Got the go ahead from the doc on Monday to start pushing the Achilles a bit, so yesterday I decided to hop on the Niner but this time I'd try out cycling shoes. Didn't take long for me to realize that my foot position while clipped in was quite different than what I've been using on the flat pedals with normal shoes.
Pounded out about 1/2 of my ride, then started getting some pain in my right foot. It wasn't pain from the Achilles, it was on the front side of my ankle which I found strange. Regardless, I decided that clipping in wasn't something I was ready for so I popped out my right foot and just used the platform to get myself home. When pedaling with my foot unclipped, the pain was gone so I knocked out the rest of my short ride pain free.
Today was another super nice day in the upper 50s, although a bit windy by CO standards. I got a decent ride in, this time without cycling shoes and sans pain. Going south and east I was spun out on my 34x21 gearing, but going west and north was painful. Tried not to go too hard, as rumor has it The Punisher and I may check out Teller tomorrow despite the cold front moving in. Would be my first trail, although Teller is far from technical, its still real trail instead of dirt roads
Today ends the month, and I just squeaked by my goal of 100 miles for the month today. Not a huge goal, but considering I wasn't expecting to even be on the bike at this point I'll take it. Ruby will be on her way to Canada shortly, so the training plan begins as soon as she arrives. Starting to set my season goals, the first of which is the Laramie Enduro. Second goal is to do a dirty century (100 mile off road) by connecting the dirt roads and trails between Longmont and Boulder and back. I'm sure I'll come up with some others, but these are the two I'm starting with.
Ride Log
9 Days on Bike - (All Niner singlespeed)
100.5 Miles
Saturday, January 31, 2009
Friday, January 30, 2009
6 month check up
Cooper had his six month appointment today. Hitting the tape at 27 inches and topping the scale right at 17 pounds.
His height was 75th percentile, weight was 45th percentile and head was 85th percentile. So we've got a reasonably tall, skinny big headed kid.
Monday, January 26, 2009
Cooper playing in his tunnel
Cooper got a cool play tunnel for Christmas, and now that he sits up on his own he finds hours of entertainment in it. Last night, I grabbed the wide angle lens and flash and took some pics. They are strange if you don't know what you are looking at, kind of looks like we have Cooper in a cage....Hmmmmmmmm....
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| From Cooper Playing In His Tunnel |
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| From Cooper Playing In His Tunnel |
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| From Cooper Playing In His Tunnel |
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| From Cooper Playing In His Tunnel |
Sunday, January 25, 2009
Breckenridge Snow Sculpture Contest (subtitled - My last visit to Summit County)
Jill was getting a bit anxious being confined to the house, so she played social director and found us an event to attend. We'd seen this in the past, and this time with me being on IR, we loaded up and headed west. We stopped in Westminster to pick up Sarah, and off we went.
We grabbed some lunch at Red Mountain Grill in Silverthorne, drove up and over Swan Mtn Rd (a bit sketchy this time of year) to get to Breck. Great weather had lots of people out, but we found parking pretty quickly and made our way over to the sculptures.
Cooper got suited up in his fleece snow suit, the girls stopped to pose.
The first sculpture we encountered was this "Monster Jeep" that had kids climbing all over it.
This one was quite intricate
We maneuvered our way through the crowds on uber slick paths
We got a family shot in front of my favorite snow sculpture, the entry from the Alaskan team
A better shot of the sculpture. Its a bear ransacking a tourists travel trailer.
This sculpture didn't quite make it
More of the sculptures
Jill's Favorite
And more
This is an uncarved block. Huge.
This one was an elephant on a diving board titled "No Trunks Required"
Cooper is tight lipped about his favorite
After the viewings, we walked the main street and found ourselves at ColdStone Creamery. Cooper indulged a bit.
Then the fun ended. We got stuck in traffic on the west side of the Ike tunnel for between 1.5 and 2 hours. Put it in park and sit. This is why I ski at Winter Park so often, as it seems every time I go to Summit County this happens. How do people deal with this every weekend? Its beyond me.
