Hudson at the Y

Last week was the family's first official cyclocross race of the year. I wrote a little about it before but here are a few more pictures of Paul and the boys' race.



We are off to another race tomorrow - it should be a bit warmer and definitely drier than last week! 

Hooked

Yesterday we spent the day at another bike race.

It was not as warm as we thought but luckily I packed warm clothes for the boys. We watched Paul race and then the big event:

the kids' race!

Emmit barely could contain himself he was so excited to race. Gerrit was sure he was going to take first place. They did part of the course and even had their own barrier (shorter than regulation height). All 5 kids received medals and Gerrit ended up 2nd if you really want to know. 

This is what Gerrit spend the better part of a 1/2 hour doing today after church. 

It was his idea, he just needed a little help from dad setting up the barriers. If Emmit had seen this, he would have been out there too! At least he's outside getting exercise (and practicing up for next week's race).

The Big E just got Bigger

A few new milestones at our house these last few weeks:


Yes, Emmit is potty trained (90%). I didn't take many pictures of him during his 'training' days and thought I should have a few. This is my favorite when he sits backwards on the toilet. He rarely does this now as he's a big boy and stands up (I prefer sitting - less of a mess).  Needless to say, we took the changing table down this weekend (bittersweet for me, not for Adam). Emmit's room is starting to look like a big boy room - finally. It won't be done until summer (I have some furniture to paint), but I'm excited to get the finishing touches done.

Another 'milestone' - Emmit can sit and watch a movie for a long period of time. Actually, I wouldn't call it a milestone, rather funny that he always asks for headphones and its always the same movie: The Lorax. He pretty much owns this DVD player and movie but when I need time to get stuff done and now worry about him - I am more than happy to turn this on!

 

My baby is getting big and definitely has a different personality than his brother. It is fun watching them play together (nicely) as well as grow into their own person.

Let the Season Begin!

I realize I am lacking (again) in blog updates. Part of the reason it seems all we do is play football and you can only have so many posts about football. I realize our summer consisted of BMX and swimming based on the blog posts.

The other reason is SCHOOL!
Yes, Gerrit loves school - especially PE (which the first week of school he hated). He is working on learning site words to read and enjoys all that school has to offer (including convincing his dad to go to the homecoming game when it was 40 out).

I am trying to stay afloat with school myself. My classes are good and I'm adjusting to teaching middle school and a little elementary. The elementary is not my favorite time of the day, but I survive.
It is trying to get all my grad school work done before due dates that is tough. I not only sit in class o Wednesday nights (and stay at my friend Sue's overnight), but have papers etc to write on top of my everyday life. Needless to say, there is not much down time for me but it's only for the school year and I'll be done (that is what I keep telling myself). I can't wait to have my 'free time' back!

Anyways, besides school, Adam has started his season of racing. We just finished BMX (even though they are still racing, we are not going to try and do both) and Adam just started last week. It was a beautiful day so we all went to cheer him on (even though we did not see much of the course because of they way it was laid out).
Notice the look on Adam's face - its the same look on every other picture of him racing. The difference - the kit. Yep, TEAM BEAT is an official team - Adam is president and Paul Dahlen (15 yr old) is vice. My brother Jeff designed the kit and we love that Adam (and the rest of the guys on Team Beat) stick out from the rest. Yes, it is MSU green, but frankly, not too many teams have these colors which is why we went with them.

 

From now until December, our weekends will consist of a bike race, either on Saturday or Sunday. I have become a fair weather fan and will stay home (with Emmit) if the weather is questionable.