Ore to Shore Mountain Bike Epic 2012: Part 1

Three weekends ago, we made our way for the fourth year in a row to Negaunee, Michigan to cheer on our favorite mountain bikers at the start of the Ore to Shore Mountain Bike Epic.  It was a regular Hanes family reunion as most of Ted's immediate family made their way from five different states to watch the great battle of the brothers.

The year 2009 was the first year they competed in this race together and it's become a tradition, with the exception of last year, for the family to come together for a week of vacation in the beautiful Upper Peninsula of Michigan in anticipation of race day.  This year, we all met up for the first time on race day and spent the next week on vacation, a much more relaxed alternative to vacationing the week before the race.

We made our way to our cabin for the week on Friday morning, so we could be there in time for the early morning start of race day on Saturday.  As I unpacked and let the kids roam around our "trip home", Ted made his way to Marquette to register for the race.  After a delicious dinner back at the cabin, we all settled down early to get a good night's rest before race day.

The morning of the race, I woke up to this beautiful view on the lake right outside our cabin.  We stayed at a beautiful little cabin that was part of a small resort right on a beautiful Little Lake, the same place we stayed at in 2010, but this year we had our own three bedroom place to call home.  It was so nice to have our own space for the kids to nap and to have some quiet time alone as a family of four (before there are five!).

After eating a hearty breakfast, preparing a picnic lunch, and packing up the van, we headed to Negaunee for the start of the race.  The kids and I wandered around until we found the rest of Ted's family and spent some time with them as we waited for the race to begin.  After hearing the National Anthem and a gun shot start, they were off - all 600-700 some racers!

We then made our way to the half way point of the race at one of the "feed zones" to hand off water bottles and cheer on Ted and Dave as they made their way on the 48 mile race course.  The kids were having fun playing with their cousins, aunts, and uncles and barely noticed when daddy came through.  I was excited to see him riding strong in 30th place and, as soon as he zoomed past, I made my way with the kids back to the van to continue to the finish.

The kids and I found a nice shady spot near the finish to wait for Ted.  We watched Cole House secure the title of this year's Ore to Shore winner and saw a few exciting races to the finish before the excitement of seeing Ted finish 23rd.   The kids were so excited to run up to daddy at the finish.  Valerie declared, "You fast, daddy!" while Almanzo looked up at his mud covered face and said, "You're all dirty!"  As Ted said, considering all the ups and downs of this year's race season, this was an awesome finish, especially considering how big the race is.  Way to go, Ted!

Project Life: Weeks 26 - 29

June 24 - 30

It was another hot one this week, so the kids enjoyed some fun in the pool and evening bike races up and down the driveway with daddy.  I love seeing Ted with the kids; he's like a big kid himself and they just love all the attention!  

Ted and the kids also took part in a local road race downtown.  Valerie, of course, was disappointed that it wasn't an actual race for her.  They're pros at kids' races now and they definitely like to be fast like daddy.  Unfortunately, the heat got to Ted, so he ended up dropping out within a few laps to go. 

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July 1 - 7

We always look forward to the fourth of July, because it means a day spent with family.  Every year for as long as I can remember, we have joined my grandparents for the annual parade in their small town.  When my great grandma was living downtown, we would camp out in front of her apartment and she relished in all the attention.  The best part as kids was always coming home with buckets full of candy thrown from the many participants and floats in the parade.  It's fun to watch my kids carry on the tradition and, as adults, my cousins and I now enjoy a friendly bet with our aunts and uncles over various parade entries such as how many tractors or animals.

After the parade, my grandpa grills out and we all bring delicious potluck foods to share a meal as a family.  In the past, we have gone back to my parents' house after lunch for swimming fun, but, since they are selling their house, we instead set up a little kiddie pool under the shade of a backyard tent at my grandparents' home.  Our daughter had a blast playing with my cousin, Nora, who is just one year older than her, as well as my cousin Stacy's daughter, Nina, who is one year younger.  The three of them were like the three musketeers all afternoon.  I, of course, enjoyed the air conditioning of my grandparents' home, a much needed relief from the humidity.

That night, we decided to stay overnight at my parents' house so I could attend a wedding the next day of a high school friend.  I was also able to enjoy a much needed visit with my cousin's wife, Julie, whose friendship has been a huge blessing to me.  We spent hours talking over coffee and tea at Starbucks until the workers started cleaning up around us...and then we merely moved the conversation to a bench along the sidewalk of downtown.  Julie also happens to be friends with the bride and was in town to stand up in the wedding.  The wedding was beautiful, but probably the hottest day of the year.  I enjoyed reconnecting with another high school friend, but was more than happy to return to the air conditioning of my parents' home.

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July 8 - 14

This summer, we've enjoyed many nights grilling out and eating dinner on our deck.  It is one of my favorite things about this house, along with the quiet little backyard space we call our own.  One night this week, we decided to have ice cream for dessert.  It was a good thing we had dessert outdoors, because the kids made a huge mess.  But they sure did enjoy the ice cream!

