Our Very First Pinewood Derby Race--Feb. 27, 2010

Scott, being a cub scout, had the opportunity to make a pinewood derby car and compete against the other scouts. Noah wanted to do it too, so he made a car. Steve and I helped the boys with their cars. Scott's car had wheel issues and he'd lost some of his lead weights messing around with it before the race, so he didn't fare as well as he had hoped. He took 7th place (last place). Noah's car did well. He took 2nd place overall. Hopefully they learned some things from the other racers to help them improve next year.

Scott's car is the blue one.

Noah's car is the red one.

Noah's car won this race.

Joshua, all the racers, and Steve, the Cub Master.

Noah

Scott

Noah lost his first tooth, Feb 23, 2010

After having a loose tooth for what seemed like forever, Noah finally pulled it out! Hooray!

Snow Outing at Snowflower February 20, 2010

We took the kids snowshoeing for their very first time. They loved it!

Joshua loved stomping around in his snowshoes.

We barely managed to keep from falling through the ice during this picture. There is a lake right behind us covered in snow and ice.

I think we've found a new family hobby!

We took Steve's sister, Teresa, and her husband, Deron, with us. It was our Christmas present to them. I think we've got them infected with the snowshoe fever now too!

Ah, fer cute!

Scott lounging in the snow.

Of course, we had to have a snowball fight.

I had to do my usual pose. It had been at least 10 years since Steve and I went snowshoeing.

So happy to be snowshoeing together again.

Joshua's just plain cute.

Scott threw his usual tantrum, but he got over it and rejoined the group eventually.

Deron had never made a snowman before, so we helped him with his first. Note the hairy armpits. Nice touch, eh?

Teresa and Deron with their snowman creation.

Mommy and Joshua by a beautiful little stream.

Teresa and Deron

We ended the afternoon with a little sledding too!

Much to my dismay, Steve was always there to give the kids a big push at the top of the hill. Never mind the trees and other people in the way!

Go Scottie go!

I'm thinking the saucer is meant for one...

It started snowing pretty hard. It was beautiful, but it meant scary driving on the way home if we didn't get out of there.

Sorry guys, time to go. What a fun day!

Bicycles Plus Folsom Criterium Race Jan. 30, 2010

Before the race. I was shakin' in my boots!

It had been 4 years since I'd done a road race, but it was time to go at it again since I'd joined the team. There was a local criterium race that I just couldn't pass up. I was incredibly nervous; so nervous that if I let my legs relax during the race my feet and legs started shaking. It didn't stop me though. I won one of the "prime's" (pronounced preem) which is a lap where they will announce a prize and whoever wins that lap wins the prize. I didn't hear what the prize was, I just heard it was a "prime" lap. I won the sprint just by a hair. Turns out I won a gift certificate for a Brazilian bikini wax. I was less than thrilled. Ouch! Am I going to use it? No! An emphatic NO!

At the starting line. I'm in the black 4th from the right.

Chillin' in the paceline, 3rd from the front.

I did still happen to win the race overall. After being "blocked" on all sides on the last turn I managed to sneak around the racer on my left and she gave me a nice sling shot to the finish. I couldn't believe I'd won my first USA cycling road race! Whoo-hoo!! It was weird being interviewed with microphone and all after the race for the whole crowd to hear. Didn't like that so much.

1st place on the "podium".

1st place t-shirt and gift card for a Brazilian bikini wax. Nice.

First Race as a "Mad Catter" Jan. 16, 2010

I joined Team Mad Cat at the beginning of January for many reasons. Help in the motivation department, meeting more people who share similar interests (especially other women riders which is hard to find), team support, and, of course, having a cool jersey to wear.


My first race as an official member of Team Mad Cat was the Sacramento Cyclocross Race #5 at Granite Beach. Only my 2nd race ever in cyclocross and on a mountain bike instead of a cyclocross bike, nonetheless. I borrowed a fellow teammate's jersey (since I'm waiting for the order to come in with my clothes or "kit") and raced. I ended up taking 2nd place in Women's class C. Not too shabby for a "beginner".