Having a RAM-TASTIC time at Keller Park; Ram and Grandbill's Excellent Adventure

As promised, Ram and I had a little jogging adventure.  We've been doing manly things like eating beef jerky, playing catch by bouncing the ball off the living room wall, drinking straight from the carton, and eating dessert first.  We wanted to do some physical stuff, so we decided to run down to Keller park and play on the big toys there.  So, here's a glimpse of our adventure.


WARNING:  Some scenes may be too intense for young children . . . but NOT RAM!  He's as tough as nails and thrived in the hard play environment.  But for the weaker children--do not attempt at home or school or anywhere except under the expert watch of Grandbill!

Here's our video:

Photo and video editing at www.OneTrueMedia.com

As you can see, we had a blast!


Looking forward to more fun with the little man.  Glad he could spend a week with us.  Loved every minute of it!


Love, Grandbill and Meemaw

Visit from RAM CARTER

Meemaw and Grandbill and Summer and Doug got a marvelous treat this week: A VISIT FROM RAM CARTER!  We picked him up in Provo last Saturday while CJ and family were at the Utah State track meet (CJ is a coach, and her team did great!).  We flew him home, reintroduced him to Doug (instant love), and have had a great time ever since.  He's been a perfect little man, and we've loved having him RUN around.  He just runs everywhere, and bounces up from his crashes, no prob.  Here are some pics:

Plane ride from SLC to DEN.  He loved it, and ESPECIALLY LOVED THE  TURBULENCE!  Laughed like an idiot.  Pure boy!

Here we are at Summer's Graduation.  He had sat through more than three hours of meetings by this time, but he was still a great trooper.  No crying, no problems!

He loves spaghetti (well, he loves most anything), but you'll see in the video that his favorite thing to eat is BEEF JERKY. A TRUE ROY OFFSPRING!  Get cooking Meemaw!  We need some more Man Food.

We deduced that this might be one of the few times Ram has had a bath by himself--he's usually piled in with  his sisters.  He LOVES bath time!

After the bath.  Nicely combed hairdo!

Summer's graduation with Grandpa and Grandma Norton.  Vickie had been up until midnight, and then up at 6:10 am trying to help Aunt Krista get to Tonga.  As of this writing, she made her Hawaii flight, and is not enroute to Guam, only about halfway there when she arrives!

After graduation.  Ram was a gem--not a squeak!

Outside the graduation ceremony at the World Arena.  Gorgeous day.  By the way, this was the same day and time of the USAFA graduation, and the Thunderbirds flew over not long after.  I graduated from there almost exactly 34 years ago.  Ram told me he would like to attend there if BYU Basketball coach Dave Rose doesn't recruit him . . . .

Summer the Graduate and Ram the future Graduate (far, far in the future).

Ram and Doug are fast friends.  A moment prior to this snap, they were nuzzling each other.

Afternoon snack.  Cheese is fine, but he wants BEEF JERKY!

Here is a video montage of some fun moments.  The video of Ram in the dark on the floor is during one of his "naps."  He just talks and sings--pretty content just to have some "quiet" time.  

Photo and video editing at www.OneTrueMedia.com

We're having a RAMbunctious time in Colorado with the little man!

Love, Grandbill

GRADUATION SEASON!

It's graduation season for Summer!

Summer had her last day of school last Wednesday, graduated from Seminary last night, and will officially graduate from high school on this Wednesday.  We're all thrilled for Summer!

Here's a long (two minute) video of Summer opening a gift from Aunt Jamie:

Make an on-line slideshow at www.OneTrueMedia.com

It's sure a nice time of year--gorgeous weather, no school, fun events to look forward to, lots of graduation parties, and we have RAM CARTER for a visitor this week.

Congrats Summer--we love you!

Love, Dad/Grandbill

The Real "Skinny" on Dad's Diet

WARNING:  View this blog at your own risk.  It is intended primarily for family members, since there is a picture of a half-naked man in the video.  I am that man, and I am pretty hot, I must say . . . .


