The Kinley's, the West Coast Version

Some pictures... from the last 6 months!

2009-05-10T07:20:00.005-07:00

I know people have asked for a new post, pictures, etc... So here it is! (The delay increases suspense, even if it is 6 months!)

SNOW DAY.......

2008-12-18T16:21:00.005-07:00

Snow day today for sure and then some! It has yet to stop snowing since it started yesterday in the AM. I have never in my life seen this much snow in my yard and I have lived in Ohio, Michigan, Montana, and Washington State. How much is this much? As of 3:23 PM I am at 24+ inches! Look at the pictures and see what we have going on here! Well I would love to write more, but I have another 4 or 5 inches to shovel again.

Last night around 10 PM

This AM around 9

Shoveling the driveway

Getting Oliver ready to play in his first snow storm

Susie, Oliver, Emily, and Xavier

This was actually earlier but his hair was so fun that I thought it should go up too.

Of course Isabel is here too.

Okay so we HAVE been HERE....

2008-12-16T20:22:00.009-07:00

Okay so this is way later than intended but here goes... We went to the midwest right after my last post. We stayed and had a lovely time in Indiana, Chicago and Detroit. We visited family and friends and was a whirlwind of activity including Shed Aquarium, Chicago Cubs game, wisdom teeth out (for me) and more. So here are pictures from select events after our return, including the start of the remodel of our house (the inside anyway.)
OH YEAH, the arrival of ISABEL WAS RATHER LARGE SINCE IT HAPPENED AT HOME... If you want the crazy story, call us... or e-mail.... or wait till I post it here later :)

Traveling on Amtrak Chi-Det

In Chicago (self portraits)

Old Stairway railing

Replacement for railing (work by Mr Ken Kosch)

Old Fireplace and walls

Oliver helping daddy with fireplace

Remodeled fireplace

Emily's preschoolers
WOOHOO! Whistle while you work...
Oliver's Birthday

Sunset from our deck

Halloween with the lions! (Dad and cub)

Look what I found! (yes that is a kitten)
Camping with my 7th-8th grade boys
More sunsets (the second photo courtesy of our friend Kelly Yeagle when she was here)
Bedhead!
Lighting the Advent Wreath
Oliver and Xavier before the grooming
After the groomingHERE SHE IS MEETING HER BIG BROTHER! Isabel Grace Kinley

Another Kiss from big brother

Almost there...

2008-07-10T21:04:00.014-07:00

So this will be the last post most likely from Montana as we move on Monday to Spokane, Wa. I have to work Friday, Saturday, and Sunday so it is hectic right up to moving. We are going to miss our friends, the scenery around here and being close to Glacier National Park but we are looking forward to the new opportunities.
Here are pictures from my brothers recent trip here (last week.) We had a lot of fun including hockey, rafting, and hiking.
On the hike, we saw a bear, UP CLOSE and personal. Like 15 feet in front of me close with Oliver on my back. As we were hiking uphill my brother yelled BEAR! from behind me but I did not hear him the first time. He yelled again, I stopped, picked my head up and was staring a black bear in the face. I slowly backed up, asked for the bear spray and the bear walked around us and back onto the trail where it proceeded to head towards more people. As one group decided to RUN off the trail despite my yelling instructions to them, the bear decided to run too, right at them. Fortunately the group was large enough the bear just kept on going.

AND FEATURING........ Isabel(l) Grace! We just found out we are having a girl!

3-d imaging, pretty cool!

Almost Friday...

2008-06-26T21:47:00.004-07:00

I can't believe it is almost Friday and my brother will be here in two days! (Also can't believe two posts in the same week at the rate I have been going...) So far this week I rode to work with Oliver and that was a tough go on the climb up to work but we made it and it was a nice feeling for sure.

We had a lovely dinner on Wednesday at our friends Vic and Myia. Our friends Kelly and Chris were also present and were able to enjoy the food, the wine and the Bald Eagle. Vic has a license to keep special birds and so right now he has a Bald Eagle named Gracie. She is quite majestic and I loved being around her.

Myia and Oliver

Vic, Kelly, Oliver, and Big Bird!
MAN IS THIS FUN!
Me, Oliver, and Gracie
Gracie
Chris and Oliver hanging outVic playing the flute and Oliver totally into it! (Vic is AWESOME by the way at the Native American flute.)
Oliver today having a snack.
Several weeks ago, Oliver made nice with a goat.

