Wine Country Century

This past weekend Dan and I rode in the Wine Country Century. I had to decided to attempt my first 100K ride. Usually I choose the 30 mile option for these rides, but I wanted to try something a little more challenging. I didn't have a lot of time for training, but I did get a couple of 40 mile rides in before the big day and did a little bit of hill training. Dan reassured me that I was prepared, but I wasn't so sure. Especially since I had heard about a big scary hill near the end of the ride.

Last year when we did this ride, it was pouring rain. So when we woke up Saturday morning and it was sunny and beautiful, it was already an improvement over last year. We grabbed some breakfast at Starbucks, loaded up our bikes, camelbaks, water bottles, gu, etc. and headed over to meet for our group photo. Dan was doing the 100 mile ride so he got started right away. I waited until about 8:00 then I got started as well.

The first half of the ride we were riding into the wind. And I forgot my allergy meds. Needless to say, every stop was spent endlessly sneezing. The first stop was after only ten miles. I grabbed a piece of banana and a quarter of a PB&J and we headed back out. The next stop was at mile 32 and it was our lunch break. They really know how to take care of the cyclists. They had made to order deli sandwiches, bananas, oranges and strawberries, chips, nuts, a variety of cookies and fig bars, even m&ms. Plus they have a drop bag system, mechanics and first aid available at each stop, they even provide sunscreen! I had a sandwich and hung out for a good 30 minutes before getting back on my bike. Oh, also I was following the recommended plan of taking a gu (gu chomps in my case) every ten miles.

After lunch we had a tailwind, which was very nice. We were going faster without having to work as hard. I enjoyed riding through the beautiful scenery, passing many wineries and vineyards. The third and final rest stop was at mile 46, just before Chalk Hill. They had "chalk hill sliders," a banana slice with a dollop of peanut butter and some m&ms. Mmm. Just what I needed before the scary hill. After we turned on Chalk Hill Rd. I kept thinking "maybe that was the hill." Which was funny, because once I was really on the hill, it was clear. I was kind of nervous about making it up and even asked if anyone ever got off their bike and walked it up the hill (some people do). But, I was able to make it all the way to the top without getting off my bike! At one point a nice guy passed me and said "you still have one more gear left." To which I replied, "I'm saving it!" The climb is a mostly 7-8% grade with a small section of 12% at the very top. The entire climb is less than a mile, but it was still the longest climb I had ever done. At the very top I let out a "Whoo!" and had a goofy grin as I sped down the other side. There were only about 9 miles left to the finish and I knew I was going to make it.

Once I made it to the finish line around 2:00 I just walked around feeling really happy. I know it sounds silly, but I was just happy. I changed clothes, then walked to get some frozen yogurt with my friend, then got a 20 minute massage while I waited for Dan to finish his 100 miles. When he was finished we had a celebratory beer, ate a yummy dinner (also provided by the organizers of the ride), and then headed home. It was a very fun way to spend a Saturday!


Just after the first rest stop on Wohler Bridge

Some grapevines along the way

Stopping for lunch

After-race beer

8 years

Today is our wedding anniversary. Dan and I have been married for 8 years. We got a chance to go out and celebrate on Saturday, since his mom was visiting and was available to watch the kids. We went to the Melting Pot and had a wonderful evening. We were going to try and go to a movie too, but somewhere in the last 8 years we got old! I can't stay awake long enough to see a movie that starts at 10 anymore.



Anyway, I would like to take this opportunity to publicly declare that I have the best husband ever. I don't know how I got so lucky and I should probably make more public declarations of my love for him. When I think back on what we've been through together in the past 8 years it brings tears to my eyes. We were so young and yet through our life experiences we've matured together. We have created the most amazing family and we are so happy. We've learned that we really can get through even the most difficult situations as long as we are together. Thank you God, for my amazing husband!

A New Dog House

Dan worked hard on building a dog house for our two doggies all weekend. Since we got new furniture and new carpet they have been outside dogs. This weekend was the first rainy and cold weather we've had and we want the to be warm this winter. So Dan went to the hardware store and bought all the supplies he needed to construct a fabulous dog house big enough for both doggies. Drew helped too! Some of the deluxe features include a raised, carpeted floor and a hinged roof so we can replace their big soft pillows. We still need to paint it, but the dogs were sleeping happily in their new house last night.

Super carpenter Dan

The frame is built

Drew helps with the construction

He wanted me to take a picture of him!

Finished dog house, with dogs inside

We're Back!

We're back from our cruise and it was wonderful!

We had a great time eating, drinking, going to shows, going to dinner and sleeping through the night with no interruptions! We snorkeled, played bingo, laid in the sun, went down the big water slide, ate, made new friends, spent some time at the spa, did a little gambling, a lot of drinking, and even worked out together. Oh, and Dan won the genius contest, which should be no surprise to anyone who knows him. You'll have to ask him to show you his trophy.

I thought four days was the perfect amount of time on the boat. I don't know if I would have wanted to stay much longer than that. I even started to miss the kids. Although I wouldn't have wanted them on the cruise with us. Every time I saw a family with kids, I just thought to myself, "I'm glad I'm not doing that!" Although the kids were very excited to see us when we got home (and we were excited to see them too!), Ava quickly reminded us why we loved our vacation so much. She had a screaming tantrum at bedtime at Grandma's house and cried for about an hour of the seven-hour car ride home today. Vacation's over!

Practicing in case the ship went down!

