There are not many things I hate! But I hate it when my kids are sick. Addie has something that is best described by her as 'icky'. Poor kid. I want to switch-I would gladly take your 'icky' away for some sunshine back! She fights and the fevers are a sign of it. May be a trip to the clinic tomorrow...

The dog show was a success! I had to drag Kylie out after the second day. We were there for over four hours! "Love" was definitely in the air. She loves the golden breed-but also 'likes' the BMD but I can tell she is a little weary of their size. I cannot blame her-when on their hind legs they tower over her like a giant! But...damn I like that dog:) Done. It was sweet-we met with breeders and played with show dogs-I was sure in heaven. The best part was as we were watching an obedience exercise a Newfoundland snuck up behind her and started sniffing and playing with her hair-she nearly wet herself as she turned and saw the 150 lb. black 'bear' tangled with her. But within minutes she was petting the teddy 'bear' and playing with her. I have no idea if all shows are this friendly but we had a good, positive experience!

Christmas is almost here! Started wrapping tonight. Maybe a little more with Addie home tomorrow. Lots of time on the trainer. Is it a sign that you spend too much time on it when your 8 year old comes down to hang out with you as you train and asks if they make 'one of those things' for her? Yeah-probably.

m~

Going to a dog show this weekend. Getting excited to pick one out. Down to just a few breeds-most likely a Bernese mountain dog. Cannot wait! Trainer is getting a lot of use as of late. Lots of lifting. Starting to feel 'strong' again. But still sore. The girls are planning to hit the Disney on Ice Tomorrow (sat) but with the pending snow(YES!!!) it may be off. Hope we get enough to go snow shoeing. Kylie joined girl scouts and loves it! Addie just wants to be towed behind my bike forever...less trainer time for me. They have started to flood the rinks which means outdoor ice=pick-up games at the park. Come on snow already! Liking the new Scott line. MTB or wicked fast road bike? Santa? Are you listening?

Oct/Nov.

Biking has kept me going this fall! I have been able to bike a lot lately which is really good for this time of year. In late Sept. I took 11th in the MN State Single Speed Championship Race. I was shooting for a top 10 finish so very close. Next year. The following day I dropped out of the CX race at Riverside. Some guy rear-ended me throwing me from my bike but more devastating was the injury to my knee. MRI confirmed a 'chunk' of femur/articular cartilage missing and now floating in my knee. Surgery is inevitable-but I need a little more time to recover from the last round of surgeries that still haunt me-so it will have to wait. Bad news But it really only hurts when I am not on the bike-I decided to continue to train (with a partial blessing from the Dr) for the Dirt Bag Gravel Race. I felt fairly good going into the race because I had put plenty of hours on the bike between the end of Sept. & the end of Oct. I ended up placing 7th in the 82 mile gravel race. Not Bad. I am finding that the shorter 'burst' races just do not jive with my new lungs-so this long stuff seems to be a little better. All said and done 4:47:00 on the bike. That may be my longest time on the bike at one time ever going hard the whole time. I was really surprised at what the body can do. Funny thing-I could have kept going. Granted it was nice to be done. Hills, gravel, and WIND make for a painful day on the bike. My training was short so I cannot imagine what a little more preparation will do. 27 minutes off the leader. I am very happy with the outcome. The last two weeks have been really getting back to the reasons why I love to ride so much-late fall rides having fun the the mountain bikes in the woods. I do not hunt, but see many deer. I get to enjoy all that fall brings the way I like it-on two wheels. I cannot wait for the 2011 season! Keep the fingers crossed that I can lace up and skates...

enjoy

Windy lately. Knee is messed up but can still ride. Addie is almost 3. No big party but quite a celebration considering her 'early' start. Been renovating the parents house. Looking very cool. Will post some before/afters soon. Feel like a dirt bag next weekend.

Long and overdue!

BUSY. Yep like everyone else with kids. We are on a solid health kick for about the last 6 mos. Lots of running for Kristi (she did the Twin Cities 10 mile!!!) and biking for me (finally jumped on with the fast guys in town this last weekend). I think Kristi is excited to run this winter and has her sight set on the Earth Day 1/2 next spring. She could do it today so by next spring she will be really fast! I have a 75 mile gravel race at the end of this month that I have been putting some miles in for. Should be fun. And cold. But fun. Hockey starts soon. Hopefully some swimming at Grandma Flo's pool for the girls.

Kylie started 2nd grade. She is a great reader. She loves school. Addie will end up running this place soon.. She is bossy, stubborn, and confident. And she is a snuggler. Crazy how different offspring are.

pics to follow. soon.

School is almost out! We all finished our first Apple Duathlon (Thanks Grandma Julie for coming up). Kylie was a last minute go but really enjoyed doing the Kid's DU. Kristi did awesome finishing in 25 & 27 minutes. Everyone is really proud. I know for sure that this will end up being an event that we do for years to come. Much Fun! Thanks to the Schad family for the great after party!

Found out that Addison likes to swim and Kylie can dive off the dock! These two loved the water more than I thought they would. Only came out for food and s'mores. We spent the day at the cabin soaking in rays, swimming (a lot), boating and just relaxing. Beautiful day!

Soccer starts, more 5k's & more cabin time.

be well.

Spring is going great! We are gearing up for lots of things. Kylie just finished a soccer camp last weekend and starts another this weekend. Her spring report card was outstanding! She is getting ready for the Earthday 1k and the Apple duathlon. She is also becoming the most gracious big sister around. It is really fun to be part of! Very proud.

Kristi is training for several 5k races. She is really enjoying being fit and running. It is nice to see her being active and enjoying life. Work is still busy. Patio pounding is starting up once again. Lots of fun!

Addison is turning in to a crazy 2 year old. She is so much fun. Very independent! But affectionate. She is into swinging, books, chalk, hula-hooping and going for bike rides. AND being just like big sister Kylie.

Easter was nice. We stayed home. Went to my parents. Kristi and I even enjoyed a coffee on the patio mid afternoon. The girls enjoyed the day with their grandparents and cousins. Life is busy. Earthday this weekend. Lots of biking in my future. Finish some house projects. Start painting.