Spokane and other things....

2008-06-23T08:46:00.010-07:00

So it is official, we are moving to Spokane, Wa in 3 weeks from today. We have already started packing some things and had a moving sale on Saturday. These pictures are from our trip to Spokane about 2 weeks ago as well as some other pictures from activities going on here. My brother comes into town this coming weekend and we are so excited!

I am a cowboy! (more horse at the bottom of the post!)

Our new home in Spokane that we move into on July 14th.

Kitchen and dining room of the new home.

At the mall in the kids play area

Our friends' daughter Fiona, one last visit before they move to Colorado.

A different kind of swing!

Fiona, their new daughter Meghan (1 week old in this picture) and Oliver.

A little entertainment after hockey.

JUNE 10th!
Still JUNE 10th!

Kelly and Oliver after hula

I think I figured it out!

Lunch during the moving sale.
Swimming pool time!

My first set of wheels!

Rrrraagghhhh! Little monster!

Yeah, real nice mom...

At the top of Lone Pine with Oliver (about 2 mile climb)

Jessie comes to town...

2008-06-06T07:36:00.009-07:00

And a few other pictures :) Our friend Jessie came in all the way from Manhattan, New York to visit for a few days. The weather wasn't perfect but not bad.

I am trying to sleep here! (actually he is asleep)

HIGH ON LIFE :)

Jessie and Emily

Hanging out by the river waiting on the kayakers

I love you daddy
SO don't put me in the riverTalk about mischievous!
There goes a kayaker!
Ok, so I can sleep anywhere.
The river in Glacier National Park, next to Going to the Sun Road. Water is a little high right now.
The river coming down from Avalanche Lake.

On our way up to Avalanche Wake.Avalanche Lake, about a 2.5 mile hike one way.
Mountain goats at the lake.
At the end of the hike back by the river.
Jessie's last day :(

Video of Oliver

2008-05-10T19:03:00.002-07:00

Another month....

2008-05-09T09:54:00.007-07:00

Has already gone by before a new post! Well in the last month for those captivated viewers out there, I went to California to work for Milliseconds Sports Timing to help time the road race for Sea Otter Classic. My friend Eric Ewing from Spokane asked if I could go and I said yes. The hardest part was being away from my wife and son for 10 days. I sure was glad to see them when I got home.
We went rock climbing a few weeks ago with some friends and it was fantastic. Emily did awesome and we had a blast. There are some pictures of that below.
We bought our son a used Johnny Jumper and man does he love that thing. He spends a lot of time in it every day which helps us out because he can't fall over or go anywhere and he likes it. It is a win-win. Hopefully his new brother or sister will like it too.
Yes you read the correctly, we have another bun in the oven, WOOHOO! I was so excited when we found out and this one is due on December 3rd. Well on our way to having 5 children wouldn't you say?
Anyway here are some pictures from the last month.

Mushroom

I am practicing for my brother/sister

Now I am practicing making up....

I want to touch the furball!

For Robin and especially Shari! Notice the MINI :)

Monterey California

Fort Ord

For my dad, Laguna Seca at 6 AM

The awesome EM

Drinking from my cup by myself.

Johnny Jumper

I like my tongue

How about standing?

This is fun too!

New pictures!

2008-04-03T22:13:00.007-07:00

A lot of them! These are in chronological order and start at about 3rd week in Feb.

Who are you?!

I think our cat is bigger than you!

Grandma and Bob

Mimi, Great Grandma Mella, mommy and me!

Daddy?!
Oh well, I guess I will just eat him since I can't see himNo MIMI! Not the nose....
Thats it, the good stuff!
Returning from Indiana
WHAT A GREAT DAY!
My friend Brenna and me
Our friends, Marc, Heidi, and Brenna
Mark and daddy
Happy St. Patrick's Day (a little late...)
That was some good milk
I can stick out my tounge, can you?
I told you our cat was bigger!
Happy Easter! (also late)
What a ride man..I can't believe dad and grandpa think this is fun...
Psyke! It's a blast!
Still not sure what went in my mouth or on my face

Sick, is what I have been...

