Lightning Strikes

You can't make this stuff up...... click on link below to view video.

Mora Man struck by lightning lives to talk about it

Sympathy for polar bears

As many of you know I can't take the heat. My body for whatever reason seems to glisten a little more when the mercury reaches the mid 80's. After bitching about the late spring that sprung summer has shown up right on schedule. Today it's 90 in Minneapolis and it was accompanied by humidity. I like the warm weather and the reprieve it gives us from the winter months however, I have decided to stay in tonight and watch the college world series in the AC. I predict Fresno State wins as they are up by 6 right now in the 7th. I can't wait for the post game interviews.... can you say Erin Andrews!

Week 3

This is our third week with little Ani - we are a little sleep-deprived but things are still going well. If only she would sleep more than 3 straight hours a night....! We'll work on that though.

Here are some new photos. Ani had her 1st out-of-town visitors this past weekend - Grandma and Grandpa TeStrake. She really enjoyed meeting them and can't wait for more visitors!

2nd MNSCS race and ramblings

So I've challenged myself to ride as many of the MNSCS races this year as summer entertainment. The second race in a series of 10 was held last Sunday @ Afton Alps our so called ski hill up here in Minnesota. While it's lack of altitude or shall I say incline does not pose a threat during the winter months when I occasional ski there...riding up the hill numerous times on a mountain bike after 4 days of rain was not the best use of my time. Lets just say I jumped out to a good start being in the top 6 for the first lap but soon found my legs to be a be inadequate on this day. The course not only proved to be wet, muddy, and down right treacherous on the descents. I ejected from my bike on the first lap in a rock garden that was more like a mud slide. After picking up the pieces I made my way through the rest of the race without incident (I cannot say the same for Newman). In the 30 to 35 year old class I finished 10th and 44th over all so I guess it wasn't the worst day on the bike. Newman who is world renowned for having bike issues incurred a flat tire before the race even started by riding over an old lift ticket thingamajig that hangs from your coat. While the tire was repaired before the race started Newman soon found this to be the least of his worries. Shortly after finishing the race I noticed Newman had beat me to the finish line which could have happen but I didn't remember him passing me. Come to find out his rear derailleur ripped completely off rendering the bike useless. Newman's bad luck with the bike continues.

In other news I was out for an evening bike ride through ST Paul and witnessed a gentleman free climbing a retaining wall (weird) and a 14 year old boy boxing with his dad in the park ( straight out of rocky). I also found a tape measure on the ride today but did not pick it up. However, if anyone needs a tape measure I 'll ride by there tomorrow and get it for you.

Fashionably Early

Well, Monte and I have had quite the week....!

Instead of fashionably late, our daughter decided to arrive fashionably (and surprisingly!) early... she ended up being a frank breech baby and so I had a scheduled c-section this past Tuesday, but little Ani Jo decided she wanted to show up on Sunday instead and make mommy go through labor pains until she was 5 cm dilated!! The c-section went very well but man, the recovery period was NOT easy, I will say that!

We just returned from the hospital on Wednesday and have settled in well at home. What did we do before this precious girl was in our life? :)

New Arrival!