Back in the saddle

Yes, it's been a long time since I last blogged. Much has happened that is blog-worthy, but the irony of living a full life with lots of funny stories you want to record is that the busyness inherently takes up your time...and then the stories can't get recorded.

Somehow, though, I don't think the kids will grow up and complain about a ten day gap in the documentation of their childhood. I suspect instead that one day I will present them with beautifully bound volumes (and volumes and volumes) of their personal history and they will instinctively step backwards in horror and say, "Ummm, thanks Mom. But...maybe you can keep all those boxes at YOUR house. I don't have a moving van to haul it, and even if I could fit all that crap memorabilia in my place I'm pretty sure it would be a fire hazard."

And being their mother, I will of course store everything for them. And then when I die they will just toss everything in a recycling bin. Because who can afford to take a year off work and read twenty bazillion volumes of blog entries?

So, the ten day absence is probably just as well.

Anyway, Uncle John raced in a bike race today and Ken and I and the kids went to cheer him on. It was his first time doing this race and he was a bit nervous. Actually, as I listened to random racers preparing before the start, MANY of them appeared to be nervous. The comment, "Man I'm really gonna hurt after this" or "I don't know how well my body is going to handle this" was frequently overheard - which is probably why the race was called Pain on the Peak.

Yep - blogging is a MUCH better hobby to have. The only physical downside is vitamin D deficiency and a rapidly expanding butt.

The start of the race. John is in the brown t-shirt on the left:


And they're off!


The race was a windy, bumpy trail that looped over Bald Peak. But just to keep the riders on their toes, at two points in the loop you had to GET OFF YOUR BIKE AND CARRY IT OVER LOGS. It kinda reminded me of an episode of Survivor. Here's Ken and Della cheering John on as he leapt over the logs:


And the dust. Every time the riders passed us by we got coated with it. Of course, I'm a big believer in the philosophy "dirt don't hurt" however I don't think this principle applies to expensive, prized-possessions like my new Canon 40D. OOPS. I may have to go get it cleaned.

Michael didn't like the dust either:


The race was fifty minutes long, so while John tortured enjoyed himself, Ken and I and the kids played on the sidelines. Here's Laurel riding piggyback on Daddy:


And Michael gazing at all the dirt. Where's a bulldozer when you need one?


Della watching the cyclists:


The shoe company, Keen, was giving out free chapsticks to everyone which was really nice as Laurel LOVES chapstick. I let her have free reign with hers, which postponed the inevitable I'M TIRED AND MISERABLE AND WILL MAKE YOUR LIFE A LIVING HELL UNTIL I GET MY NAP tantrum by a good twenty minutes. Thanks Keen!


As for me, I had my eye on a VERY well-endowed man...or should I say a man with a VERY well-endowed camera. It must have had a 300mm lens - and it was an L series. I think my tongue got covered with dust from all the open-mouthed drooling I did as I gazed upon it. I watched the man as he went from location to location getting great action shots of the cyclists. Towards the end of the race I went to one of his spots to see if I could get the same quality action shot of John.

Ummmm...NOPE.


The fault could be my novice ability, or perhaps my puny, non-L series 35mm lens. But I prefer to blame the LOUD TANTRUMING CHILD tugging on my legs with all her might, shaking my body and almost knocking me to the ground. It's her fault the picture looks like a snapshot. As Grammy has commented, that girl has more temper and passion than the rest of the family put together. It really is quite awesome to witness - like a category 5 hurricane.

Daddy and Della waiting at the finish line for John:


And lastly, John resting immediately afterwards. He got 4th place - WAY TO GO UNCLE JOHNNY!! However, note the sweat and dirt. And Michael hovering near him as if to say, "Really? It's possible to have that much dirt stick to your skin?? I'm going to have to try that out!"