2008-02-20T17:07:00.006-07:00

So I know some of you have been waiting for more pictures of Oliver and they will be in this post but I have not posted recently because I have now been sick twice in the span of 2.5 weeks. Yesterday I was running a fever of about 102. This also makes it 5 or 6 times in the last 2.5 months. My regular doctor believes it might be because of the accident last year and rattling the pituitary gland which controls essentially all endocrine functions, including the immune system.
Anyway here are more pictures as promised. Enjoy!

Okay, so this is not Oliver, but it is an "O" shape! Actually, this was my birthday cake and I know my grandmother, grandfather and father can appreciate what looks like madness to everyone else.

Okay so not all the pictures are Oliver.. But this is really pretty and pictures I took from Big MTN

More "snow ghosts"

Greg and Emily on top of the "BIG"
Jamie and Oliver getting to know each other :)
Oliver and our friends daughter, Brenna.

Oliver, Jen, Emily, and Missy

Knitting is the in thing.Oh crap! I got caught wearing daddy's hat!

Oliver and Henry the hare, his rattle, smiling at daddy.

Daddy rocked me to sleep at the show below.

Our friends Emily and Mike (not sure who the 3rd is on the right.) They also have a young boy and his name is Calvin. We ski with them when we can and they are very talented musically.

The "old man" getting out for a little hockey in Kalispell. It was pretty cool playing under the lights outside on a real rink with a bright moon. Thank you to Daniel J. Wiebe and Glacier Imagery

Don't try.... wait!

2008-01-26T23:07:00.001-07:00

Actually do try this at home if you have the Globus E-stim unit and a trainer. Here are pictures from my indoor training session today, courtesy of my wife.

Speaking of....

2008-01-22T11:49:00.000-07:00

Here is a video clip from last week of Oliver. It's not very long but hopefully it will brighten up your day like he brightens up ours.

Happy New Year! (REALLY LATE!)

2008-01-17T19:52:00.000-07:00

My how time flies, the 17th of January already! We have been busy and there are pictures here to show it. My brother-in-law Matt and his wife Alison came to visit us for a week (1/4 - 1/11.) During that week we went downhill skiing, bowling, cross country skiing and spent a little time in Missoula, Montana.

Not all of the below pictures occurred during the trip that our family and friends were here. ENJOY!

Hi, nice to see you too!

GO BLUE!!
(Courtesy of our friends Nate and Lisa Boyd.)
Nap time with Thelma (yes there is also a cat named Louise.)
New Years Eve hanging out in the Flat at 419 in Whitefish.
Alpine Skiing with the family (Matt and Alison on the right.)
BTW if you ever ask them they won't tell you, but they did awesome.

Big Sis and bro tangling it up on the mountain.

That wasn't very nice!
Alison, Emily, and Oliver ready to head out on their adventure!
Jason and Matt, doing the same.
Emily and Jason on the way in.
Look at that mountain.
View from the front door of the cabin we skied into.
Getting ready to head home.
The snowy way back.

Mom is a stud, baby on the front, some gear on the back.Night time skiing, which happened both days. Quite lovely really.
The gear in the Jeep, after the fact.
At the airport on the way home. :(

Woah, what is the face Uncle Matt is making?!Checking out my nose, from the inside.
Shades, man... Courtesy of Uncle Matt and Aunt Alison (In Missoula.)
Sleepy time at the Mountain Lodge
I am sooo cool... (In Kalispell.)
Hey... I thought maybe this would surprise you too! (Not crawling yet though.)

Happy Birthday MIMI!

2008-01-14T20:32:00.000-07:00

Happy Birthday MIMI!
Love, Oliver (and of course mom and dad!)

Merry Christmas!

2007-12-25T21:04:00.000-07:00

Christmas Eve Dinner

Christmas Eve with his pals.

After Midnight Mass

Santa came!

I am too tired to bother with Santa.Wait I am awake..

Just kickin it!

Oh man, mimosa and presents, NAP TIME!

I love the wrap!

A reindeer got left behind!

Man did I make out!

SO PPPPPTTTTT!

Just kidding :)

Presents came in here, so now they thought maybe I could too.

The aftermath...

Days 20,21,22

2007-12-23T22:17:00.000-07:00

Sorry for the delay, dad has been very sick the last few days..
He is still happy though!

Day 19 brings smiles!

2007-12-20T23:05:00.001-07:00

"See, I really do smile!"

All the smiling wore out Santa's main elf.

18 and....

2007-12-19T23:46:00.001-07:00

Only 6 more days until Christmas!

