdoor] population that sighs and rolls their eyes every time they see a family come around the corner. They are bitter when their peaceful silence is interrupted by a crying infant. Honestly, I think...
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This is the first post in our series Camping Chronicles, discussing all things camping with kids! Join us for more posts on topics such as packing, potty training, camper trailers, and good gear. Today we are attempting to answer the endless problem of how to sleep your babies in a tent AND keep them warm....
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Welcome to part two of “Keeping your kids warm” in our series, Camping Chronicles! Today I am simply the messenger. I called it a bloggers “mashup” cause well, we are mashing it up! Taking lots of ingredients, from lots of places and mixing it all up for ya. I asked my fellow outdoor mom’s what...
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Welcome to the third post in the Camping Chronicles. We’ve talked a whole lot about staying warm. Now we are switching gears entirely to potty training. I had to start this post off with this photo. Cause why not?! We all need a few more laughs when it comes to potty training. If you are...
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OK, you are right. There is no such thing as kids getting bored around camp. Usually. But when you have been camping for 5 days and still have a few more before you leave? Sometimes you need to change it up a bit. Not to mention those famously few camping trips where weather keeps you...
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This post is like my recyle bin. Useful little tidbits – that have no where else to go. It might feel a little all-over-the-place. And well…it is! No matter how prepared I think I am, I always forget something. We just hope it is a “cheap” something we can grab at the local store. Often,...
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We were three pitches up on Bastille Crack, in Eldo. I was doing my first ever hanging belay and I had to pee. This is embarrassing to admit. But I had to pee really bad. Bad enough I felt like vomiting [though I am sure 50% of my nausea was do to nerves.] See, for...
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It is 6 a.m. My coffee is keeping me company this morning. And you too! I am not a morning person. But my in-laws just hit the road back to Oregon and I find myself up and unable to go back to bed. And really there is no better time for this mom to write...
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Good morning everyone! I am sitting her, sipping away at my coffee, and typing away at the keyboard. To be honest I feel sort of frenzied this morning. But I am going to try to SLOW DOWN. I am joining outdoor bloggers from across North America today and sharing our favorite campgrounds. We all know...
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With the Fourth of July staring us in the face, I figured I would share some of our favorite camping items for family fun! These range in price and size but have each added tremendous value to our camping trips. 1. BugLit This little LED “buggy” looking light is my newest favorite piece of gear…for...
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As a family, we’ve tried out a ton of different sleeping bags over the years. And for the vast amount of families, you cannot go wrong. Well…too wrong. Most sleeping bags on the market will keep your kids warm in moderate to warm temperatures. But there are significant differences that can affect a good night’s...
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A Kid Project reader recently asked: How do you make your toddlers stay in their sleeping bags? My 21-month-old rolls all over the crib and she hates to wear any sleeping bag that covers her feet. She wears a Halo sleepsack at home but it won’t be warm enough for camping. Any suggestions? Ahhh! The...
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It is Sunday morning and despite being early March, it feels like April. Temperatures are encouraging us out the door and even though I am operating as a single parent for a few days, I am still meeting some good friends for a hike in Mill Creek Canyon. But I’ll be honest: I am tempted...
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As our kids get older, we have gotten bolder. Our adventures have migrated from family car camping to multiple backpacking trips a summer. But always the gear… sleeping bags that are heavy and bulky. So we jumped at the opportunity to try out backcountry quilts by Enlightened Equipment. And I must say, we’ve been won...
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Every once in a while we willingly and knowingly enter into a “bad idea.” Last weekend, we decided last minute to head to Capitol Reef National Park. Without camping reservations. On Memorial Weekend. Just a tad crazy. But we had an amazing weekend, didn’t have too hard a time finding camping, and learned a lot...
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Every year, March emerges like a butterfly from a chrysalis, and everyone (from Utah and beyond) starts dreaming of heading to southern Utah. And for good reason! Southern Utah is like the sweet taste of summer in March-May. Bluebird days in the mid-70s, a unique and wild landscape, and endless opportunity for adventure. Below are...
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We are often asked about what sleeping bags we prefer for our kids when camping or backpacking, and our experienced with the variety of brands on the market. So here are all my answers regarding synthetic bags. But first some broad spectrum tips regarding kids sleeping bags for outdoor adventures. Tips for purchasing a kid’s...
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If you are part of our Facebook community, then you know that a few weeks ago, we started our all new Kid Project Tip Series! This is the second tip in a series of new tip videos shared every week on our Facebook and YouTube channels! Since it is super easy to miss things via...
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As the end of our 8 weeks of travel came to an end, we found ourselves at a bit of a low. If you tagged along on our adventures last summer, then you read the post on leaving Oregon, with wildfire evacuations hot on our heels. We passed from Oregon into Idaho and the smoke did...
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The Eastern Sierra Mountains, stretching from Lake Tahoe in the north to Death Valley in the south, are some of the most magnificent adventure grounds I’ve ever seen. This May we took two weeks to explore the region, hike, camp and visit some of the amazing hot springs we’ve heard so much about. What we...
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When I became a mom, winter brought a whole host of worries. See, babies cannot really tell you when they are cold. They are also much more difficult to keep warm when outdoors, because unlike us, they aren’t skiing or snowshoeing or burning massive amounts of energy. Here is what works for us: JJ Cole...
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Maybe it is because so many of my friends have newborns (or will soon). Maybe it is because I just moved my youngest out of her crib and I realize how quickly I left the baby stage behind. And I know how much quicker I will forget everything I learned and experienced. But for all...
