T-Rex Tri and Maybury Time Trial, another 2 race week

This week was a pretty big week. It had a bit of a rough start, but by midweek things were going great with the T-Rex tri and then finished up with the Maybury Time Trial.

On Monday, We did have a little fun outside with bubbles since it was a very nice day. Once Ryan got home, we went to Maybury and I was able to get in a short run while Ryan rode. Keira was also able to ride her bike.




That evening, I was pretty wiped out from the weekend. The stress of having my whole presidency gone for both an activity followed by a Sunday alone was a bit much. I was stressed, and really overwhelmed about looking forward to having to have yet another Sunday all by myself. My ankle is still bothering me, and I have two races this week. The kids must have picked up on my stress because there was a ton of tension in the house. Keira was acting out over the weekend and it continued through today, and I was having trouble dealing with it. I also have the Primary program looming ahead, which is something that I dreaded working on since I was called. I couldn't sleep and just decided that I just need a getaway of some sort.

On Tuesday, I was still feeling pretty down, but thankfully was able to get together with Valerie, Katie, and Luke at Heritage Park. We just played on the playground today, but had a great time.





I also picked up my packet for the T-Rex race, which will likely be my last tri of the year.

That evening, I met with our Bishop to get some help with the Program, and thankfully he was able to help me delegate a bunch of it out and we will not have to move the date, as I was fearing. I just can't wait until it is over.

Wednesday was the big day of the T-Rex race in Brighton. We kept the day low key, and both of my parents came into town for it. It was a great race, and I had a lot of friends competing. Kris and Linda also came out for it. I had a PR for the race by 3 minutes from last month, and each leg of the race were also PRs. I finally put together a decent swim (for me). I got out of the water and was not so terribly behind everyone as usual. I was able to catch Colleen on the bike, but then lost her again, but at least I knew where she was. I caught up with her quickly on the run, and finished in 1:21:42.
Me, Valerie, Jennifer, and Will before the start.

Valerie and I on the beach before the start:

Walking into the water:

The start of the swim:

Coming out of the water:

On the bike:

Running towards the finish line:

Linda, Keira, Soren, and my dad:

Post race pictures, Colleen and I:

I made the ad!

Valerie and I post race:

Keira

Ryan and Soren

The Northville Ward Tri ladies: Jennifer, Valerie, Me, and Barb. Everyone had a PR today.

Me and Cristina. Neither of us actually raced in our gear today, but put it on after.

Me, Erin (overall female winner for the series), and Cristina. Cristina won her age for both today's race and the series.

I placed 4th in my age, and 2nd in my age for the series. The awards were pretty nice too! We finished off the night with dinner at Bagger Daves with my parents and Ryan's parents. Keira and Soren did great considering how late it was.

On Thursday, we had a lazy morning, and Soren was too tired to do anything. My mom and I did some shopping with just ourselves while my dad stayed and played with Keira. She requested to stay and play with Grandpa while Soren napped. He woke up in time for us to go to lunch before they headed back home.
That night, Ryan rode the race course at Maybury with Rob and Eric. I was able to get in a couple miles once they were done, but I didn't do nearly the whole thing. I was still pretty tired from my race. I had given pretty much everything I had and wasn't ready to do too much today. Keira and Soren had fun playing at Maybury. Keira got going pretty fast today on her bike on a downhill. She kept her balance for a long time and didn't crash, but it did scare her a bit. She will be ready for a bike with pedals in no time.




On Friday, we didn't do a lot either in the morning. We hung out at home to get the place cleaned up a bit. I had a meeting in the afternoon with my brand new Primary Secretary, who would be helping me out a ton. She wasn't even sustained yet. We had a great meeting, and I feel a ton better. I really have not had a full presidency hardly at all this past year, and there is a reason why 4 people are supposed to be doing all the work and not 3. I have a feeling things will get better from here on out.
That evening, we went back over to Maybury so the Ryan and Rob could scope out some changes to the race course. I watched Ron's son Collin on the playground while they did their investigation. The kids had a great time. Collin is very adventurous, and Keira ended up climbing up a bit too high for her liking today.