True story:  When Ladon made his grand appearance in our house for the first time, we gave him a nickle tour, which included a viewing of the family pictures on the wall.  He looked at my most favorite of all pictures, my cadet portrait.  He indelicately blurted, "My, you've aged . . . ."  Then he tried to tack on a "well!" but it was too late; he confirmed my suspicion of his bad judgment.  Here's that favorite picture:

Captain America!  Ladon, HOW COULD YOU!?!

But alas, I have aged, and not well, and I've packed on the pounds.  So I decided to go on a diet.  Here's a picture of me last October at General Conference.  You'll notice the babes I'm with, and here's this fat dumpy guy with the pudgy face!  

But we did have a big fat good time at Conference!

Oh, another true story:  When Grandma Lenhart was very near the end, she feebly called me to her bedside.  I have seen this scene a thousand times in movies and in my mind--I was sure she was going to thank me for taking such good care of her precious granddaughter (Vickie) all these years, or compliment me on the great family I've raised, or note how she always saw me as her own grandson. Well, that's not quite it.  Instead, she faintly and solemnly whispered, "Bill honey, go on a diet . . . ."


So, here I am, on a diet.


I have a pretty strict food program, and I work out religiously.  Here's my running hat.  Krista said hat's aren't so popular with runners these days, but I've already noticed the trend turning around as a result of my running.  Notice how it's pretty dang sweaty and dirty.

Browning, of course.  This had is about 15 years and 1000 miles old.

Just to compare, here's a pretty clean hat next to my running hat.

Good deal:  Any daughter (or grandkid) who wants a Browning hat, just comment on this blog and you got it!

Speaking of sweaty, that's what I get : Very Sweaty.  That's how you lose weight, after all.  Um, I'll admit I'm a little superstitious about my running clothes.  I don't wash them until I've lost ten pounds.  But that means I'll soon be on my third washing since 1 March! (I've had 62 workout sessions since then).   Here's a video of the hazards of that superstition:

Make an on-line slideshow at www.OneTrueMedia.com

But at least I'm getting good results!  Plus, I don't have to worry about any annoying runners wanting to run with me.


Particularly important is the DIET.  I researched the internet for the best program for my body makeup, and here's how it works: (By the way, it's called the "Acid-Balance Diet" since you need to carefully monior your stomach acids so they don't eat through the stomach walls).


BREAKFAST:  As you can see, a typical breakfast is one CORN FLAKE (don't worry, I always choose a big one), TWO ALMONDS (good for protien fiber), a three-inch line of toothpaste (Crest is my favorite, and it also helps your breath and negates the stomach acid), and a dill pickle (zero calories, and plenty of flavor.  But unfortunately, it also augments the acid).  Oh, and you can have all the GRASS you can eat.  Unfortunately, I have to select grass from Doug and Sydney's  "Territory," so I try to wash it as best I can (Doug and Sydney are our family dogs).  Fortunately, I don't usually want a lot of grass.

The toothpaste line is surprising filling!  Plus, good on your breath and best eaten after the grass.

LUNCH:  I really look forward to this meal, because I usually work out prior to lunch, so I'm famished!  As you can see, I get an ORANGE PEEL (not the orange, too much sugar, but the peel has lots of Vitamin C and D), a FULL TABLESPOON OF SALT (and I mean a heaping helping, and a big tablespoon), a QUARTER CUP OF POPCORN SOAKED IN WATER (not sure what that does, but I suspect it helps with clearing out the digestive system, because that's exactly what I get the next morning), and a PENCIL TO CHEW ON (no kidding, a 7-inch pencil will last about 30 minutes, and some brands are pretty satisfying).

Grapefruit peels are also good--you can eat them like potato chips (which are NOT on the approved diet list).

