Too Close to Home

Wow, even after moving to Boise, this feels way too close to home. Gavin played baseball with David Stevens, and I use to babysit him. Guy is still a very close friend of Gavins and emailed him the link below. They both live on our old street in Belfair. I don't recognize the parents in the newsclip. Scary world we live in.



http://www.king5.com/video/featured-index.html?nvid=139008&shu=1

25-10

They've still got it. Ground Force won thier game last night and it was fun watching them. Jim made some really nice hits and decided to play catcher to save his legs.

Trampoline Antics

Batter Batter Batter

It was a chilly weekend for Jim's first softball tournament. They lost the first game, won the second, lost the third. As it got colder and colder instead of warmer and warmer, I was kind of glad they didn't have to go back and play Sunday. Sunday turned out to be even more miserable with drizzle added to the mix. I'm always happy when Jim finishes a tounament without getting hurt. There are some really good players on his team this year and it will be fun to watch them come together as the season progresses. They play again Wednesday night.

Paddy's Photos

I've added a new link to my blog that will take you to my brother Pat (Paddy)s gallery of personal photos. I've watched his photography improve each year as he spends more and more time perfecting his techniques. He has some beautiful pictures that are well worth the time to check out. Enjoy!

Twenty Five Mile Adventure

Gavin and I spent four hours riding along the river yesterday. We got his bike out of the bike shop this past week and have been anxiously awaiting the weekend to take a long ride. We were determined to surpass our record of twenty two miles and we did (barely) and made it a twenty five mile ride. It was an adventuresome day for sure. First off we rode by an area made for jumping. Gav stopped and made a few jumps. One of the other kids there had a horrible looking crash and I could tell he was hurt pretty bad. That was enough for me so we continued on our way. Around the eight mile mark we stopped at a little wetland area and had roasted garlic flavored hummis, tomato, lettuce sandwiches and apples that we carried in our backpack. From there we went thru two parks, one which was holding a free concert and so we were able to enjoy riding to music for a stretch. Next we rode along Warm Springs Golf Course which is very beautiful. Past the golf course quite a ways is the Shakespeare Production Company where they hold outdoor performances of Shakespeare classics. We haven't made it to one of these yet, but it is on the list of things we want to do. We trudged on past this to the turnaround point, twelve point five miles. Shortly after turning around we found a little lost puppy who was trying to cross the busy road. Our bike ride was interrupted briefly with us trying to help an elderly lady find the owner of the puppy. She ended up taking the dog to a near by neighborhood where she thought it lived. She was glad I had a cell phone and I was glad she was there to take the dog. Again, once we turned around we discovered the wind was no longer at our backs. It made for some really tough riding back. Around the fourteen mile mark we came upon a restaurant with an outdoor patio that actually invites trail riders. The Stone House looked too good to pass up. We stopped and ordered energy drinks and a plate of fried onion rings. We felt we earned it. While sitting there we discovered a raccoon nesting on top of one of the arbors near by. Gavin was able to stand on top of one of the tables and snap a picture of it. It was so cute! Once we were refueled we were anxious to get the last ten miles behind us. I had felt really good all the way until about the twenty mile mark when I started to hurt all over. At first it was my butt followed by my legs followed by my back followed by my neck until I was one big achy blob. I had to talk to myself from that point on in order to make it. I congratulated Gavin on making it all the way without one complaint. He is an awesome bike buddy and is already looking forward to our next trip. Me, I'm still waiting for my legs to uncramp.

Fun Job

My boss asked me to make some sandwiches for our accounting firm that is working long hours and who has helped us a lot these past few months. "I'm just the person for the job!" I got up this morning, cranked up the tunes (Blues on Pandora) and then, cranked out these trays. What a fun project. And they were so surprised and happy to see me with all this food. Happy Tax Day!

Come on Mom

5:00pm

Mom, lets go for a ride on the river, me on my long board, you on your bike. Oh Honey, I don't know. How about we just ride around here. Come on Mom, lets go to the river. Gee, it's really windy out there, lets just ride in the neighborhood. Come on Mom, it's the river or nothing. Your going to miss out spending time with your son. (Does he know how to push the guilt button or what)?

5:15pm - on the greenbelt by the river about three miles out...

Wow, it's beautiful out here, thanks for talking me into this. Hey, lets stop and take a break at the five mile mark and head back. Okay, but I feel like going farther. After Break-six mile mark: Let's turn back. Come on Mom, I want to go farther. I feel great! Okay but I'm turning around at the six and a half. That will make it a thirteen mile ride. Okaaaay.

Six something and finally turned around

Oh my gosh. The wind is a lot stronger going this way. Yeah, it was at our backs all the way here and that's why it felt so easy. Well, this will make us tough! Yeah!!

Ten mile mark

I don't mind telling you, I'm damn tired. Yeah I bet you are, my butt is sore. At least you get to sit down. True.

My feet hurt! Come on Gav, only two more miles. We can do it!

And so we did. Tired, yes! Happy, double yes!!