Happenings

Liam is 6 mos! Half a year, I can't even believe it. He's crawling all over and getting faster every day. Stands up in his crib. Everything goes into his hand and promptly to his mouth. No teeth yet, although he drools quite a bit. He likes being tickled and we love his little laugh. He's also starting to notice when we leave the room. He LOVES Ani, have I mentioned this? His face just lights up when he sees her. She plays very well with him too.

Ani had her 1st friend over to the house (w/out friend's parents present). It was a success! Clara and Ani got along great and had a lot of fun. They are two peas in a pod - they know each other well from preschool. Tears only popped up when Clara had to go home that afternoon.

Monte volunteered at the Urban Assault Ride this year. I stopped by with the kids to hang out for a bit. This picture was taken T-minus 3 hours before unfortunate bicycle mishap which led to an ER visit. Separated shoulder, lots of pain. Angriest about possibly not being able to race cyclo-cross this season. Bummer all around.

Gravel

This is what Monte did Saturday night. Gravel: A True Story.

Rabbit Ears Pass

So this is who Monte went to Colorado with last weekend to watch the pro cycling race. Yes, the guy in the green, Borat-like ensemble. Classic.

He was even mentioned in an article from the Denver Post under "Worst Costume".

RAGBRAI 2011

Off they went this morning for this year's ride across Iowa. But first they have to ride down to IA from Minneapolis. They'll meet up w/ RAGBRAI group on Tuesday night in Boone and finish at Myron's Mountain, preferably in the pool I'm sure!

Almanzo 40

Pre-race in the rain

It was really the Almanzo 100, but many riders did the Almanzo 40 due to cold, wet, muddy weather conditions. Not as fun for spectators either - sitting in the car the majority of the morning trying to keep 2 kids dry and happy was not an easy feat.

The 40-mile mark (aka, the end of the ride) was in Preston, MN. Everyone met at the local grocery store to share stories of their challenging rides thus far and to contemplate whether or not to continue on.

Muddy much?

Photo courtesy of David Gabrys

Photo courtesy of Amy Hagen - this is how muddy her husband was

Bike Team

In every race Monte has signed up for, they always ask what team he's riding for. And that answer has always been some variation of "None", "Team Monte" or some other team names that he and Hagen have conjured up that I can't quite share on this blog. He was always proud that he rode for himself and wasn't all pimped out in all the sponsored gear.

As the biking season is nearly here, Monte has turned over a new leaf and has a different perspective on riding for a team. He will now be riding for Twin Six and definitely has a lot of sponsored gear he will be decked out in! Check out his bio.

Next up - 100 mile Almanzo ride.

I Spy Monte!

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.

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.

Urban Assault 2nd Place

Monte & Hagen took 2nd place in their class (male) and 3rd place overall in this year's Urban Assault Ride! Amy & I did not get the best photos - we ended up chasing a bad lead and were driving around trying to help the boys figure out where the 2nd mystery stop was.

It was a fun time had by all though!

Back In The Saddle

Remember us? We used to blog on a regular basis... not so much anymore.... Busy, busy times.

Last week was our big week vacation - separately. Monte and Hagen rode RAGBRAI together while Ani and I spent a nice relaxing week in Iowa w/ my parents! Thankfully the weather was great so we had a lot of pool time.

The boys left from our house in Minneapolis on their bikes and met up w/ the rest of the Ragbrai crew on Monday. They continued across the upper part of Iowa, going through such towns as Charles City, Waterloo and finally ending up in Dubuque the following Saturday. 8 straight days in the saddle. We went to pick Monte up on Saturday (only about 2 hours away from Muscatine) and came back home.

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Photo recap of our week in Muscatine:

Ani & Meggie outside Whispering Pines

Family at cousin Anne's wedding

Kiddie pool party - look at Ani, she can swim! (with help from her awesome floatie)

The girls - we were kid-free that afternoon so it was fun lounging, talking & reminiscing!

Gammy & Ani swimming

Ella, Jami & Avery

Avery was quite the little performer

Meggie won these sunglasses for Ani at the Happy Joe's arcade

Lovin' the pool

A sad happening toward the end of last week - my cousin Cindy suddenly passed away. She had been diagnosed w/ cancer a few weeks ago and had just had her 2nd round of chemo. I guess the cancer had already spread to several parts of her body. She was only 47.

Tour de Fat

Tour de Fat on Saturday in Loring Park. Monte participated in the bike parade. Ani and I drove down to join in on the festivities.

Parade coming in

Even Ani got a wrist band saying she's 21!

Everything New Belgium at this place

Enjoying ice cream later that night while Dad was out w/ Hagen at the Basilica Block Party. They biked there. Of course. :)

Thanksgiving in Pictures

Thanksgiving last weekend was spent in Iowa with my family. We did a lot in the 36 hours we were there!

Ani & Meggie

Look at all those blue eyes - 2nd cousins Ella & Avery

Marcy with baby Preston

Jingle Cross Race in Iowa City. Monte was going to ride in it but had been sick the week before. We saw a lot of MN bikers, which was neat. One word can describe the experience pretty well - muddy!

Crazy Jingle Cross hill

Crazy daughter

Being silly with Papa

3 generations

Gage & Kennedy stopped by

Out at Hoot Owl Hill

Jami hooked up the Belgian horses and took us for a ride

On the hayrack ride

CX Championships

MN State Championships in Crystal, MN - Saturday, Nov 14

7th in category

7th overall

Monte and Hagen raced while Amy played photographer. Hagen was told there was a prize for last place (DFL) so he was shooting for that, but I believe he ended up 2nd to last.

Nice work on this one, Amy - a great motion shot! Aaron is in total focus and the background is blurred. I need to use this mode for the next race!

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GP Zac Daap CX in Crystal, MN - Sunday, Nov 15

12th in category

14th overall

Basically same race course but different day and not the championships.

And another CX season we can close the book on. They go so fast and are a lot of fun. This weekend, we'll be sitting around wondering what to do with ourselves. :)