(maybe this Christmas thing isn't so bad...)

Day 17

2007-12-18T22:52:00.000-07:00

Christmas is only 1 week away!

Days 14,15, and 16!

2007-12-17T23:36:00.000-07:00

We missed a few days because of a crazy schedule, including Emily going back to work.

Helping make mommy breakfast for her birthday.

Chillin at the mountain wishing Grandpa Kinley a HAPPY BIRTHDAY!
Last week, catching some zzz's with mommy at the lodge.

Boots.. for the 13th day of Advent

2007-12-14T23:01:00.001-07:00

His boots (which are really nice) courtesy of Auntie Missy.

Day 12

2007-12-13T23:26:00.001-07:00

This was from when our parents were here.

Number 11 (only 13 days till Christmas!)

2007-12-12T23:25:00.001-07:00

Decorating the tree.

Checking out the scenery

Day 10 and a crazy day it was!

2007-12-11T23:57:00.001-07:00

"Geez" he thought to himself, "not this suit again!" "Well, nothing better than a beer to help ease the troubles" (although he wasn't able to drink much before hitting the hay.)

Day 9.. and sleep

2007-12-10T21:59:00.001-07:00

Well, at least for him.... (and grandpa wasn't too far behind!)

It's begining to look a lot..... like day 8

2007-12-09T23:36:00.000-07:00

He is more excited than this for Christmas, I promise. (This is from when we cut down our Christmas Tree on Friday.)

Day 7 (and opening day!)

2007-12-08T23:50:00.000-07:00

Opening day on the mountain and yes we did ski with him from top to bottom.

Happy Birthday GREAT Grandma Mella

2007-12-07T09:51:00.001-07:00

Advent Five (The day and number of people)

2007-12-06T22:33:00.000-07:00

Numero quatro

2007-12-05T23:52:00.000-07:00

Feliz Navidad

Happy Birthday Great Grampa!

2007-12-05T12:14:00.001-07:00

Sorry we're 2 days late. 2 days late into the world. 2 days late wishing my Great Grampa a happy birthday! We love you! XOXOXOXOXO

Day 3..

2007-12-04T23:54:00.000-07:00

Christmas "wrapper" and posse.

Advent day 2

2007-12-03T23:31:00.000-07:00

I spy......

First day Advent

2007-12-02T23:48:00.001-07:00

First day of Advent so we thought we would start an "ADVENT" calendar of a picture every day for the next 24 days.... So here is today.... (Actually taken earlier this past week.)

You better not pout, you better not cry.... Not off to a good start for Santa!

Bath time

2007-11-12T11:19:00.000-07:00

Well here are some more pictures from the last week or so. In that time I have gone back to work, we had a flute performance from our friend Dr Vic when he and his wife visited. We also had a card game night at our house AND the best for me, I got to take my first bath with my son.

When they pick up leaves in Montana, they don't mess around.My intestines, OH WAIT, those are his diapers.
Our friend Mya.
and her husband (also our friend) Dr Vic.
This kid will eat ANYTHING.
Ready for the winter!The thinker anyone?
Our friend Jen on card night.
Our friend, neighbor, and co-worker, Jessica.
BATH TIME!!!

Happy Halloween

2007-11-01T21:07:00.000-07:00

Happy Halloween (which happened yesterday but so did most of these pictures...)

Oliver and daddy catching some zzz's with our cat Louise.

LOOK AT MY MUSCLES!
The ghost made me eat those fingers.
Resting in the leaf pile that dad raked before trick-or-treat started.
Mom, dad, Oliver, AND Oscar in the leaf pile.
We proved that even little warlocks need to eat too.

What a tangled web he weaves, even now.Dad, Oliver, and Oscar the cat, hanging out after a LONG day.
Emily, Oliver and our friends Christine, Ryan (in the back) and his son Chase.

Burrito anyone?

2007-10-31T08:59:00.000-07:00

We have now had Oliver for 6 whole days! It is pretty amazing at how fast that time has gone by. We are getting a little more sleep as he is able to eat better since the milk has come in. If he sleeps better, we sleep better so woohoo! Here are more pictures of the past several days.

Our little burrito in his crib.

Oliver and daddy before the race.
Like Emeril says, BAM! A little explosive action in the back section.
See grandpa, I open my eyes, and whistle too!
For mimi, THANKS MIMI!