DINNER:  This took me a while to adjust to, but it's really KEY to the success of the diet.  I can only LOOK AT PICTURES OF FOOD, but I try to choose good pictures of healthy food, as you can see in the pic.  Also, I get 3/4 glass of water, which is great, because the diet doesn't allow for any fluids during the day.  And you can choose a second pencil if necessary.  And occasionally, I'll take a REALLY LONG SMELL of Vickie's and Summer's dinner, which works well if I put my nose right on the food.

I like pictures of salmon, lobster, cheesecake, bing cherries and waternelon.  That combo seems most filling to me.

JUST KIDDING!!!  I have a pretty normal diet, including a big breakfast (like bacon, eggs, and grapefruit this morning).  I try to avoid carbs, and keep the calories around 1500/day, more or less (about 400 - 600 per meal).  I also don't eat ANY PROCESSED SUGAR . . . NONE.  None of Mom's awesome chocolate chip cookies, no brownines, no M&Ms (oh, that's hard), no soda, etc.  NO SUGAR!  It's not that difficult after a few days.  I rarely feel hungry.  And I drink water like a fish--easily two gallons a day.  I think I've developed a tube that goes directly from my throat to my drainage system . . . .


And as I mentioned, I work out a lot--about six days a week.  I run one day, then lift weights the next.  Run lift, run lift, etc.  I'm up to 6 miles in 60 minutes, and three circuits on my weight machine.  


Here's a graph of my weight loss since 1 March 2011.  As you can see, I'm approaching 30 pounds total weight loss.  I started around 205.  I had a little blip while in Boston for the marathon, but it was worth it: Texas Roadhouse, Olive Garden, and endless snacks--YUM!  My goal is 40 pounds loss, or 165 lbs.  I should get there by mid-June, unless there is another marathon. (This is my real chart, by the way).

I've been pretty consistent with my rate of weight loss.  It's actually fun to watch it happen.

Here's a pic of me after running:

Just kidding.  Here's a real pic of me after running

Ran 3.1 miles today in 30:41, which includes a big hill at the end.  Whew!

Here's a pic of me and Mom.  OH, MOM IS ALSO LOSING WEIGHT.  She's lost about 8 pounds recently.  Loooooking goooood Mom!  When I told Mom we were going to take a picture, she said (I kid you not) "We should take a picture of our butts!"  That Mom . . . .

This reminds me of when we gave Jamie a hint about her birthday present by making this face.  She said "A baby alive!"  Not sure why.  No, it was a fish.  That Jamie . . . .

Just kidding.  That was our fish face.  Here are our real diet faces:

Who needs to see a butt when you can see faces like this?!?  Wait, that didn't come out right . . . .

And how 'bout Summer?  Of course, she doesn't need a diet; she's a knockout!  Here's a picture of her on the last day/week/month/semester/year of her high school career:

Congratulations Summer!  You are the most amazing kid we've ever seen!  Keep up the good work!

Well (as Ladon would say), that's the real "skinny" on our dieting!


Love, Grandbill

Summer's Senior Prom, Pt I

BITTERSWEET MOM(ENTS):  IT'S SUMMER(TIME)!

Last week was the SENIOR PROM for Summerque.  Pretty exciting!  Of course, it's a big event for a high school senior, and we were all pretty jazzed about it.  As you'll recall, Summer was the Doherty High School Homecoming Queen, so glamor and grace come naturally to her.  But this event had a bittersweet twang to it, since it was the FINAL high school formal for any Roy girls, and also for MOM, who has managed about 20 such events since CJ's first Homecoming dance in October of 1998.  So mom was grumbling a little bit about yet ANOTHER dress/hair/shoes/jewelery/boutonniere/modificationsonthedress/maddasharoundthehouse stuff, but she was also a little sad that it's all over--for those were pretty memorable times around our house!  

This is just Part I of Summer's Excellent Prom Adventure; maybe she can fill you in on the events of the evening.

