Sunday, May 31, 2009

Memorial Day Recap

We've quickly discovered that our super streamlined, efficient traveling style of years past is completely gone with a child. Not that its a bad thing, just an adjustment that we are still getting used to. We loaded up the car with enough stuff to sustain a small village, two dogs, a (nearly) 10 month old, and a bike. Off we headed to OK to see some family and friends.

From Memorial Day in OK


The drive is about 11 hours, but wasn't too painful as Cooper was a champion in the car. We hung out in the OKC area for a couple days, then headed to Tulsa (and Bartlesville), and then back to OKC for a couple more days.

Memorial Day, we headed south to Apache to have lunch with the Goodman clan, then went back to Bob & Becky's house. MJ, Becky and I headed up to see Grandma & Grandpa Goodman's grave site that sits up in the hills near their house.

From Memorial Day in OK


From Memorial Day in OK


After that, we hung out at B & B's for a bit. MJ, Becky and I went down to the pasture to check out the ponies.

From Memorial Day in OK


From Memorial Day in OK


From Memorial Day in OK


In what was unseasonably nice weather for OK, we sat around on the porch.

From Memorial Day in OK


Uncle Bob shares some wisdom with Sarah
From Memorial Day in OK


The next day, we got to meet Becky Burris' daughter Alyssa. A really cute little one with a great smile.

From Memorial Day in OK


That gets us through the first 4 or 5 days....the rest to follow in a couple days when I get caught up.

Tuesday, May 26, 2009

Back in OK

Couple pics from the first couple days back in Oklahoma...

From Oklahoma Trip - Memorial Day


From Oklahoma Trip - Memorial Day


From Oklahoma Trip - Memorial Day


From Oklahoma Trip - Memorial Day

Tuesday, May 12, 2009

That crazy Cooper...

This kid is a bit of a spitfire...The last three weeks he has had myself, then Frumpy & Grumpy and now Grandpa Jim taking care of him with Jill's arm still in a splint healing from the break. I know for sure that he wore Martha and I smooth out chasing him around, and I'd bet money that Jim will be pretty whooped by the time he's done too.

He is just full of life and always on the move, and it just makes me smile. He is starting to eat more and more solid foods, and has really taken a liking to chicken this week. After we got done with the video call tonight, Jill sent me some pics of him enjoying his favorite, Nilla wafers. He was two teeth right now, and they are both evidently sweet...

In a tough week, mourning the loss of Anthony Sloan, a guy I really admired and appreciated, I've drawn a lot of comfort and happiness from my family. Thank you all.


From Cooper Eating


From Cooper Eating


From Cooper Eating


From Cooper Eating

Saturday, May 09, 2009

Anthony Sloan



Yesterday was to be a joyous day. Celebrating my 33rd birthday, home with Jill and Cooper, parents in town and things looked good. But then the news broke on MTBR.com and I just couldn't get it out of my mind.

I'd met Anthony and ridden with him some, but I didn't know him well or as well as I wanted to. I felt a real connection with him, as did most people who met him. A guy who loved to ride bikes, always traveling with Grendel his faithful black lab companion. Perhaps it was our shared love of black labs, singletrack, photography and riding bikes (specifically Yetis) that made this news so hard for me to take. Truth be told a lot of the reason I ended up on a team turquoise Yeti 575 is that Anthony always made that bike and color look so mystical in his photos. When I moved to Colorado, I spent hours and hours combing his website plotting my next trail I would ride.

His photography, stories and travel are legendary. When I would see an AnthonyS post in the Passion forum on MTBR.com, I'd stop whatever I was doing to read it and be amazed at how he could tell a story with pictures and words.

I wish I had more chances to ride with Anthony, but when I'm out in the high country of CO I'll be sure to give a nod to Anthony.

Browse through his website, the pictures are magical and I'd bet that you emerge at least a little changed by it all.

Wednesday, May 06, 2009

Cooper at 9 months


From Cooper at 9 months



Cooper had his 9 month checkup last Friday. He has really grown lately, showing up at 90% on the height chart but despite his world class belly he is only 25% on the weight chart. He is doing really well and I was quite excited to hear yesterday that he took 3 or 4 steps on his own. He is getting so close to walking, and something tells me once he starts we are all in trouble...

Some pics from the checkup..


From Cooper at 9 months


From Cooper at 9 months


From Cooper at 9 months


From Cooper at 9 months


From Cooper at 9 months


From Cooper at 9 months