Racing, Camping, Kids

I had good intentions to get this updated after Iola. I ended up going up with a friend who's wife and baby stayed home as well for the weekend. The pre-ride felt really good so I was excited about the race. Later that evening I was going over the bike and noticed my repair weld had cracked. I didn't have much choice so I just hoped it would make it through the race. Sunday felt really good the hills were fun and the single track flowed perfectly. I ended up rolling in 12th spot...not bad for the first race of the season.
After the race I decided it was time to retire the Mongoose. One of the guys over at the Trek East store had a Rig that he wasn't riding. I picked that up and swapped everything over on it.
We weren't sure about going to Rhinelander and were looking for a camper so we could bring the kids with and camp with them at races. We found a nice used camper on Thursday before the race so we decided to take it up north and see what the kids thought about camping.
Saturday we got up to the race course. We got the camper set up and Cathy headed out for a pre-ride. I took the kids around the venue and tried to get them good and wore out so they would sleep good. If I have learned anything as a parent it is that "wearing the kids out" is a wives tale or fantasy that people talk about. We ran for about 3 hours straight, ate some supper, hung out in the camper, read some books, and then put them down. 2.5 hours later they fell asleep - lesson learned: kids have an endless supply of energy that if it could be tapped into and harnessed would make them nearly unstoppable at any activity!
Once the kids fell asleep the camper worked really well, and despite the challenges we are looking forward to more camping trips.
The next day was the regular routine, I worked at the Park Tool tent, Cathy played with the kids, we ate lunch, and then race time. I didn't get a chance to pre-ride but everyone was saying the course was really rough. We hit the first set of single track and that was ever true! I had this weird throat thing going on so the first 1/2 lap I was coughing up junk the entire time. After I got my system cleaned out I started to feel alright, I got into a good group and we were picking off riders at a steady pace. Half way through the second lap I hit one of the bumps REALLY hard. I heard bad noises from the front of the bike and thought I might have broken my front axle...yeah I hit that hard. Then about 3/4 through the second lap my chain broke. I got that fixed and checked the front wheel - which was fine. My fork however was not right, it was stiff and clunky. I got back on the bike and tried to make an effort to catch up. I was pretty far back in the pack and was just not feeling good so I pulled the plug at the end of the lap. I was a little bummed for making that long of a drive just for a DNF but I guess that is all part of the game. I took the fork off and sent it into the guys at Hayes/Manitou so we will see what they say broke inside some time this week.
In all it was a good time, spending a weekend at the races with kids is a whole new challenge. I hope they get more used to it / easy as the summer progresses and as they get older. We are going to try a more local camping trip again in a couple weeks just to get more time in the camper and for them to get used to it.
In other news, Cathy got signed up for the Madison Half Marathon. This will be her longest run ever and now that she is signed up she is really excited about it. That is happening Memorial Day weekend. We are also going to be doing some landscaping in our back yard this weekend. It should be interesting so we will be sure to post pictures.

Iola - Back to Racing

This weekend is the start to another racing season. I had a cruel realization last week that we were only 10 days away from racing. A moment of panic and excitement hit me...have I got enough riding in? How does my fitness compare to last year? Who is going to be fast this year? You know the drill, it happens every year.
I am wrenching for WORS again this year in the Park Tool Neutral repair tent. If you have neglected your bike all year and it is in need of some serious TLC stop by and I will get it going for you.
I will get a full report after the race and hopefully some pictures. We are looking forward to seeing everyone again after another long and cold winter.

LETS GO RACING!!!!!!!!!!

Georgia Walking and April Pictures

Georgia has started walking!!! She's really cruisin the only time she will crawl is when she is outside. Georgia was chasing Keenan.

Keenan is walking in his Daddy's shoes.

We are doing some landscaping and Neil cut down some of the old bushes in our backyard, Keenan wanted to help.

We went to the Zoo last weekend and fed the ducks at Lake Wingra. Keenan loved throwing the bread to the geese and the ducks. Georgia just watched with her Daddy.

Easter Weekend

I know Easter has been a couple weeks ago, but we are just getting around to blogging about it.
We went back to MN for Easter and stopped in at Pizza Hut in Sauk City on the way home. This is so AMAZING we ordered a large, supreme deep dish pizza it was only $10, you can't even go to McDonalds for that cheap. I was so excited about this I have been telling everyone.

Neil took Keenan to the park there was a baseball field and he ran the bases about a dozen times he loves baseball, Neil had a hard time making him leave.

We went to the Sunrise service with my parents, the kids were amazing considering there were up at 6. When we got home the Easter bunny had left them some baskets which Keenan loved, we only gave him maybe a handful of candy which was plenty, and he got some other goodies. Then we went outside and found some Easter eggs in the yard. Keenan looked high and low for all the Easter eggs and only needed a little help with some of eggs. We went inside and he opened up all the eggs to find all the great surprises inside them. Georgia loved taking out all the eggs out of the basket and scattering them all over the room.

Spring Fun

We had a small party for Neil on his Birthday which was the 16th. Keenan helped his Daddy blow out all the candles.
Keenan enjoying the warm weather, relaxing on his little bench outside.
Georgia had fun sitting on her blanket playing with her toys.
I was painting my toes getting ready for sandle season, when I decided Georgia needed a little pink on her toes as well. She did not want to sit very well, but we got them painted. Her little toes are soo cute.
Keenan loves being out in the garage with Neil fixing things/helping. He is fixing Neil's bike here with a screw driver it looks like he actually knows what he is doing.

We have been out on the bikes with the kids a couple times this year already. The kids love it and so far they don't mind sharing their small space with each other. We hope to get out more this week with the 70 degree weather that is suppose to come. YEAH!!!

Family/Georgia 1 year pictures

We went down to the the Madison Contempary Art Museum to get Georgia's 1 year pictures taken. She was a very smiley and happy baby that day.

She loved climbing on the stairs.

She loved playing with her skirt.

They are so cute in this picture, I hope they will be like this when they are teenagers.

We went down on to State Street and got some pictures taken, it was a beautiful day. There were so many people out and about.

The kids did great and the pictures turned out amazing.

Georgia's 1st Birthday

Georgia's birthday was Thursday the 11th she woke up and had a pancake birthday cake. She loves pancakes so I knew she would enjoy her birthday pancake. Keenan helped her blow out her 1 candle and helped sing happy birthday to her, I think he really does love her.

Saturday we had her big birthday party. She loved her cake

Georgia with her Lady bug cake.

Georgia enjoying her ladybug cake.
Georgia sad after having her ladybug cake taken away. I don't think she would have stopped if I let her eat as much as she wanted. We opened up gifts after the cake and Keenan liked opening the gifts more than Georgia did. She had a great day and got lots of wonderful gifts.