Thanksgiving in KC

We spent a few hours at Monte's aunt and uncle's place in KC on Thanksgiving day, then spent the rest of the weekend w/ my family at my brother's. We enjoyed a break from the snow and cold weather!

Monte has never held a chicken before

Four generations

Momma and 3 of the 4 kids

Shooting pool w/ Gavin Gear all the way from Denver, CO

Enjoying the outdoors w/ my nieces

Tea party time

TeStrake clan

State Cyclocross

Yesterday was the State Cyclocross Race - click on link to view some amazing photos. Unfortunately you won't see any of Monte during his actual Cat 3 race, but you will see he and Hagen trying to dodge a punch or two?! I guess the bullhorn heckling didn't sit well w/ some Wisconsin folks.

The weather was extra fun too - Monte honestly enjoyed all the snow because it made it a "true" cyclocross race and was more technical, which is what he's good at. So the "roadies" had a tougher time. Even the guys who continually took 1st and 2nd place in the Cat 3 races all season didn't finish - they just dropped out.

Monte was in 5th on the first lap and ended up in 12th. I wish we could have seen more of the race, but Ani and I were huddling together for warmth under the heated tent and she really didn't last too long w/ all the bulky snow gear we had her in - I was even in my entire ski outfit sans ski boots! Wet and heavy snow all day.

What are we going to do every weekend now that the cc season is over??? And if you want see what the race really looked like, here is a super cool video of the Cat 1/2 race.

The Big 5

5 years ago today, we were partying in the Bahamas and celebrating our wedding night! Yes, I probably blog about this every Nov. 12, but it was such a wonderful time for us. Great memories.

Coming This March

Here's what our little 1-pound baby looks like right now :)

Jackson Meadows & Green Acres

Both of these cyclo-cross races were two weekends ago.

Jackson Meadows

Awesome action shot!

Green Acres

Ani is such a good cheerleader, you can hear her in the background switching between "Go Daddy" and "Go Monte". Monte is in the blue jersey, white helmet, red bike.

Halloween

Ani posing by the "indoor" pumpkin and hoping it doesn't get eaten by squirrels like the rest of our "outdoor" pumpkins did!

Monte now rides Cat 3 cyclo-cross this year. I have a few videos of the race from last weekend at Green Acres that I will eventually post. This one was from the Fridley Fright Cyclo-Cross race on Halloween. Monte placed 20th in his category.

Super excited for candy!