Eventually, we got back home and luckily our dogs have incredible bladders. We were glad to be home safe and sound. And to clean off all the ice cream that Cooper had from head to toe, he got a bath and then off to bed he went. He's been a champ about sleeping lately, making it till at least 6am if not 7 or 7:30. Incredible.
We grabbed some lunch at Red Mountain Grill in Silverthorne, drove up and over Swan Mtn Rd (a bit sketchy this time of year) to get to Breck. Great weather had lots of people out, but we found parking pretty quickly and made our way over to the sculptures.
Cooper got suited up in his fleece snow suit, the girls stopped to pose.
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| From Breckenridge Snow Sculpture Competition |
The first sculpture we encountered was this "Monster Jeep" that had kids climbing all over it.
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| From Breckenridge Snow Sculpture Competition |
This one was quite intricate
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| From Breckenridge Snow Sculpture Competition |
We maneuvered our way through the crowds on uber slick paths
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| From Breckenridge Snow Sculpture Competition |
We got a family shot in front of my favorite snow sculpture, the entry from the Alaskan team
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| From Breckenridge Snow Sculpture Competition |
A better shot of the sculpture. Its a bear ransacking a tourists travel trailer.
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| From Breckenridge Snow Sculpture Competition |
This sculpture didn't quite make it
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| From Breckenridge Snow Sculpture Competition |
More of the sculptures
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| From Breckenridge Snow Sculpture Competition |
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| From Breckenridge Snow Sculpture Competition |
Jill's Favorite
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| From Breckenridge Snow Sculpture Competition |
And more
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| From Breckenridge Snow Sculpture Competition |
This is an uncarved block. Huge.
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| From Breckenridge Snow Sculpture Competition |
This one was an elephant on a diving board titled "No Trunks Required"
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| From Breckenridge Snow Sculpture Competition |
Cooper is tight lipped about his favorite
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| From Breckenridge Snow Sculpture Competition |
After the viewings, we walked the main street and found ourselves at ColdStone Creamery. Cooper indulged a bit.
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| From Breckenridge Snow Sculpture Competition |
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| From Breckenridge Snow Sculpture Competition |
Then the fun ended. We got stuck in traffic on the west side of the Ike tunnel for between 1.5 and 2 hours. Put it in park and sit. This is why I ski at Winter Park so often, as it seems every time I go to Summit County this happens. How do people deal with this every weekend? Its beyond me.
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| From Breckenridge Snow Sculpture Competition |
Eventually, we got back home and luckily our dogs have incredible bladders. We were glad to be home safe and sound. And to clean off all the ice cream that Cooper had from head to toe, he got a bath and then off to bed he went. He's been a champ about sleeping lately, making it till at least 6am if not 7 or 7:30. Incredible.
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| From Breckenridge Snow Sculpture Competition |
Saturday, January 24, 2009
Cooper hits up happy hour
Jill got invited to a going away happy hour for one of her coworkers at Hunter Douglas, and so Cooper and I tagged along to see some familiar faces. Cooper was sporting his super sweet puppy sweater and got passed around for a couple hours.
Jill got to catch up with the girls from HD, a welcome outlet for her. Cooper got lots of attention, a welcome outlet for him. I got to buy dinner. Wait a minute...
Before heading out to the happy hour, we snagged some pics.
Coop happy to be looking sharp and headed to the ladies
A little drool should help the look
And then the mischievous side of Cooper...
"Hey there. Me? No I'm not up to anything, just trying to figure out this crawling thing."
"Hey what's that over there?"
"Well this looks interesting..."
CHOMP!
And goodbye Molly...
The three of us grabbed some dinner and headed for home to get Cooper in bed. For Saturday we had big plans of heading up to Summit County to check out the International Snow Sculpture competition. Lots of pics from that tomorrow, now Jo Jo needs a nap.