More Oliver....

2007-10-27T13:12:00.001-07:00

Here is a link from North Valley Hospital with a picture they took for their website:
http://www.nvhosp.org/nv.nsf/View/1025Oliver

Mom and her son looking good.

Two days old and got him to his first bike race!
On the slide (and no, we didn't go down.)
Ready to go home.

Here he is!

2007-10-27T07:00:00.000-07:00

As of October 25, at 12:03 PM MTN Time, I officially became a father to Oliver Scott Kinley. He was born at 7 lbs 5 oz and 20" long and has the biggest hands and feet we have seen on a newborn. Emily was able to do the birth natural without medication and delivered in a water birth. If you haven't seen one, I highly recommend checking out the internet for a video of one as they are pretty cool. Emily was in labor for about 13 hours although the contractions kept her from sleeping for about 1.5 days.

Last picture of Emily in street clothes before delivery

The tub for the water delivery

Making jewelery between contractions!

The happy family!

PROUDLY PRESENTING MR. OLIVER SCOTT KINLEY

Mom and baby getting somewell deserved rest.

Daddy and baby.

His eyes are even open!

Getting ready to venture home the first time.

San Diego (or maybe even the world...)

2007-09-17T09:44:00.000-07:00

The reference in the title is to the movie Anchorman for anyone who has seen it. So after changing jobs, going rafting and settling in our home, we then up and leave to San Diego for my brother-in-law's wedding. Here are pictures from the day before and the day of the wedding.. Matt and Alison did get married on the beach and it was a very nice day. I must say I wished they lived closer so we could spend more time together.

Continuing the catching up...

2007-09-17T09:07:00.000-07:00

So our neighbor, Bob, makes these enormous statues of elk and moose (mostly.) Here is a picture from right outside of our house of a moose that now stands at the new Sportsman Ski Haus in Kalispell, MT.
On the way back from one of our trips from Spokane this summer, we stopped along the highway to take a dip in the river, with "River" still a part of my wife :)
So after I started my new job in Kalispell, MT my wife and I took a float down the river with a group of people, most of whom we work with. Before we went rafting, I woke up early, I mean REAL earlier to go to Glacier National Park for a ride. Here a few pictures from way too early in the morning. The road I am riding is Going-to-the-Sun and on my way up Logan Pass. The goats I took pictures of on the way down.

The picture above is while riding up Logan Pass with a view of one of the many beautiful mountains in the background, and yes snow is still there on the peaks. The view below is from my handlebars climbing up the same road which is 12 miles of climbing from the west side. The opening on the left of the tallest tree is the top of the pass. I am fortunate to live only 30 minutes away from this national park.

CATCH UP :)

2007-08-28T20:47:00.000-07:00

Okay so here is a time line of some pictures since we have been married until now..... First we will start at the end of May on the way back from Spokane. My lovely wife wanted to pick some wild flowers, so she did :) (Can't tell she is pregnant yet...)
In June we went on an overnight backpacking trip with our friend Kelly. At night before the trip Emily and I camped in Glacier National Park and here is a picture at night.

Here is Kelly and Em eating lunch during the hike.

This is a view from our campsite of Arrow Lake. The book Night of The Grizzly, talks about the poor lady that was killed here nearly 45 years ago.

New places.

2007-08-28T20:36:00.000-07:00

So after the wedding and after the honeymoon I found a new job at Summit Preparatory School in Kalispell, MT. I am fortunate that I not only get to work with students again, but as a side benefit I get to see my wife sometimes during the day as she is a therapist for one of the girls teams.
I spend all day with the boy's team that I am on once they get out of school, until they go to bed. We hike, take backpacking trips, lift weights, play football, etc.. It is a rewarding job but it does take a lot out of a person mentally. So far so good though as I am about 2 months in and doing well.

Verana 3

2007-08-14T11:06:00.000-07:00

Ok just a few more pictures...

A view from the Tea House in the early morning.

Another view of the Tea House.

Ok this little guy is Coatimundi and he scared the crap out of us the first night. He came into our room and knocked over a glass cover on a candle because he was trying to get the banana that was left on the table. While he did get it and eat it, he is harmless.
We did kayak to Yelapa and this is a waterfall right in town, although you don't want to jump off (not enough water in the pool at the bottom.) Yes that is me climbing up anyway...
This is Our Lady of Guadalupe in PV
If you enlarge the picture you should be able to see the MASSIVE iguana in the tree.
A map that took us to a restaurant in PV that took hours to find. Upon arriving, it was awful, so we left.
A sunset in PV the final night we were in Mexico

More Verana....

