Lotoja

The next item in September was Lotoja. The 206 mile bike race from Logan, UT to Jackson, WY. This year Bri did it solo and after four weekends of 50+ mile mountain bike races why not finish the season with this? Because hotel rooms sell out before registration even opens for the race we ended up sleeping in our car at the camp ground and living out of the car for two days. It actually wasn't so bad and you know what? Subaru Outbacks are totally big enough to sleep in with the seats down. We started to get ready around 6 am on Saturday and Brian's official start time was 7:20. This year the weather was slightly warmer and not quite as dark at the start.

7:10, just before the start. I dropped off Brian and made my way to Preston, ID the first feedzone of the day.

No time to take a picture at Preston so after the round about 83 mile drive to Montpilier I got a picture of what the feedzones typically look like. A couple hundred people all looking for their riders. It's chaos and very little personal space. He made it there around 11am. He had found a group to ride along with and was making good time. I think he spent about 45 seconds in the feedzones and then was off again.

Once again no time to take pictures until the finish line. To fill you in, there's a grueling uphill climb between Montpelier and Afton, and then the descent is nerve wrecking to watch. Luckily Bri made it to Afton safe and sound and was then battling a headwind all the way to Jackson. To throw a kink into this long day I had some car troubles leaving Alpine Junction. Pretty much my car sounded like metal rubbing on metal. NOT GOOD! I knew I had no cell service through the canyon and hoped that I could catch Brian's parents at Hoeback Junction. The drive was slow and Brian pretty much beat me through the canyon. As I passed him he gave me the look of 'what the heck is going on with the car?!' I met up with his parents who luckily helped figure out that there must have been a rock in my brakes. Problem solved and on we go. Meanwhile Brian is yelling 'what's going on' while he passed us. I knew he had a good lead and just wanted him to finish strong so we waved him on. He dug deep, deeper then was thought, he made a pass and got the win for his age group! 9 hours and 44 minutes later he was done. Done for the season.

The look of a long hard day and season. His legs were strong, bike had no mechanicals, and we found a great new food for endurance races. I was so proud of him.

The next morning on the podium receiving his prize and trophy. And what does a 1st place finish get in the goody bag? A free entry for next year. Haha, I guess if he would stop being so good at what he does he wouldn't get thrown back into it again.

This is part of what the aftermath of a big race entails. A dishwasher FULL of bottles. Oh the joys of being a cyclist's wife.

30

I'm behind on my posts I know and to say that September has been busy is an understatement. We kicked off the month with Brian's big 30th birthday! I threw him a party in our backyard with all the trimmings, balloons (per Finley's request), his favorite cheesecake (homemade by his sister), fun patio lights, lanterns with candles, yummy BBQ food, and the company of his friends and family. Considering he had just raced a 83 mile (8:30 hour) bike race that day he was a good sport of conversation's and staying up late. Though I've only known Bri for 9 years he is the most wonderful man I know. His love for the girls and I is undeniable and everlasting. He's helped make me a stronger and more confident person all with patience and compassion. I must add that Bri is aging quite nicely, I sill find him irresistible even in the spandex he wears half the year. I love watching him ski, ride his bike and play with the girls.

I wish I would have gotten more pictures of his party but between hosting, and chasing kids you kind of get sidetracked. Thanks to all those who came and helped out, it was a great evening. A special thanks to my mother in law and father in law for having and raising such a wonderful son. Bri, I love you with all my heart and look forward to sharing more birthdays with you!

Some of Bri's favorite candies. Rock candy, Peanut M&M's, and Reese's Pieces.

The kids spent hours just playing on the tramp.

First of the Lasts

Today Finley started her first day of her last year of preschool. That seems kind of crazy to me. She has been so excited to go back, learn and be with her friends. This year is fun because all the kids in her class are ones who will go to Kindergarten with her next year. A few weeks ago we went and got a few new school clothes and last night we laid out what she wanted to wear along with her backpack. This morning we made sure we were up in time to get dressed, eat a good breakfast, and like always ride / walk to school.

Fin in our typical spot for a school picture.

Eliza wanted to be part of the action so she jumped right in.

We love that the school is so close. Fin and Bri on their way. I should mention that Fin thought for sure she was big enough to ride her bike alone to school. Not quite little one.

Cubbies and backpack hang up area. I must mention that the preschool she goes to is darling and her teacher is SO good with the kids. And not too mention a 1-2 year waiting list. I've loved it.

Fin with potential boyfriends. JK! Although they are her good buddies.

Bridger, Finley, Eli

(sorry, don't know what happened with the flash kind of blurring Fin)

I had to do this. These next three pictures are of Fin's first day of school for the last three years. It's amazing how's she's changed and growing up. She looks so little in the first!

