Up North

Adam thought it would be fun to get away for the weekend and go to northern WI for a bike race with Dahlens. I thought a weekend away couldn't hurt us and was looking forward to it until it came time to packing! Ugg. Luckily we said we weren't bringing any food so I had one less thing to worry about - I still packed snacks for those unexpected moments of dire hunger by the 3 yr old (or the boys too). Gerrit ended up having way too many fruit snacks and all proper diet thoughts went out the window, but we survived and had a blast!

Adam and Dave set out earlier than the rest of us. Anne drove the rest after school/practice around 5. Luker kept Gerrit busy and Paul tended to Emmit which made my travels in the car pretty easy (until the last 1/2 hour when everyone was stir crazy!). Gerrit couldn't understand why it was taking to long to get to the swimming pool!

We finally made it around 9 and of course Gerrit had to go swimming with Luker. So the boys put their suits on, except Gerrit. Adam hadn't emptied the car all the way and they left to get dinner before we arrived. So Gerrit went swimming in his boxers. It worked and no one else was in the pool. Gerrit didn't care for the big pool as much as he did the hot tub - the water was warmer in the hot tub. Good thing the hot tub was large enough that he could play on the steps with is toys and not bother others. Finally he went to bed around 10 30 (I thought Adam was going to fall asleep before Gerrit).

Gerrit woke up bright and early wanting to play golf (they had a little indoor putting green near the pool). We told him it was too early and we couldn't get the clubs yet so he had to stay in the room a bit longer. He then asked if we could go home and get his clubs so he wouldn't have to wait. Good idea, but too far to drive!

Saturday the weather was perfect (I did feel a bit guilty I wasn't home planting my garden - next weekend). Sunny and low 70s. I guess last year it snowed! We'll count our blessings this year. Paul wasn't feeling well so he didn't race. Adam lined up with the long race and started it leaving Dave back at the start waiting for the short race to begin and wondering where Adam went. A few minutes later, Adam returned to the start realizing he wasn't suppose to start yet! And so the fun began. The guys started and we packed the kids up and headed into town. Luckily the race started in our hotel parking lot and ended in the town closest to us too. By the time we got to the finish line and hung out, Dave came in (28th). He was shocked to hear/see that Adam wasn't in because he knew he didn't pass him on the course. This of course gets me worried that he either had mechanical problems (he was riding Dave's single speed) or he was injured. Neither. Dave called it and said he had to have made a wrong turn. Finally, Adam came across the finish line (looking pretty ticked off too). Sure enough, he went 4 miles out of his way! He was not a happy camper for a while. Dave thinks Adam would've finished in the top 10 had he stayed on course. After a beer and a chance to catch his breath, he got over the issue and we enjoyed ourselves watching the racers come in one by one.

Luker was excited to do the kids 3 mile race. He was registered, had his number pinned on and was doing warm up laps around us all to learn that the kids race started and he wasn't there! Dave quickly rode w/ him to where we were hearing cheers and he jumped in a minute or 2 behind everyone and rode like a mad man to catch up. He only had time to get 1 glove on so Dave carried the other back to the finish line where we waited to see how much ground he had made up starting so late. He did very well and enjoyed himself despite the late start. He (and all participants) received a medal and a coupon for free ice cream! Can't beat that.

We headed to a great brick oven pizza place near the finish line for lunch. Ohh, was that tasty! (Not quite Punch, but still good). Following pizza and of course ice cream we headed back to the hotel for swimming.

I've never played so much catch in a hot tub before! Luckily no one else was in there to bother. It did feel good to relax in a hot tub again.

Dinner was at Garmish, a nearby resort/restaurant. They are known for their bloddy mary's which the other 3 adults ordered and I stuck to my trusty diet Coke. We ate outside and the weather was still warm at 6 30! We returned to the hotel only to learn that Paul was really sick and it was a good thing he didn't race or join us for dinner. So while the guys watched a romance movie, Anne and I sat w/ Paul and monitored the boys.

Sunday we all slept in. Emmit even slept longer than usual for his morning feeding - seeing he didn't really take a long nap on Sat. it was good he slept as well and as hard as he did. Gerrit too slept in till 7. He didn't have a nap and with as much as we did the past 24 hours, he needed the sleep. So at 8 Luke and Gerrit were in the pool and I sat with Anne watching them. Adam and Dave brought us breakfast from town - a gas station special b/c the grocery store didn't open till 9. It hit the spot and beat waiting for our food at the hotel restaurant like we had to on Sat. We casually packed up and headed home. The guys were going to go for a ride one more time but I think the race took enough out of them that they just wanted to get home.

We each took our own families in our own cars on the way back. Gerrit was mad he couldn't ride with Luke and Paul but we felt it be best if he didn't due to Paul's recent illness (he was feeling better this am). Both boys traveled very well coming home. Emmit slept most of the time which he probably was making up from Saturday's little sleep, and Gerrit too took a good nap. It was another beautiful day for traveling and getting home at a decent time allowed for playing outside before bed.

I don't know where the camera is so I'll have to post pictures later. This week will be interesting as Adam is out of town Tues/Wed. Luckily the boys and I will be going over to Dahlen's on Tues. for dinner to make it easier on me. With beautiful weather predicted all week, I know I'll be outside most evening managing Gerrit and trying to keep Emmit happy!