Here's Summer and Mom starting the process (it only took about 45 minutes since Summer was babysitting prior to the arrival of her date):

You gotta admit, Mom has some pretty good raw materials to work with!

The Transformation was pretty amazing!

The hair is going up!  You can see the mirror image of the clock on the wall:  It's 4:30 pm, and the date will arrive in 45 minutes!  (Some pre-Prom prep can take up to two hours . . . or more!)

Summer has a plan, and Mom is on board . . . only 30 minutes to go, so Let's Go!

Check out this video.  Did you know this is a part of the process?  I sure didn't.  I thought Mom was torturing Summer for some unknown reason!

Make video montages at www.OneTrueMedia.com

Taking shape . . . and Summer likes it so far.  But hurry, the clock is a-tickin'!

One advantage to long hair:  Lots of curls!

See the clock in the background?  Date scheduled to arrive in one minute (5:15 pm).  Finished just in time!

And here's her handsome date!  Just kidding.  I just had to get into the picture with the beautiful girl!

Here's the date, Cillon Disneros.  Or, is it Dillon Cisneros?  Couldn't quite remember.  I was sure to be cleaning my guns when he arrived.  We had a SERIOUS talk about my expert marksmanship so he'd be sure to understand the way things are!

Summer and Dillon ready to go.  She looks great!  As usual!  

Dillon is 6' 5".  Pretty tall.  Bigger target, I was thinking, not that I need a big target.  Just kidding, he's a very nice guy.  He's going into the Air Force, so he gets good judgment points right there . . . .

Off they go.  Notice how Dillon did NOT open the door for Summer?!?  Fortunately, he had  those Air Force bonus points, or he would have been starting out in the red.

Summer said they had a marvelous time!  Maybe she'll blog about it.  We sure enjoyed seeing our daughters get dressed up for fun events (and they were always gorgeous and modest and dazzling).

Good job, Roy girls.  Good job Mom!


Love, Dad/Grandbill

Roy Family Outing . . . or Upping, or Downing, or Wheeling!

Greetings Outdoor Enthusiasts (and Curb Your Enthusiasm Enthusiasts):

Today we had a little family outing:  The Nielsen Challenge!  It's a 2.0 mile race that Vick has been running monthly for more than a year.  It was a gorgeous day, and we were thrilled to run well and get out together.  I think we all ran Personal Bests, or nearly so.  We were so excited about it all that we came back home and jumped for joy.  Here are the pictures:

Here's our first picture.  We tried to get Doug to cooperate, but no, he's a dumb mutt who just wants to have fun.  Hey sounds good!  Plus, we couldn't get Pike's Peak in the background, so we had to take another pic.

This pic was looking good, but Doug still didn't get it, and Summer did her typical jumping picture.  But at least we got some of the Peak!  So, try again . . . .

I know, we'll ALL jump this time.  Except a) Summer didn't jump, and b)   Sydney  tried to get into the picture.  FAMILY MEMBERS ONLY! That means only Doug.  (Just kidding Sydney.  You're a family member I guess).

Unfortunately, Mom had to play Godzilla-Sumo-Dumpsquatter in this pic.  But check out the HUGE AIR SUMMER CATCHES IN THIS PIC!  AWESOME BUM! 

There are no words for this pic . . . .  Except Summer is again catching some serious spazz air!  OH, Mom wanted me to censor this picture, so no problem, see below:

There ya go . . . .

Summer flipped a pretty good cartwheel, but Mom and I pretty much mistimed the jump . . . again.  So,  try again.

Well, I don't think Mom ever got off the ground in any of these pics, and Sydney is still  hanging around, and  Summer is getting serious hang time, and we pretty much just had a fun time.  Hope you can join us sometime!

COMING SOON:
For those of you who don't believe my running abilities, I will have a video for you.  Not sure when, but within a couple of weeks.  You'll like it . . . .

Have a great weekend!

Love, Grandbill/Dad