Fall 2009

Fall 2010

Fall 2011

Can you tell we like skirts?

No Martha Stewart...

No I'm no Martha Stewart or popular interior designer but every now and again I feel good about some decorating I've done. Lately I've discovered Pinterest. For those of you who don't know what it is, don't check it out, you'll be hooked and spend many hours searching and wishing you could change things in your home, make lots of yummy food, discover new styles, or make cool crafts. Actually you should check it out, it's a very cool site. Anyways, it had me thinking on a few spots of my house that need tweaking. I started with my laundry room: that room is teeny and has two doors (from the garage and into a hallway) so I don't have much room to tweak. I wish I had before pictures to show the improvements / changes but oh well.

First is the Laundry room. I found a great metal tray (debating spray painting a cool color) at Ikea that fits and organizes my laundry detergent, bleach, Victoria Secret soap (to die for!), and the 'found in the pockets' bucket. Two little boards with knobs are on the wall, mainly for drying spandex (remember I'm a cyclist's wife). I'm on a tight budget and so these few great finds together were all under $75 but make a big difference.

I took down all the 'junk': toolbox, drill, bleach and cleaning box and replaced with these cute wire baskets. Notice there are five: One for Brian's Stuff, Heather's, Finley's, Eliza's and a hippy bag bin. I'm still in search for a cute twig wreath or great picture to hang above them.

Third on the list, the space between the dryer and wall. Keep in mind there is only 7 inches of space and an awkward 26 inches deep. What do you do with this? I did have an ugly white shelve for shoes but it was always cluttered and drove me crazy. So what did I do? Found these great shoe bins at IKEA. They were the perfect size to fit and open and NO MORE CLUTTER! Each bin holds 3 pairs of shoes and the one for the girls holds a ton. (Brian likes to call these the black hole for shoes)

Finley has decided that she is growing up a little. We've rearranged her dresser and closet to easier access of her clothes plus it lets her have more independence. With all this said, she loves dressing herself and with this you've got to make sure you look good right? So we added this cute mirror to her room. I love the shape, very girly. We've also updated her bedding a little and I absolutely love it! It will last for a long time and can be changed with just new pillows.

Another big change is Eliza. She's been out of her crib for a month now and she LOVES her big girl bed. I also love her bedding. Very similar to her sisters but different color scheme.

We also added this piece to Eliza's room. We went through all the girls' toys and consolidated them. This isn't my favorite looking piece but it sure does it's job. I wish I had a room I could do just as a play room but having everything close and accessible and organized will do for now.

New pillows and ottoman. Love them!

My next area's of improvement: my entryway table, my fireplace mantel, maybe repaint my front door, and I'd love to repaint rooms in my house but I don't think I'll touch that with a ten foot pole. Any ideas you want to send my way, I'd love it!

Ouch

Poor little Fin. Yesterday she was riding her razor scooter when she hit the hose on the ground and pretty much caught the cement with her face. When I saw her mouth I was pretty sure that her teeth went through her lip, but luckily not and non were loose. Despite the tears (rightfully so) she was a tough little chick. She kept asking 'What's wrong with my face? is my lip bleeding? Why does my lip feel funny?' Yes her face is still tender and her lip is triple the size it normally is but she's better today and has earned the nickname of 'duck' from her dad. I hate to say it, but it was kind of funny to watch and her lip is kind of funny but I'm so glad it wasn't worse. The pictures don't even do justice of how big her lip is.

This is last night right after.

This is today, nice battle wounds.

Lake Time

This weekend we got to go boating with some good friends of ours. Brian was so stoked to go surfing. Even though it's been 5-6 years since the last time he did it, his skills were not lost. We had a blast and despite the ten minutes of rain and cloud cover (which I think scared off most of the people out there) it turned out perfect and the girls were in heaven. This was the first time Eliza has been on a boat and she loved it. What she loved even more was playing in the water. Finley got to play with her friend and they were giggling non stop. Thanks again to our friends the Jenkins for letting us come and for the yummy BBQ!

Cousins

Today I got to watch my two nieces. It was like having two sets of twins and the girls had so much fun. We started off by eating breakfast, going on a bike ride / walk, came home and little ones took naps while the big girls hung out, next was lunch and the Dino nuggets were a hit, after was pool and trampoline time. The girls are all water animals and would have stayed out all day if I let them. It was funny that both Eliza and Ruby's swimsuit straps kept falling down and the same shoulder strap. We had a few popsicles and played some more. Next we decided we had enough sun and came in to take a lot of baths, hair doing, and then the little ones went down for another nap and the big girls wanted a movie and snacks for mellow time. Yes I even got my work in on top of all this. It was a good day, now for tonight, a much needed one on one date with my hubby!