School has been in session for Carlie for about a month now. But man, I now realize how hard it is to get kids to school, do homework, make dinner etc....etc. To top it all off Carlie hates her after school club (which is a pretty cool and fun couple of hours that the kids do activities and homework while the parents are finishing up their work day.) BUT, Carlie got shuffled around on the first day and as a kindergartner she was still new to the routine, so she got scared. She's worried that she'll get lost in the halls with the big kids and and not know where to go.

This shouldn't be a big deal, but to her it is. We even tried to have Cary go and help her walk to the place (which is inside her school) but when she took one look at him she just lost it and started to cry. Mannnnn this is normally my very independent child. What now? Hopefully she'll get over it and go. We will see.

I now feel for every mom who is doing all this and trying to work too. Can I just say being a mom is hard sometimes.

LOTOJA 2008!!!

We had an epic day- full of fun, rushing to feed zones and cheering for our guy. Cary had a blast with a great 7th place finish in the Cat 5 mens 1800 group, and to quote "only a few moments of dispare". I would guess that anyone who has ever done this race could relate to that comment. He also joined the 1000 mile club with this being the 5th Lotoja under his belt. So now he's got to do it next year to get his cog.

I thought I would start the descriptions with a picture of the sunrise cyclery sign. They were the ones who started it all. And thanks to those pioneers, Logan has become somewhat of a mecca for roadies.

Here is Cary and the kids - getting ready for the long day ahead.

I have always loved the start, even at 6:45 in the morning they have the music playing and everyone gets pumped.

Here's a cheese from Garrett - who wished he could have been racing with daddy today. Maybe he'll pick it up someday.

Cary's looking on watching the other groups go... only a few minutes to his start. Garrett is messing around like usual.

Here is Cary's group of Cat 5 men 1800's numbers (just a way to keep track of who your racing against.) I think there were like 50 or more guys in his group.

There he goes with a big grin on his face, only 205.9 miles to go!

Here we are at our first feed zone - Montpelier ID. We got there pretty early, and all I can say is thank goodness for parks along the way. I'm glad the race organizers do this for the sanity of the racing widows and familys that support. Carlie (my pony/horse fanatic) loved these swings. And of course they would have these kind of swings in Idaho.

Here's Garrett waiting for daddy on the hill at the montpelier feed zone...both the kids were super good. So I didn't have to worry much about them.

Here's Carlie - she kept asking if she could go to the bathroom - I knew Cary was just a few seconds to minutes from arriving. So sorry Carlie you have to wait. She doesn't look very happy, but we made it.

I took a picture of the people waiting to show just a sliver of how many people support. I't was interesting to people watch while we were waiting.

Cary rolled in right on the dot at 4 hours for 82 miles... right on track. He was feeling good and only stayed for 45 seconds. He was in a group and wanted to continue with those guys, so off he went.

Garrett and Carlie both kept asking me where we were going and where whe were...I guess it was confusing to them because we were in and out of the car like 10 times. But they had fun. The rest of the feed zones were so quick that I didn't have time to take any pictures. But we stopped in Afton WY and Alpine Junction, WY.

Here is Cary cruzing up snake river canyon, this picture shows him on his own. The funny thing was that he was always in a big group - mostly pulling at the front. He told me later that some riders would help and some sat on his wheel. He's always such a curtious rider. If it were me, I would have made them work if they were sitting behind me.

Here is the finish. 206 miles, and 10 hrs later he rolled in. I did take a picture of him rolling in, but he was going to fast so I only got the guy that was behind him. Maybe one day I'll have a digital SLR for such an occasion. Anyway I'm very proud of all his hard work. This was a great ride for him. Great job!

JACKSON OR BUST!!!!

Saturday is Cary my hubby's big bike race! LOTOJA! 206 miles of fun or so he says. He will join the 1000 mile club this year, which means that he has ridden the race 5 times (times 200 miles each time). We start in Logan and then onto Preston ID, Montpeiler ID and so on and so forth. He doesnt seem nervous, but for some reason I am nervous for him. I guess its because I have probably sacrificed as much as him to get ready for the race. I am what you call a bike widow. He goes anyware from 50 to 150 miles every tues, thurs and sat without fail. So you can guess who's at home watching kids all the time - not that I mind it but, I'll be glad when the season ends tommorrow. Garrett my 4 year old boy was sad because he wants to race with daddy. Maybe in a few years buddy.

Cheeseburger in Paradise

I am still bummed about the end of summer! If I had my way it would be 85 degrees and four day work week year round! I love the smells of fresh cut grass and the coolness of the swimming pool. For our family Jimmy Buffett is the epitomy of the sound of summer. I think I have about every song memorized. What's even cooler is my kids almost do to. In our family we like to think of ourselves as a cheeseburgers in paradise.

to hear JIMMY's song click playlist button