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It is with great trepidation that I share the photo below… because I look like crap! I just had a baby, a gruelling 60 hours of labor that resulted in a c-section. [No, I am not exaggerating.] Welcome to having a newborn! The night previous was our first night home. At 2 a.m., the baby...
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Today, we are addressing the awkward subject of breastfeeding and specifically how to do it in the outdoors. In case you are just joining us, this is the third post in a series all about newborns! We’ve already addressed those hard and sleepless first weeks. Truth: breastfeeding isn’t easy. When they first brought my baby...
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Yesterday we talked about breast feeding. So now we are moving from an awkward topic to a scary topic. Hmmm…. When I became a mom, I never knew that there was such a thing as “scheduling” your baby…or that it would be so controversial. I was told in the hospital [very firmly I might add]...
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Welcome back to the Newborn Chronicles as we discuss everything related to that short time when we have a newborn in the house. Today we are talking about our bodies. Let me start by saying this post isn’t just for moms. We’ve all done it – stared at the girl in front of us at...
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Yesterday we talked about our body image, today I am going to attempt to answer some of the questions asked by my readers. As in, how-do-I-physically-get-out-the-door-and-do-stuff-with-a-newborn? Especially if they aren’t my only child?! Well…you grab one baby up in your arms, one toddler by the hand, and you march out the door. With purpose and...
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Alright, this is risky. A man talking about his wife’s emotions. Did Pandora make another box? I know that I’m making some broad generalizations here, but they are generally true. My generalizations are these: Women are more aware of, in-tune with, and to an extent, controlled by their emotions. Men (generally) tend to flop between two...
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Last week I discussed nursing and many of the difficulties there in. But what happens when things never get better? Today my friend Amanda shares her struggle, disappointment, and the eventual freedom she found in the bottle. Simply stated, the journey of deciding how to feed my child culminated in discouragement and frustration. Some could...
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I wanted to title this post “A collective sigh,” but instead went for simple and straight forward. Chances are you are sick of hearing my voice- even if it is in the deep recesses of your mind. At the very least I am worn out from the daily posting! Literally. [Sore wrist. Anyone else have...
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September is baby safety month and we are joining Owlet Baby Care and 30 other bloggers in sharing our tips for keeping your baby safe in all aspects of life. If you have been following the “blog hop” for the month of September and came here from yesterday’s post “Ten More Things No One Tells First...
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This is likely to be an “alpine start” I am never going to forget. For those new to outdoorsie lingo, here is a brief definition: alpine start- 1. To make an efficient start on a long climb by packing all your gear the previous evening and starting early in the morning, usually well before sunrise. My...
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We are a society of instant gratification. But so much in life becomes good when we are in it for the long haul. Like, for example, our puppy, Kai. Now we really haven’t been in “it” that long with him. He is roughly 8 months old… But I can tell you that those first 3...
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Today we took time to interview our blogging buddies at Bring the Kids and asked them a few questions about their marriage. How long have you been married? We’ve been married for 6 years! Where/how did you meet? We were both skiing up at Snowbird, were in the singles line and hopped on the lift...
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My marriage gets mixed up, turned around and in-side-out ALL the time. And I am guessing yours does to. The circumstances aren’t necessarily epic…but the heat is turned up all the same. Perhaps you disagree on which family to visit for Christmas. Perhaps you are trying to get out the door and one baby is...
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The is the second week of our blogging double header with Bring The Kids! We are talking about how to thrive in our marriages. So keep coming back! Several years ago, my wife would frequently say that she felt as though she had no hobbies. She didn’t know who she was anymore. That she’d been...
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Welcome back to A “Made for Adventure” Marriage! Last week we had some great discussion on what is means to fight for your spouse, pursuing each other’s hearts, and keeping the passion alive. We also encouraged couples to make those date nights a priority and invest in quality time together. Today I am sharing a post from a...
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Welcome to A “Made for Adventure: Marriage series. I just wanted to note a few things about my wife that I love. One for every year we’ve been married. (Our anniversary is Sunday!) 7 things I adore about my wife: 1) Her restlessness and yearning (to know God, to understand, to change the world). My wife is...
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If you just joined us, welcome to A “Made for Adventure” Marriage Series! A lot has been going on. Here is our fourth installment, a re-post from sometime last summer. I don’t re-post often. In fact, I never have before. But it is a good one. One I need to read to myself over and...
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This is part 3 in our series all about marriage. If you are wondering what you’ve missed, well… here ya go: Stirring Passion in Marriage and Life, Love, and a Good Burger. Our friends over at Bring The Kids are teaming up with us, check out today’s post on finances. It is 2:30 in the...
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Welcome! We are glad you decided to join us for part 2 of A “Made for Adventure” Marriage. We are teaming up with our friends over at Bring the Kids to share all about marriage from two different perspectives. So check them out! Yesterday Chris talked about what to do when the passion begins to...
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Thanks for joining us for part 1 in our series called A “Made for Adventure” Marriage. Many, many people reach the end of their parenting years and realize one morning, sitting at the table that they don’t know the person across from them anymore. There is no love or passion. That thought terrifies me. I...
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Here at The Kid Project we love family! We love kids and the outdoors and all [well…most] of what goes along with it. So this next week we are starting a series on marriage. What does marriage have to do with the outdoors? Nothing and everything I suppose. But our marriages do have everything to do...
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