Our cabin, complete with towel monkey

At the Captain's dinner

On the catamaran, the Elation is in the background

On the way back from Cabo, a little tipsy

New friends at our table for dinner

Happy Birthday Dan!

Yesterday was Dan's 30th birthday! He celebrated by getting up at 6 am, leaving the house at 7 and driving up to Tahoe. Then he and his buddy Pete rode their bikes the 74 miles around the lake! Six and a half hours later, including some breaks and a flat tire change, they were on their way back to Sacramento. When they got here we had some friends over for a backyard BBQ. The food was amazing, thanks to my cousin Heather and her husband John. We had tri-tip, corn/tomato/avocado/black bean salad, green salad with dried cherries & goat cheese, watermelon cubes with lime zest, roasted asparagus and lemon cupcakes with creamcheese frosting for dessert. The weather was a little warm, but everyone had fun watching the kids play outside and toasting with some delicious beverages.

Happy Birthday to the best husband and father of my children I could have hoped for! I love you forever!



Oh, but it doesn't end there.

It's always after a really fun day that something crappy happens at night. And so it was last night. My cousins spent the night last night after the party so they didn't have to make the drive home to Oakland. Around 3:30 am John got a phone call from Heather's brother. He said that someone had called him from Heather's phone and told him that they stole her car and her ipod. Heather & John called the police right away and then woke us up. Once we turned off the house alarm and went outside, we saw that the car was still there, but had been broken into. They did take the phone, the charger, and the IPOD. They also stole our mail that we hadn't picked up that day. So we filed another police report and were awake until 5:00 am. I'm starting to think our neighborhood isn't so safe...

The River

I took the kids on a walk down to the American River yesterday. They rode in our new bike carrier (speaking of which, we just got our reimbursement check from the insurance company in the mail today-yay!). We spent a couple of hours there eating lunch and throwing rocks into the river. It amazes me how long they will stand there throwing rocks, but I guess it's the only chance they have to throw anything without getting in trouble. There were also some ducks and geese that swam by and stopped to see if we had any snacks for them.

"We're ready for the river mom, stop taking our picture!"

On the way back they were being pretty silly. Ava kept pushing her face into the mesh cover and shouting "hi mommy!" at me. Then she started pressing her face against the vinyl windows, and I got this lovely photo:

She just cracks me up! Both kids pushed their little feet through the velcro opening and I snapped a cute picture of their tiny toes!


Dan is also riding in his first century today. It is in Sonoma County and he spent the night last night so he'd be ready to ride this morning. He just called and he finished riding 100 miles in six and a half hours! What a superstar! Congratulations Dan! We are proud of you!

Snowboarding!

Dan and I got to go up to the mountains to snowboard today! I haven't been at all yet this season so I was very excited to try my new board and boots. We had a fabulous day! The weather was beautiful this morning, but got a little cold and cloudy in the afternoon. Our friends Jeff and Pete met us up there and we had a lot of fun! The kids had a great time at Aunt Marie's house visiting with her and Grandma Honey.

When we got home we had messages from three hospitals! UC Davis called to remind us of our appointment on Friday, UCSF called to set up our developmental evaluation, and Stanford called to schedule surgery. Of course they called when we weren't home! So I will call them back tomorrow and hopefully we will have a date. It was so nice to have some alone time with Dan today, especially since things may be getting a little complicated here soon.

Self Portrait on the lift

Jeff & Pete

Enjoying a beer after our fun day in the snow

Feeling Better

I had two days of crying plus a lot of prayer and I am feeling a lot better today.

I have the best husband ever! After being gone for four days in New York I returned home and was a total wreck. I couldn't cook, I couldn't clean, I could barely care for the children. And he just kept right on truckin'. He made dinners, cleaned up and helped so much with the kids. And when I called home crying, saying I was sorry I couldn't be a good mom and wife right now, he just said "What are you talking about? Don't even say that." I love him so much. God really gave me the perfect partner in Dan.

Today we have been busy. I think that is the key to my sanity. If I don't have time to sit and think I will be ok. This morning we had gymboree preschool. The only reason Drew goes to gymboree preschool is it is the first class of the day--everything is clean. And, there are only two other kids in his class, limiting our exposure to germs. And I get 45 minutes to go to Starbucks or Target or read a magazine by myself. After gymboree Drew had his first day of school! OK, so its adaptive PE held at the elementary school that he will be going to eventually and its only for a half hour, but still! He went by himself with the teacher and I had to sit and wait for him in the office. Then we came home where a friend joined us for a picnic lunch in the sunshine. I've also resumed some of my normal household duties and I'm starting to think maybe I could use cleaning as something I can control. I will throw myself into keeping a clean house and it will be spotless because I will be in charge! A nice change from Drew's health where I can only pretend to be in charge.

I talked to someone from UCSF yesterday about how to prepare Drew for his cath on Tuesday. She said to play with our doctor kit, read Franklin Goes to the Hospital, and tell him on Monday that we'll be going to the hospital. She also told me to let him help pick what to pack in his suitcase, and let him bring special pillows, blankets, or toys. And a DVD player with his favorite movie. We'll be able to stay with him until he is asleep and be with him when he wakes up. I am feeling better about the whole process and I am looking forward to having it behind us. It will be good to know when surgery will be so that we can plan other things. For example, we have two weddings and three graduations (including my own) during a two-week time span in the beginning of June. It will be nice to know if we'll be able to attend any or all of these events.