I have not abandoned my blog. . . . only severely neglected it!

Well, it's been almost a year since I've posted anything. I would say there hasn't been anything worth blogging. . . . but that would be completely untrue. Oh well, no way I'd be able to catch up. So here's a postworthy event:

LOTOJA 2010

Yesterday, (on Maxine's birthay, Happy Birthday 9 year old baby girl!! We love you!!!) we spent the ENTIRE day living all things LOTOJA. LOTOJA is Logan to Jackson, it's a 206 mile bicycle race across 3 states. Bryan raced it for his first time ever, along with 2 other cyclists (thanks guys!) They did a 3 man relay team with Nate doing the first 70 or so miles, Scott doing the next 45 miles, and Bryan doing the final 80 or so miles. A few interesting facts about the LOTOJA race:

• 28 years and going strong
• 206 mile long course
• over 4,000 people apply to do it, only 1,100 riders are allowed in the race
• average age if racers us 40
• about 92% of riders finish the course

Here's a link to the official web page:
http://lotojaclassic.com/

Anyways, we spent 9/11/10 chasing around the LOTOJA course. I spent the entire day, chasing around in the car, delivering food and water and trying to stay a step ahead of Bryan. Here's some pics of the day:
Bryan's leg with the official LOTOJA "tattoo", verifying the riders.

So, desperate times call for desperate measures, isn't that what they say? Even though there were plenty of port-a-potty's all along the route, there was usually a line. And when you're relay guy is waiting for you to take over and ride, and you have to pee. . . . well, let's just say you have to be creative.

Handing off the "chip" from one racer to the next. The riders all have microchips around there ankles to officially record their time and progress.


Ready to take off on his leg of the race. Go Bryan!!

I took this picture from the car, Bryan's the one in the mostly white kit. Pretty scenery huh?


This is about halfway through his leg, the was at the feed zone where I gave him some more water and power bars and such. And he's off.

This is the official finish line.

He has just crossed the finish line and is slowing down, I only got his backside. Oh well, some might say it's his best side.

All finished, waiting in line to give up his chip and register at the finish line. He doesn't look like it was too hard?! He looks great actually!

I MADE IT!!!!

Oh, and here's his support crew, ME!

And besides bragging rights, this is what he has to show for the day. It's a cool keychain (thinking I should snag it for me!)

His results (as far as we can tell from what's posted):

His relay team took 12th overall of relay teams. His relay team of 3 guys was the first 3 man team to finish. Their collective time was 10:09. Awesome job guys!! Not bad at all for first timers. . . .

Great job Bryan, I'm so proud of you. Can't wait to do it again next year!!

It's that time of year again. . . .

Piano Recitals!!!

Family pics

2 Teeth Pulled

Well, Maxine recently went to the orthodontist to see what needed to be done, and when. He explained to her that she has size 10 teeth in a size 7 mouth and there was no room for some of her permanent teeth to come in. SO he wanted 3 baby teeth pulled out so there was more room for permanent teeth to come in and hopefully they'd come in straighter. She was able to get one of them out on her own before she went to the dentist.

So yesterday she went to the dentist to have the other 2 teeth pulled. She was very anxious and not so excited about it all but she made it through just fine. A couple hours later she was running around fine. As a friend who watched her for me said, if you hadn't seen the evidence you'd hardly believe she just had them pulled. Sad to say the tooth fairy forgot to come that night, fortunately Bryan saved the day and said he'd locked the deadbolt so maybe she couldn't get in the house. There was an envelope taped to the outside of the door just in time. . . . And you know teeth that are pulled by the dentist are more expensive than other teeth that just fall out, in several regards! Tooth fairy was a bit more generous than usual with them!

Look, we match!!

OK, so this is the first time I have EVER dressed my daughter and myself alike. I made matching aprons for Maxine and I. They actually turned out OK, don't ya think?

Just some cute pics!

Riley is a D'back!

Riley played baseball for the FIRST time ever!! He did great!! He looks pretty dang good too! I was impressed by how good he did and how he stuck with it. The boys pitched to each other so he got hit by SEVERAL pitches, but he was tough and hung in there. He got plenty of hits, though not much action in the outfield. I was SO PROUD of him!!

Thanks to our neighbor Bob's personal coaching, Riley has a great swing and stance. Bob spent a lot of time with Riley (he's been a coach for many years and has 2 boys who play and are very good!).


You gotta be kidding me?? These two boys are in the same age group to play each other??? Someone check that kids birth certificate!! He's twice the size of Riley!!



One of many hits Riley took! He never cried and was pretty tough!
Great job Riley!! It was so much fun watching him (except on the cold days!) Can't wait for him to do it again next year!!