Saturday was the big day of the Maybury Time Trial. We have had really bad luck with the weather for mountain bike races, and this was no exception. It started sprinkling as Ryan was leaving the house. He left a bit earlier than everyone else to get things set up and to keep the kids occupied a bit longer indoors out of the rain. The race is a time trial format, with each racer having their own start time, and riders are grouped by class and age group. We met up with Rob and Eric from Ryan's tree farm team as well as Bill, Jen, and Liam, whom I know from the gym. Ryan started early in the day, and did awesome. Not only did he win his age, but he also won the entire Sport division! He received a check for that prize. Ryan didn't wear his Wolverine Jersey for the actual race since it was so wet and muddy out there, but changed for awards. Since it was raining or overcast, a lot of our action shots were too blurry in the low light.
Ryan is waiting for his turn to start.
Ryan is leaving the starting gate. It was chip timed, and he is crossing the mat right now.
Rob is approaching the finish line. He finished 4th in his age.
Ryan is coming into the finish line.
Ryan post race.

Keira was up next, and she did the kids non-competitive race. Keira and Liam both raced. Keira got a bit stressed again this year at the finish line with everyone cheering her on, and had to be carried. She did enjoy the actual biking, though.
Keira with Liam before the start:
Ryan guided Keira through the course. Keira noticed the rocks and roots to go over on the path.
Soren needed a number anyway.

After the kids race, Bill started, and I was able to get a group shot of Ryan's Wolverine friends who were also racing today.
Tim, Ryan, Fabrice, and his daughter

Then, it was my turn and I was racing in beginner. I started off pretty quick and was only passed by one lady. She started much after me which meant she was going pretty fast. I had not been waved to go in any direction at an intersection, so I lost a few seconds at one point, and I also fell down a couple times, but nothing too bad. It had gotten a lot wetter on the trail by my turn, so I had gotten pretty grimy. I ended up placing second in my age, which was also second in my division, so I got a smaller amount.

Here I am before the start:
I am leaving the starting gate:
It was raining, so Ryan needed to keep the kids in our tent for my finish, but here is my finish:
I was pretty muddy, and I had gone down a couple of times.
We stayed for the award ceremonies: Eric received 3rd in his age group.
Ryan receiving his award:
There was a bit of a wait until my awards. Soren was getting so tired.

Me receiving my award:
We also got a ton of free stuff from the raffle and catching things in the crowd. We really cleaned up as a family at this race. It looks like we may be moving up a class each next year.

Sunday wasn't nearly as stressful today as it was last Sunday. I had a lot more help lined up, and things went pretty smoothly. They appeared smooth last Sunday too, but the stress level wasn't as high to get there. Valerie conducted for me, my new secretary was sustained so she was there, and I had one of the young women to help cover a class where needed. I actually got a couple pictures of Keira and Soren in their church clothes today.


And after:


We also went over to Kris and Linda's for dinner with Greg, Ellyn, and their children. The kids had fun, but we could tell they were pretty worn out as they were all very sad to leave tonight.

Up for next week, I start physical therapy for my ankle, so hopefully I will know if I can plan anything else substantial for the rest of the season.

Greenfield Village with Grandma and Picnics!

This week was another fun week. My mom was here until Tuesday morning, and we went to Greenfield Village with her. We also had another Primary Activity, and it was at the Detroit Temple. One of Soren's major accomplishments this week is that he can get in and out of his crib by himself.

On Monday, we spent the day at Greenfield Village with my mom, Linda, Ellyn, and the cousins. There are a zillion pictures. We spent most of the day there, and everyone had a great time. Everyone was pretty well exhausted by the time we got home, so that was pretty much it for the day. The weather was suspect, so Ryan stayed in as well once he got home from work.
(slideshow coming)



On Tuesday, Grandma went back home, and we took the Escape in for an oil change. They had a very long wait, so we walked back home and played with bubbles until it was ready. Keira and Soren were very happy to play with their new bubble fans. All of our bubble makers from last year have stopped working, so the new ones were much appreciated.





After we picked up the Escape, met up with Valerie, Katie, and Luke for lunch. When I went to get Soren up from his nap today, he was curled up in a little ball on the floor on his blanket. He had gotten out of his crib by himself. That evening, Ryan did a lap of Maybury before heading to scouts. We opted to stay home since there would not be time to be dropped off before scouts, and went to the pool instead. It was super hot all day long, and felt really great.




On Wednesday, we went to the gym and then errands. Keira and Soren always have such a good time playing at and around the gym.