Jill got to catch up with the girls from HD, a welcome outlet for her. Cooper got lots of attention, a welcome outlet for him. I got to buy dinner. Wait a minute...
Before heading out to the happy hour, we snagged some pics.
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| From Cooper in Puppy Sweater |
Coop happy to be looking sharp and headed to the ladies
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| From Cooper in Puppy Sweater |
A little drool should help the look
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| From Cooper in Puppy Sweater |
And then the mischievous side of Cooper...
"Hey there. Me? No I'm not up to anything, just trying to figure out this crawling thing."
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| From Cooper in Puppy Sweater |
"Hey what's that over there?"
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| From Cooper in Puppy Sweater |
"Well this looks interesting..."
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| From Cooper in Puppy Sweater |
CHOMP!
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| From Cooper in Puppy Sweater |
And goodbye Molly...
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| From Cooper in Puppy Sweater |
The three of us grabbed some dinner and headed for home to get Cooper in bed. For Saturday we had big plans of heading up to Summit County to check out the International Snow Sculpture competition. Lots of pics from that tomorrow, now Jo Jo needs a nap.
Live from the road
Headed to Breck to see the big international ice/snow sculpting competition, but first some lunch.
Monday, January 19, 2009
Quantifying 40 years
40 years is a long time. I've experienced about 32.5 years myself, so 40 is a number I struggle to put my head around right now.
40 years ago the Beatles were releasing their White album, today there are only two living members.
40 years ago, the original Woodstock was happening. Heck, even the second Woodstock they held seems like a long time ago for me.
40 years ago, Neil Armstrong walked on the moon. Today, you can buy a seat on a rocket to outer space.
40 years ago, Vietnam divided the country. Today, the Iraqi War seems eerily similar.
And 40 years ago, my parents were married.
Its something that I can't really even comprehend. Jill and I have been married for almost 8 years, together for 13 and I can hardly remember a time without her. Crazy to think that time we've spent together isn't even a 1/3rd of 40 years. Jill's parents aren't far behind at 39ish years themselves. In today's world of starter marriages, rampant divorce rates and seemingly throw away relationships, Jill and I certainly take comfort in the fact that no matter how many crazy things happen in the world, that our parents have adapted and persevered.
So congratulations MJ & Yack, 40 years is incredible. Sorry we couldn't be there, but we'll certainly look forward to a proper celebration next time we all meet up.
And a quick couple of Cooper pics to appease the masses...
Ride Log
6 Days on Bike - (All Niner singlespeed)
82.5 Miles
40 years ago the Beatles were releasing their White album, today there are only two living members.
40 years ago, the original Woodstock was happening. Heck, even the second Woodstock they held seems like a long time ago for me.
40 years ago, Neil Armstrong walked on the moon. Today, you can buy a seat on a rocket to outer space.
40 years ago, Vietnam divided the country. Today, the Iraqi War seems eerily similar.
And 40 years ago, my parents were married.
Its something that I can't really even comprehend. Jill and I have been married for almost 8 years, together for 13 and I can hardly remember a time without her. Crazy to think that time we've spent together isn't even a 1/3rd of 40 years. Jill's parents aren't far behind at 39ish years themselves. In today's world of starter marriages, rampant divorce rates and seemingly throw away relationships, Jill and I certainly take comfort in the fact that no matter how many crazy things happen in the world, that our parents have adapted and persevered.
So congratulations MJ & Yack, 40 years is incredible. Sorry we couldn't be there, but we'll certainly look forward to a proper celebration next time we all meet up.
And a quick couple of Cooper pics to appease the masses...
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| From New Album 1/19/09 6:19 AM |
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| From New Album 1/19/09 6:19 AM |
Ride Log
6 Days on Bike - (All Niner singlespeed)
82.5 Miles
Friday, January 16, 2009
Good Friday
After thinking my MDX had been stolen at the airport and wandering aimlessly around last night for about 45 minutes, only to find out I was in the east parking garage not the west, I needed a good day. I got it.
