First Day of School!

It's been quite awhile since the last post - like all summer. We had a great one and now it's back to school! Both girls did great - now we've got a 1st grader and a 4-K!

We just got a new laptop and I've been trying to find the cable to download these pictures for about 1/2 an hour. Here they are!

Olivia Toothless Wonder - Live from FL

After DAYS and DAYS and DAYS of a dangling, periodially bleeding tooth that caused lots of whining and pain for all - Olivia's second front tooth finally fell out (literally) at dinner.

Here is her new look!!

School is out! But where is summer?

School is over, but is sure doesn't feel like summer outside. On Sunday we're headed to the beach for some fun in the sun and WARMTH! We are all very excited. Here are some pictures from the last week of school. Olivia said she's excited about Florida, but didn't want school to be over.

We had her class picnic on Wednesday and the weather was cool, but sunny.

Carina was long for the fun too. She even played in the dress-up relay.

Carina took this picture of Olivia and I this morning before Olivia left for school.

Olivia made this card for her teacher yesterday. The inside said "I'll miss you Mrs. Thiel." Look at the sad, sad face she drew on the back. Those are some heavy duty tears! I asked Olivia if anyone cried today when school ended and she told me that her and some of her friends were crying inside their heads. Why can't she do her whining inside her head too?

Trek 100!

It took us a little over 6 hours of ride time to finish our 100 mile ride today. Here are some pictures from the "non-waterproof" camera before the start. The weather was 55 (at best), windy, and included a few rain showers.


It's always good to have the appropriate footwear.



Make sure you put the wheel on right Chris. Look at those flames - he must be fast.

Dad and I ready to roll. Too bad I decided not to take the jacket - we were periodically FREEZING.

Guy - can you even fit those arm warmers over those huge pipes?

Karina the super-rider.

It's been a looong time!!

There are several updates to share - I've been to London on business, turned 36, Matt's turned 40!!, the Trek 100 Ride is this Saturday - Dad and I are both riding - AND NATE donated his hair to Locks for Love.

In London on the Thames River.

Matt, Carina and Olivia at the Brewer Game on Matt's 40th Birthday.

THE HAIRCUT!

Here's how it will look Uncle Nate!

The first cut is the hardest!

Hairball.

Wow Nate! Looking fabulous!

Happy Easter!

There has been a lot of news around here. Olivia lost a tooth at school last Tuesday at lunch. She has a fabulous new look!

Thursday I took the day off and painted the family room for a second time. Here are the before, before, and after pictures.

We had Easter brunch with Matt's family today and there was an egg hunt. The girls got to hang out with their cousins and had a great time.

There is an all-district elementary school art show at the Wauwatosa Public Library and Olivia has a piece of artwork in the show. We went to see it this afternoon. There are some fabulous artists in Wauwatosa elementary schools!

On the bike front I have been derailed this weekend due to another scar problem. This is a new problem with the scar that was "revised" in December and may be due to injecting the tissue with steroid resulting in "necrotic fat". I'd suspect my fat would be more along the lines of neurotic. Anyway, the Dr. had to re-do a couple areas of the scar, so now I have new stitches. That was yesterday. Needless to say, this is getting quite old. So when he came into the exam room and he was saying I don't remember what and I said something about G*d dam* @uck#ng something or another. Nice. I think he got the idea. It's a little sore, so no riding this weekend. Maybe by next weekend it will be warmer?

I hope everyone has a Happy Easter! And thank you to those who have donated for the Trek 100!

No More WINTER!

A freezing cold beginning to a ride on Saturday morning and Olivia coming home sick from school today. Those are the icing on the winter cake. Enough. Done. No more. I think if this goes on much longer I will go crazy.

I've decided I'm going outside no matter what now. My dad and I got a 40 mile ride in on Saturday morning. We're determined to be prepared for the 100 miles on June 6th. So far so good, but this weather needs to continue to improve.

Please check the Trek 100 link on the right side of the page and consider donating. Any amount - even $10 is appreciated. Or, if you prefer, I've begun my fundraising page for the Scenic Shore 150 as well. That is in July.

Thank you so much!