That night, I went to my TIA workout and was able to bike and then run. I was really pleased because I was not terribly uncomfortable. I did have a couple near misses with cyclists, though. The first was when I was running. I was turning around on the path at the same time a woman tried to pass me. I didn't hear her call out that she was trying to pass until it was too late. Thankfully, we were both ok. My second near miss was due to a man who nearly hit Valerie's car when he came off the bikepath into the road onto the wrong side of the road. He thought he would get back on the right side of the road after her car had passed, but didn't look to see that I was right behind her. I had observed his poor judgement as he entered the road initially, so kept an eye on him. It wasn't that much of a shock that he nearly hit me too.

On Thursday, we had super music day. We started the morning at Kindermusik.



We went straight from Kindermusik to Linda's school for a special presentation by "The Music Lady". It was pretty loud, and Keira and Soren had fun.


They were very excited to be at Nana's school. We had lunch with her as well. Keira went home with Nana, and I took Soren home to nap. Keira and Linda made cookies for us to take to Ryan's picnic tomorrow. We met back up with Keira and Linda at Maybury so that Cristina and I could ride a lap. That evening, Ryan rode with his Thursday night group. He had just come home from biking when we heard the kids' bedroom door open, and then Soren came downstairs exclaiming, "Out Self" with so much pride. It was pretty cute. We aren't quite ready to take the front off the crib yet, but we will probably soon. We need to do a little more organization of Keira's toys to make sure that there aren't any that Soren can get into himself that he shouldn't. He will also take every wipe and diaper out of their boxes as well.

On Friday, we had Ryan's company picnic. It was at a park on Hines Drive, and is always a great time. It is smaller and smaller every year due to people leaving the company and people being on launches, but there were still several people that I knew there. It is a fun family event, and Tammy does a great job of keeping the children entertained. Tug of War used to be a big event for the men, but this year just the kids did it. Soren LOVED it. He had no clue that he wasn't as old or big as the other kids. Keira did not like it at all.



Keira enjoyed getting her face painted.

She also got her hair beaded.
Soren loved playing with the ice water tubs keeping the bottled water cold. He was soaking wet by the time we were ready to leave.



On Saturday, Ryan had his regular Wolverine ride. I took Keira and Soren to the Detroit Temple for the Primary Activity, which was a picnic lunch and then tour of the grounds. The day was a bit stressful for me. Keira announced that she wasn't feeling very well right before we needed to leave (and after Ryan had already left). I was the only one from the presidency in town, so there really wasn't any choice but to still go. I had told them this picnic would be different from yesterday's picnic, and we were planning on bringing McDonald's drive through to eat. This was not a very good plan. When I stopped at the McDonalds just before the freeway from our house, they were still serving breakfast. I didn't get too worried, and figured I would pass another McDonalds somewhere between there and the temple. Amazingly, that was not the case. We had to detour south in search of a McDonalds. I was really thankful that I had planned to be there early, because we had to drive several miles south before we found one, and again, it was still serving breakfast! I was very annoyed, and finally found an Arby's to get a kids meal and headed back. Thankfully, once we got to the Temple, everything fell into place. Sister Schilling spoke to everyone in the Stake Center next door, and then lead us around the grounds. She encouraged all the children to touch the outside of the temple, so that it could touch them spiritually.







We got home, and Ryan was just finishing up his ride. I ran 7 miles today, and it didn't feel too bad. I am not 100%, but when Ryan asked how my ankle felt, I just said it didn't feel much worse than the other. Keira had a major meltdown while Soren was napping, and ended up needing a nap for herself. Ryan went out to do some browsing for his birthday presents and picked up some take out for everyone on his way back.

Sunday was another stressful day. I am not sure if we have just done too much this week or what, but Keira and Soren were just really struggling at church today. I was a bit nervous because I was again the only one from the presidency in town, so perhaps it was rubbing off on them too. Church hadn't even started yet when Soren fell off a bench and hit his head on the hymnal holder in the chapel, giving him a decent scrape, bump, and bruise on this face. I heard him screaming from the Primary room as I was finishing getting things ready. We spent most of the first hour in the hallway with squirrelly children. Thankfully, things went great in the Primary room. We came home and everyone tried to get some rest. Ryan grilled up some salmon for dinner and I made my triathlon cheesecake for dessert.


Up for next week: I have my final triathlon of the T-Rex series and Ryan and I both have the Maybury Time Trial mountain bike race. It should be another big week!