Cooper had a good night, slept from 9pm till 8am with only a minor peep that required giving him his pacifier at 5am. The three of us hung out together this morning, then met up with Aunt Sarah in Boulder for some lunch. We dumped Cooper with her and Jill and I headed home to ride bikes in the 60+ degree temps.
All went well, except for me not carrying a patch kit and a pump. At the furthest point from our house, Jill's front tire went flat quickly. Poop. The good news was that we were in a very nice neighborhood, so Jill would be safe. The bad news was I had no real choices but to take off for the house. I gave her my cell phone, turned into the wind and stomped it home. Made pretty quick work of the ride home, grabbed the not stolen MDX and went to pick her up at our prearranged meeting spot of the park inside the neighborhood.
Finished up with some Skyping with Frumpy & Grumpy, who are about to celebrate their 40th!!!! wedding anniversary on Sunday.
Ride Log
5 Days on Bike - (All Niner singlespeed)
63.5 Miles
Sunday, January 11, 2009
Cooper Decides to Feed Himself
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| From Cooper Feeding Himself |
Cooper is hitting an independent streak. We started using two spoons when feeding him, one to actually feed him with and the other as a diversion to let him entertain himself with. Tonight, he took control of both so we just let him. Jill tried her best, while I offered no help and just took some pictures.
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| From Cooper Feeding Himself |
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| From Cooper Feeding Himself |
Where did the weekend go? I swear I just got off the plane a couple hours ago, now I find myself packed up and ready to fly out again. Two more weeks up, then a very welcome week of working from CO while Cooper and I visit our respective doctors.
My recovery seems to be going really well. Put in another solid effort on the bike today, getting in 16.50 miles of mainly dirt roads. Put me at 37ish miles and a solid 3 hours of pedaling for the weekend. I've decided that I'll ship Ruby up to Calgary and spend nights in the apartment on the trainer. I stepped on the scale today (a mistake), and realized I've got a whole lot of work to do for summer. No time like the present I guess.
Today's Route
Ride Log
4 Days on Bike - (All Niner singlespeed)
51.5 Miles
Saturday, January 10, 2009
Back Home, back in the saddle
So as to appease the readers that care nothing about hearing my stories of a guy trying to heal from a massive injury, who would instead rather see pictures of Cooper, I'll start with the that. I'll finish with my pontification about riding dirt roads, how much I love my Niner SIR9 and updating my yearly mileage totals. You've at least been warned.
Cooper is getting big in a hurry. A couple weeks ago, he couldn't reach the toys in his high chair, now he grabs them at will.
He gets his good looks and winning smile from his Dad, of course.
He thinks he is big stuff already, and loves to try to stand, drink from cups and sit in the chair on his own. He is sitting up on his own really well now, but will eventually tumble over and the commence to crawl backwards somehow.
**** WARNING ******
No further Cooper content.
**** END WARNING ******
Got out again today on the Niner, after wussing out yesterday. Was cold, windy and I was tired so I skipped the ride. Today, my goal was 14 - 15 miles and for the first time in a long time, I carried a GPS to quantify how far I went and unfortunately just how slow I am these days.
Chased the sun back to the house today, and was pleasantly surprised to see just over 20.5 miles put in. Of course, the sluggish 12.6 mph average was disappointing but I've got to get healed before I can get faster.
My Route:
Had a minor scare when doing some adventuring off route and hit a nasty goathead patch, but the Stan's tubeless stuff sealed the leak in the front up quickly. Note to self - go tubeless on the rear now before you forget and almost get stuck way, way out from the house like you did today.
Tomorrow shows better weather, so probably try to get out again for another ride. Considering my options for shipping/buying a bike for Calgary, really need to be pounding out some trainer time during the week so I can spend more time chasing Cooper around, he is a busy little kid.
Ride Log
Days On Bike - 3 (All Niner singlespeed)
Mileage - 35
Cooper is getting big in a hurry. A couple weeks ago, he couldn't reach the toys in his high chair, now he grabs them at will.