I was able to reconnect with yet another high school friend this week along with her three sons.  Savanna and her husband, Greg, have been in Hawaii for the last four years, because Greg is in the Navy.  This year, they moved to the Navy base in Florida, making the trek back to Wisconsin a bit more doable.  Greg had already returned back to the base by the time Savanna and I planned a visit, but it was still good to catch up with her and see how much their boys have grown.  I think the last time we saw each other was the summer I was pregnant with Almanzo!

Our week ended with a fun visit to the zoo and a birthday celebration for our Sweet Pea and my sister, Melissa.  The kids were mesmerized by the animals; Almanzo spent the day chattering away and telling us all the animal sounds he knew while Valerie just quietly took it all in and then exploded with chatter on the way home.  They talked about their day at the zoo for the entire week after!

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July 15 - 21

Sunday afternoon, we headed back to my parents' house for a visit with my aunt and uncle from Utah.  My dad's only brother, Steve, moved there with his family when I was in middle school and it's probably been at least ten years since I last saw them.  It was so funny to see my dad and his brother together; they are so alike, it's scary!  I enjoyed catching up with my aunt Lynn and cousin Amanda too.

Valerie's birthday celebration continued as presents arrived from Ted's family in the mail and we took a trip to Target so she could spend her birthday money from aunt Melissa.  She kept telling me she had lots of happy to yous and always reminded her brother it was her birthday this time.

The end of the week began with an unexpected trip to the cell phone store.  Almanzo decided to break Ted's phone in half right before he left for work on Friday.  Of course, we've had the same phones for over four years and I was anxious to at least get a text messaging friendly phone.  We ended up going with a prepaid cell phone that offers unlimited talk, text, and data for only $10 more than we were paying for our old talk only cell phone plan.  So far, we've been happy with our new phones, but the kids are under strict orders not to play with mommy or daddy's phones.

Project Life: Weeks 22 - 25

May 27 - June 2

This week started out with a dinner date with my love by his suggestion.  My parents have been a huge support to us as parents, always offering to take care of our little ones so we can enjoy some much needed time for just the two of us.  We've been blessed with two sets of parents who set beautiful examples of what it means to cherish and nourish a marriage and we want to follow that example to have a long and lasting marriage too. 

We went to dinner at Red Robin and I was super excited to find out they serve gluten free buns for their sandwiches.  Afterwards, Ted humored me by doing a little shopping at my favorite store, Target. 

We also enjoyed an impromptu family beach day.  The kids had a blast playing in the sand and chasing the waves.  The bitter cold water didn't stop our fearless daughter from wading in almost to her waist! 

On Memorial Day Monday, the kids and I enjoyed watching the parade downtown and then relaxing at home before a family bike ride in the evening.  We biked all the way to Lakeside Park where we had to take shelter from a sudden rainstorm.  Watching the storm over the lake was a beautiful sight to see and a reminder of how great our God is.

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June 3 - 9

We had our first open house this weekend, which only resulted in a curious neighbor walking through our house.  I tried to remind myself that it was good to start the week with a clean house, but that, of course, didn't last long with two toddlers in the house.  I'm beginning to think we'll never sell our house.  Sigh.

This week was election time in Wisconsin, so I made sure to take the kids with me to the polls.  They were fascinated with everything.  I still remember my mom taking me to vote with her when I was little and it instilled in me the importance of making my voice heard and the privilege we have to vote in our country.  Almanzo told me on the way back home, "Mommy, you boated?"

We celebrated my brother's birthday this week and the kids were excited to sing "happy to you" to their uncle Dan.  He sure does love his niece and nephew and it's obvious that they adore him too! 

The kids are enjoying their bikes too.  From the moment they wake up until bedtime, all they talk about is riding their bikes! I think Almanzo would sleep with his if he could.  Haha!

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June 10 - 16

It was a quiet week here, but we did enjoy a visit with friends.  It's been really hot and humid out lately, so the kids enjoyed playing with their friends in their little pool while the mommies enjoyed some visiting time. 

And, of course, every other free moment was spent watching the kids race their bikes up and down the driveway.  Almanzo already has his daddy's love of adventure; no obstacle stands in the way of him and his bike!  He spent one afternoon figuring out how to go up and down the cement step to the front porch on his bike. 

He is definitely all boy, finding dirt and bugs everywhere we go.  His big sister often asks him to stomp on bugs that she is afraid of.  So, while we were playing outside one day this week, he found a huge ant pile and giggled as he stomped around squashing all the ants.  Sometimes, he will carry a half squished bug to me and say, "here, mommy!"  Oh dear!

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June 17 - 23

We spent Father's Day cheering on our favorite mountain biker.  I am so blessed to share this parenting journey with a man who so beautifully embraces his role as husband, daddy, and leader in our home.  The kids adore their daddy and he equally adores them. 

I'm officially 6 months pregnant this week and baby is growing like crazy!  Valerie often tells me, "mommy, your baby belly is BIG!"  It's so sweet to hear the kids talk about their baby brother and call him by the name we've chosen.  Every night, before bed, they make sure to give my belly a kiss and say good night to him.  There will definitely be no shortage of love in our home!