2007-08-14T10:45:00.000-07:00

Here are a few more pictures from our honeymoon.

The pool overlooking the ocean

This is our lunch spot every day. The lunch chef made some fantastic mousse as part of the whole desert. I liked it so much he made a fresh batch of mousse just so I could have it later!

A waterfall which you could climb up and then jump off. It was a lot of fun!

Salsas that we learned to make in our cooking class (and now have the recipes to!)
The chef who taught us the recipes that we learned. We used all of the salsas that night for taco night which is fairly famous in the area.
I like this picture so I added it.

Honeymoon in Verana

2007-07-11T21:43:00.000-07:00

This is a place my wife found in Gourmet Magazine several years before we ever met. She had been hanging on to an article that was in that magazine hoping some day to go but never dreamed of it being her honeymoon. The resort is called Verana and is located in Yelapa, Mexico. We stayed in the Studio and the Tea House.
Absolutely worth the trip, we were waited on hand and foot and never had to worry about a single thing. The food was unbelievable, the atmosphere relaxing as they only had 7 houses at the resort with a maximum occupancy of around 20-24 guests total. We really never saw the other guests unless at a meal or at the pool during the day. Why a pool if you have the ocean? Well the hike up to Verana is about 15-20 minutes from the Ocean and we simply wanted to relax. If you ever have the chance, GO.

You have to take a boat to get here

On the boat (which left marks from the bumpy ride!)

Once you get here the mule carries all of your gear all the way to the top.

Our room in the Studio the first 2 nights

Backside of our room, which are all open air.

This is the room at night, the staff comes around while you are at dinner and lights ALL of the candles in every house!

Too long...

2007-07-10T08:55:00.001-07:00

Ok well I have not done a great job of updating my blog, but here is some new information for you. I did get married on the 14th of April and what a good time it was! Family and friends made one heck of a long trip to Spokane, Washington where we were married at Mt St Michael's Church. Here are a few pictures and no the little girl (Fiona) is not ours, she is the daughter of a friend of ours who lives in Spokane.
Next up... pictures from our Honeymoon in Verana, Mexico.

Aint no maybe..... BABY.....

2007-03-09T11:04:00.000-07:00

So ALOT going on in this wonderful world of yours, mine and ours.. Emily and I are getting married on April 14th in Spokane Washington and we are very excited and at the same time will be glad when this stress is over. We have the colors, the caterer, the wedding location, the tuxes, her dress, the rings ordered, the cake, the flowers but we are still trying to determine the exact reception location. We already have one, but may flip it to the rehersal dinner site instead as the original one is not available now.
We are driving back to Spokane again this weekend for more wedding stuff and while she is doing some shopping, I am going riding on my new road bike (more on this SWEET CANNONDALE SYSTEMSIX later)

We have also recently discovered that we are having a baby! Man alive, talk about being a busy year. This is going to be one busy/great year and we are really looking forward to having our own family. My parents I think are becoming more excited, although I am not sure how my dad is dealing with being a grandpa!

Not quite 3 weeks....

2007-02-20T16:43:00.000-07:00

Not quite 3 weeks since I have update my blog... Ok doing better than last year so far! To date, I have now bought a new car, a 2007 Jeep Liberty to replace the totaled Pathfinder.. The Jeep has alota options! Leather, heated seats, etc... but not as much room as my old Pathfinder... Time will tell as they say as to the enjoyment of our new vehicle.
The insurance agent called yesterday and said he has checks on the way for my destroyed car and lost wages.. Thats good news...
Stress is still as high as ever, so I am working on enhancing my mood through the use of all natural ingredients, since my exercise is non-existant right now. 5-HTP is supposed to be a great mood enhancer as it is a plant based precursor to seratonin. Again, time will tell.
Tried skiing on Sunday and after 3 runs decided I had enough due to the feeling of vertigo when I was skiing and it wasn't even foggy :( Also relived the car wreck when some skiier cut all the way across the hill without looking and fortunately by the grace of God I was able to stop.. My skiis were honestly about 3 inches from hers when she came across. I had to sit down.. Coordination was off and I felt loopy when skiing.. Maybe this weekend will be better..