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| From Cooper in his chairs |
He gets his good looks and winning smile from his Dad, of course.
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| From Cooper in his chairs |
He thinks he is big stuff already, and loves to try to stand, drink from cups and sit in the chair on his own. He is sitting up on his own really well now, but will eventually tumble over and the commence to crawl backwards somehow.
 |
| From Cooper in his chairs |
**** WARNING ******
No further Cooper content.
**** END WARNING ******
Got out again today on the Niner, after wussing out yesterday. Was cold, windy and I was tired so I skipped the ride. Today, my goal was 14 - 15 miles and for the first time in a long time, I carried a GPS to quantify how far I went and unfortunately just how slow I am these days.
Chased the sun back to the house today, and was pleasantly surprised to see just over 20.5 miles put in. Of course, the sluggish 12.6 mph average was disappointing but I've got to get healed before I can get faster.
My Route:
Had a minor scare when doing some adventuring off route and hit a nasty goathead patch, but the Stan's tubeless stuff sealed the leak in the front up quickly. Note to self - go tubeless on the rear now before you forget and almost get stuck way, way out from the house like you did today.
Tomorrow shows better weather, so probably try to get out again for another ride. Considering my options for shipping/buying a bike for Calgary, really need to be pounding out some trainer time during the week so I can spend more time chasing Cooper around, he is a busy little kid.
Ride Log
Days On Bike - 3 (All Niner singlespeed)
Mileage - 35
Sunday, January 04, 2009
Suited and booted
Today was my last day of freedom, as for tomorrow the bell tolls for me. Back in the air to tropical Calgary (well tropical compared to Fairbanks, AK) till Thursday. The sunny temps that helped usher the new year in the new year are a distant memory, and today was downright cold. Unlike most cold days here, we had 40% humidity and light winds which made the 26 degree temps feel more like 12.
I've never been a big fan of cold. In Tulsa, we used to play roller hockey in the mornings before work. The others would laugh at me as I would sit in my truck, engine running, till everyone was on the rink and skating. Then I would promptly head to the rink, play our hour or so and then return to the warmth of my truck and drive home. I think most of them thought I'd never make it in Colorado, but since moving here I've toughened up, or at least I've bought some good cold weather gear.
Today after going back and forth about getting out, I finally just decided to suck it up and get out. I kept thinking back to the last 8 weeks when I couldn't get out for a ride and decided I would brave the cold weather and ride.
I geared up, AmPhibs (Love Them!) on under my Helly Hansen pants, long sleeve winter jersey with fleece vest, skull cap and ear cover. Told Jill I'd be gone 30ish minutes, and was hoping to make it that long. Didn't take me long after getting outside to realize it wasn't too bad and that 30 minutes would be easily attainable.
For the first time since my Achilles rupture and subsequent surgery I headed for the dirt roads east of our house. Not exactly the "stationary bike" the doc prescribed for me, but I was smart about it. I rode in regular shoes, not clipped in as usual and took it pretty easy. Felt great to be out, and although I'm in terrible shape right now I rode pretty well.
Legs felt good, lungs hurt. As I was reaching the furthest point on my route, I encountered another bundled up biker. We gave each other a head nod and a "you're crazy enough to be out here too" look. Couple joggers and a car or two, but for the most part it was just gravel, me and my one gear.
Ride was 8.5 - 9 miles (not carrying any GPS, heart rate monitors, power meters, etc right now) with a whopping 157 feet of climbing. Yeah not exactly a climbing route, but I'm not technically supposed to be off road either.
Which brings me to my latest motivation tool, this website. At the bottom of each post, I'm going to post a "Days On Bike" and "Miles Ridden" tally. Not sure if I'll count trainer days or not, but just thought it would be interesting to have a tally and hope it helps me get motivated to get on the bike on days like today, when I usually would not have ridden. When I get a little further removed from the holidays and the surgery, I may even be bold enough to post my weight in each tally.
