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. :)

Fourth Festivities

Our 4th of July weekend was spent at Turtle Lake with the Miller's. Always a good time!

Ani loved the water and her "boat"... and her sucker.

Farewell, Rosenblatt

Ah, the last year the CWS will be held at Rosenblatt Stadium. So sad. In the words of a 30-year season ticket holder that we ran into... "I'm disgusted!" The new stadium being built in downtown Omaha won't be anything close to the feel and charm of Rosenblatt.

We were lucky enough to buy tickets 15 minutes before the TCU/UCLA game on Friday for under face value - and to top it off, they were in the shade! That was a must. Otherwise, I really think I would have had 2 Dirks brothers passed out next to me. TCU's right fielder was from my home town so we were rooting for them. They did win on Friday, but had to play UCLA again Saturday, which they lost.

View from our nicely shaded seats

Monte, me, Tim

We also had a belated birthday celebration for Ani - when we sang "Happy Birthday" this time, she was very excited. For her birthday party a couple weeks ago, she bawled her eyes out when everyone began singing to her!

And we utilized the handy self-timer for a family photo before leaving to drive back to Minneapolis.

TeStrake Visit

We had TeStrake's coming at us from all sides last weekend! My parents came up from IA and my uncle Don and cousin Ann came to see the new Twins stadium so we met up with them too. We had a really fun time, but just wished the weather would have been better.

Ani's birthday extended even further with more gifts from Gammy & Papa.

My parents, me, Ani by the infamous Spoonbridge and Cherry sculpture

Monte, Ani, me, my mom, cousin Ann, uncle Don and my dad. Can you tell they're brothers??

Singin' Sensation

Happy 2nd Birthday Ani!

A return trip to the Malt Shop for a birthday sundae (just like last year for her 1st birthday!) donning a new outfit from Aunt Marcy & cousin Meggie.

Skuut bike from Dad (she doesn't reach the ground yet though -- hopefully soon!)

New, spunky outfit from Uncle Tim.

And even a gift (a book) from Jardin Magico, her school.

And I still haven't given her my gift yet (nothing huge, but I know she'll like it - sand shovels and bucket for playing at the park!) We're having a party for her this Saturday at the park up the street where she'll get balloons, cupcakes, and play time with friends. Lucky birthday girl!