Frustrating...

2007-02-01T11:53:00.000-07:00

Well a little over a week later and still not good.. This head injury is proving to be much more problematic than I originally thought. I have difficulty focusing and communicating after a few hours. Constant headahces are the norm now as well as a feeling of being spacey or floating. Can't drive at night because my brain can't process fast enough yet. My poor fiance thought she was getting someone weird at first, now I am weird and useless... It gets better with time, or so I hear...
These are the times I wish all I could do is ride, and ride, and ride, and ride..... One day... maybe next year....

Ok... So um... almost a year later

2007-01-24T13:22:00.000-07:00

Wow... did I ever get behind... SO.. Here is the really, really brief version of the past 9 months...
Raced Mohican 100... finished well
Raced E-100... Finished well...
Fell in love.....
Got Engaged...
My car got totaled..
Got sponsored by Maxxis.... the same day my car was totaled.....

Ok so I will be better about updating this blog... Honest....

Whew... lot has happened

2006-05-09T09:07:00.000-07:00

It has been awhile since I have posted. I have been to Sea Otter since I have last posted and the weather, the weather has gone from snow, to hot to snow again all here in Montana..... CRAZY...... Also I have purchased a new bike, a Slingshot 29er! What a ride... here are some pictures...

DONE!!!

2006-03-28T09:15:00.000-07:00

Whew, I got a new bar and stem, old stock Dura Ace and a new Salsa Poco Bar and man she is purty!

Here she is!

2006-03-22T09:33:00.001-07:00

My fixed gear!! Done, well mostly, I can ride it but I have a shorter stem and now need a new bar because the drop is too narrow to get the freakin bar through the one piece stem.

As promised... Sorta

2006-03-17T10:34:00.000-07:00

Here is a picture of my new steed! Well a partial picture minus the whole bike as I am waiting on the matching front wheel. She rides so nice!

Catch up...

2006-03-14T15:47:00.000-07:00

Ok so here is the latest and greatest... The last post was on Friday and about the magical fixed gear, so I guess I will start there. Saturday I wake up and get my skiiing stuff ready to go up on the hill. I take a few runs and my leg started bothering me so I called it quits early and went shopping for a whole lot of household stuff like silverware, mixing bowls etc.. I know, I KNOW, exciting stuff, oh well.
Anywho, I have been putting off getting new running shoes, so I finally did it and decided all at the same time I am going to run a marathon this year. MAN, not sure what I was thinking to start with but.... IT SHOULD BE A JOURNEY!

So Sunday roles around, it's freakin cold out on the Mountain and I don't wanna go ski because there has been no new snow. So I go ride the fixed gear, I know here we are back to the bike. I don't have pictures posted because I am using some borrowed wheels until mine are done. I do have the rear wheel, but when I got home Saturday, I got the mail and the envelope that had the lockring in it had ripped open! So still no go. Pictures soon though! ANYWAY, so I am riding on a borrowed rear wheel through some of the MOST BEAUTIFUL countryside imaginable. I hit the half way point, on my way home, up a hill and I hear it. That AWFUL, TERRIBLE hissing sound. Yep, flat tire EXCEPT THIS WAS WAY worse because it was a tubular tire. No way to fix it, so I start walking, cause its cold and I can't stand around waiting for someone in the middle of nowhere. I hitch-hike a ride into the next town and call a friend from there since I now have cell service. BUMMER.... All in all it was a good weekend... Monday was back to work and DODGEBALL!!! Yes I play in a league :)

So close!

2006-03-10T10:48:00.000-07:00

I am so close to being done with this bike I can't wait! I had to scramble to find a bolt long enough to attach the front brake. DONE. I fixed the bottom bracket, mounted the rear tire on the sweet Velocity rear track wheel. NO lockring, it was left off when the wheel shipped so now I have to wait on that. Almost there, I can't wait to ride and train on this bike!

Fixie

2006-03-08T16:17:00.000-07:00

I started work to bring a Bridgestone Track bike back to life last night. Got the new bars on, the first side taped and then sat on the bike. DOH! I then noticed the bottom bracket flexing, and I did not have the tools to fix it, so off to the bike shop it went. I will get it back before I have to teach spinning tonight and hopefully finish the build tomorrow night. I am so excited! One gear is the only way to go.