2009 Totals
Days on Bike - 2
Miles Ridden - 14
I've never been a big fan of cold. In Tulsa, we used to play roller hockey in the mornings before work. The others would laugh at me as I would sit in my truck, engine running, till everyone was on the rink and skating. Then I would promptly head to the rink, play our hour or so and then return to the warmth of my truck and drive home. I think most of them thought I'd never make it in Colorado, but since moving here I've toughened up, or at least I've bought some good cold weather gear.
Today after going back and forth about getting out, I finally just decided to suck it up and get out. I kept thinking back to the last 8 weeks when I couldn't get out for a ride and decided I would brave the cold weather and ride.
I geared up, AmPhibs (Love Them!) on under my Helly Hansen pants, long sleeve winter jersey with fleece vest, skull cap and ear cover. Told Jill I'd be gone 30ish minutes, and was hoping to make it that long. Didn't take me long after getting outside to realize it wasn't too bad and that 30 minutes would be easily attainable.
For the first time since my Achilles rupture and subsequent surgery I headed for the dirt roads east of our house. Not exactly the "stationary bike" the doc prescribed for me, but I was smart about it. I rode in regular shoes, not clipped in as usual and took it pretty easy. Felt great to be out, and although I'm in terrible shape right now I rode pretty well.
Legs felt good, lungs hurt. As I was reaching the furthest point on my route, I encountered another bundled up biker. We gave each other a head nod and a "you're crazy enough to be out here too" look. Couple joggers and a car or two, but for the most part it was just gravel, me and my one gear.
Ride was 8.5 - 9 miles (not carrying any GPS, heart rate monitors, power meters, etc right now) with a whopping 157 feet of climbing. Yeah not exactly a climbing route, but I'm not technically supposed to be off road either.
Which brings me to my latest motivation tool, this website. At the bottom of each post, I'm going to post a "Days On Bike" and "Miles Ridden" tally. Not sure if I'll count trainer days or not, but just thought it would be interesting to have a tally and hope it helps me get motivated to get on the bike on days like today, when I usually would not have ridden. When I get a little further removed from the holidays and the surgery, I may even be bold enough to post my weight in each tally.
2009 Totals
Days on Bike - 2
Miles Ridden - 14
Hanging at home
The gorgeous weather we've been having has passed through, leaving us with chilly temps and chances of snow. Not all bad though, as we had an excuse to be lazy and sit and home and play with Cooper.
Jill and Cooper color coordinated
He spends a lot of time playing in/around his new tunnel he got for Christmas
Cooper thinks he is ready to drink out of his (or someone elses) cups, so we started giving him a sippy cup to drink a little water. Mostly though, he just plays with it.
Jill and Cooper color coordinated
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| From Cooper Just Playing |
He spends a lot of time playing in/around his new tunnel he got for Christmas
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| From Cooper Just Playing |
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| From Cooper Just Playing |
Cooper thinks he is ready to drink out of his (or someone elses) cups, so we started giving him a sippy cup to drink a little water. Mostly though, he just plays with it.
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| From Cooper Just Playing |
Friday, January 02, 2009
The year that was, the year that is
2008 came and went in a hurry. Seems quite surreal to think that this time last year Jill was about 2 months pregnant with Cooper, and now he is 5 months old. Our lives have certainly been changed forever, but its an incredible change.
Pregnancy sure seemed to fit Jill, and she was a champ at being healthy
I spent the first 7 months of the year skiing and riding like crazy, knowing that the next year wouldn't feature quite so much of that. I came into Cooper's due date (July 20th) at 184lbs and probably the best shape I've been in overall. Then in a snap it seemed like July had come and gone and still no Cooper.
Then on the 1st of August, early in the morning the time came. In what was an eerily calm event, we proceeded to the hospital and 12 or so hours late we had a healthy baby boy and a healthy mother.
1 month came and went quickly
And at about 2 months, we gave Cooper his indoctrination into our family with a hiking trip in Rocky Mountain National Park.
Fall came and Cooper geared up for football season and got to attend his first basketball game at Gallagher Iba.
We kept getting Cooper, Baloo and Molly out when we could, although that would hit a road bump the day after this picture was taken.
My winter sporting and travel schedules took a hit in early November with an ill-fated game of squash in San Antonio that left me with 1 good Achilles tendon.
A week later I'd undergone successful surgery and 8 weeks later I'm walking without the boot and riding my bike, although still a long way from "fixed".
The other big event of the year was our first child, Baloo celebrating his 10th birthday. Baloosy has been around for almost all my post-college life, and is pretty much the best dog you could ever ask for. He may be 10, but to see his energy levels one would think he's a year old.
So to honor Baloosy's big birthday, two of my favorite pics.
We spent 3 weeks in Oklahoma and Arkansas around Thanksgiving. Got to see lots of family and friends, visit Jim and Judy's new swank pad and Super Cooper got to see Aunt LK again and meet uncle Justin for the first time.
Who knows what 2009 will bring, but I expect to see lots more of this...
and this
and probably some of this too
2009 looks to be fine year so far, with the first two days being high 50s and sunny. Here's hoping you and yours have a great year, and as we usually say on our Christmas cards.....
See you on the trails.
Joel, Jill, Baloo, Molly and Super Cooper
Pregnancy sure seemed to fit Jill, and she was a champ at being healthy
 |
| From 2009 Looking Forward |
I spent the first 7 months of the year skiing and riding like crazy, knowing that the next year wouldn't feature quite so much of that. I came into Cooper's due date (July 20th) at 184lbs and probably the best shape I've been in overall. Then in a snap it seemed like July had come and gone and still no Cooper.
Then on the 1st of August, early in the morning the time came. In what was an eerily calm event, we proceeded to the hospital and 12 or so hours late we had a healthy baby boy and a healthy mother.
 |
| From 2009 Looking Forward |
1 month came and went quickly
 |
| From 2009 Looking Forward |
 |
| From 2009 Looking Forward |
And at about 2 months, we gave Cooper his indoctrination into our family with a hiking trip in Rocky Mountain National Park.
 |
| From 2009 Looking Forward |
Fall came and Cooper geared up for football season and got to attend his first basketball game at Gallagher Iba.
 |
| From 2009 Looking Forward |
We kept getting Cooper, Baloo and Molly out when we could, although that would hit a road bump the day after this picture was taken.
 |
| From 2009 Looking Forward |
My winter sporting and travel schedules took a hit in early November with an ill-fated game of squash in San Antonio that left me with 1 good Achilles tendon.
 |
| From 2009 Looking Forward |
A week later I'd undergone successful surgery and 8 weeks later I'm walking without the boot and riding my bike, although still a long way from "fixed".
 |
| From 2009 Looking Forward |
The other big event of the year was our first child, Baloo celebrating his 10th birthday. Baloosy has been around for almost all my post-college life, and is pretty much the best dog you could ever ask for. He may be 10, but to see his energy levels one would think he's a year old.
So to honor Baloosy's big birthday, two of my favorite pics.
 |
| From 2009 Looking Forward |
 |
| From 2009 Looking Forward |
We spent 3 weeks in Oklahoma and Arkansas around Thanksgiving. Got to see lots of family and friends, visit Jim and Judy's new swank pad and Super Cooper got to see Aunt LK again and meet uncle Justin for the first time.
 |
| From 2009 Looking Forward |
Who knows what 2009 will bring, but I expect to see lots more of this...
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| From 2009 Looking Forward |
and this
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| From 2009 Looking Forward |
and probably some of this too
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| From 2009 Looking Forward |
2009 looks to be fine year so far, with the first two days being high 50s and sunny. Here's hoping you and yours have a great year, and as we usually say on our Christmas cards.....
See you on the trails.
Joel, Jill, Baloo, Molly and Super Cooper
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