Birthday, Baby Blessing, Boating & Biking

Nothing says "Happy Birthday" to Aaron more than taking a day (away from work) to go fishing.  I fully support his annual tradition because it seems to be the ONLY time he makes for a hobby he enjoys so much.  His preference is go alone but this year he was generous to take Ryan W. along (a reliable HCP employee of 5 years - team-lead in the SRC) who recently graduated from college and is moving his young family to Phoenix, AZ.

Aaron & Ryan

Heather & Aaron at the Eastern Idaho State Fair

Aaron's 45th birthday fell on a Saturday this year.  We had a long list of 'to do's' and it seemed our daily plans kept shifting based on the comings and goings of our children.  In the end, Aaron and I made the drive to Blackfoot to check out a display of Monkey Bars (a garage storage system) at the State Fair.  We walked ALL around the fairgrounds looking for this display and took note of everything else around us.  Aaron and I both have childhood memories of eating "tiger ears" and exploring the Idaho State Fair.  Neither of us indulged in the 'fair food' but did purchase a top-quality trampoline to replace our broken one at home.  We had to drive to IF to pick-up the set at a warehouse so we stopped for a healthier lunch option along the way.

birthday lunch at Great Harvest

Originally, we planned to purchase a new tool storage unit for Aaron's birthday.  When we made the decision to purchase the trampoline, we no longer had room in the back of the truck for both items.  Aaron made a conscious choice to spend his birthday putting together a trampoline for his kids.  What a guy!  And it was a project.

After removing the rusted frame, Aaron sprayed the weeds/grass growing below the trampoline.

The kids were excited to help knowing the end result would be worth it.

Aaron in the trampoline hole.

The kids really enjoy having an in-ground trampoline.  There is, however, a farmer that still flood irrigates the property behind us.  This means that at some point every summer, sub water comes up under the trampoline.  We'll be doing some maintenance on the 'retaining wall' in the future as water is rotting away the wood.

Elsie and Quinn help attach the springs.

Peach Dessert - made from a delicious box of fresh peaches.

Saturday evening, we celebrated Aaron's 45th birthday by having his parents join us along with G-pa LaVerne for a little peach dessert.  It's my annual tradition.  Yummy!

Aaron, LaVerne, Janene, Bob

Quinn - showing LaVerne his Pokemon card collection.

Whitney, Matt & Oliver

Sunday morning we hit the road for UT.  It was fortunate that Matt and Whitney have 1pm church so we didn't have to leave Saturday night to attend Oliver's baby blessing.  All the family gathered for an enjoyable meal at a nearby apartment complex after the meeting.  Matt and Whitney own a home nearby but felt this location would accommodate the large crowd better.  It was very lovely and a welcomed air-conditioned retreat from the heat outside!

Quinn, Aaron, Heather in line for food.

Elsie feeds Oliver

The sandwiches and salads were tasty but the ice cream machine with toppings was a real hit with old and young alike.  Apparently, Whitney's dad (Jeff) bought the unit a few years ago and offers sundaes on Sundays to his neighbors.  It's been a great tool for building neighborly unity.

Quinn and Oliver

Brinley and Oliver

Jantzen and Oliver

New cousins - Polly meets Ollie

We lingered longer and then drove to Layton to spend the night at Bonnie and Bryant's place.  After last year's "boating fail", we took a raincheck which was redeemed on Labor Day at Willard Bay.

Brinley & Jantzen on "Big Bertha"

We set up shade tents, brought chairs for the beach and packed a lunch for the group (Bob & Janene, Matt & Whitney, Breanna & Derek, etc.).  It was a very crowded day at the lake but everyone managed to get their 'fill' of tubing, surfing, boating, playing in the water.  The warm temperatures were perfect for a day on the water.  It was so kind of Bonnie & Bryant to provide the entertainment for all of us!

The older cousins did a constant tube swap rotation in transit.

Aaron and I had fun riding the red flat tube.

Jantzen and Derek had the easiest time getting up for surfing.  Matt was very persistent and had a few good rides.  Aaron also surfed but wanted to take things easy with his upcoming bike race.  It's good he stopped when he did because he didn't want to exacerbate a tweaked shoulder.  After packing and cleaning up, we changed into dry clothes (in the car) and headed for home (stopped in Poky for a late dinner).  With school the next morning, we got home later than originally planned but had an awesome weekend.  

Aaron, Matt, Brett - Friday night at check-in

Friday afternoon (Sept. 8), Aaron and I loaded up the truck and picked up Brett & Kara for our pilgrimage to CV.  We met up with the other riders upon arrival and the group ate dinner at Rumbi's.  It worked out for Brett & Kara to stay with a cousin (around the corner from Hilary & Adam - same ward) and there were enough beds to accommodate Matt & Jane S., Kelly B. & Ann P., Zac & Jeralyn P. at my parents house.  Since Mom & Dad have been traveling (European cruise, England/Wales with McKay's family), Aaron and I stayed in their room.  There was much anticipation for the big 206 mile bike ride the next morning so nobody stayed up late (and some slept better than others).  We had a women's team, 2-person relayers and single riders. Everyone had different start times in the morning.

Matt, Aaron, Brett - late 7:09 start time

Selfie in parking lot before the ride.

Kara & Heather - selfies in Afton, WY

Support Crew

The boys trained harder this year and felt very prepared to complete another 206 mile LOTOJA experience together.  As support crew, Kara and I had our detailed instructions and packed coolers ready to go as they rolled into the first stop, Preston, ID.  Right on time, they looked good and ready to take on the mountain climbs.  Aaron's shoulder was a little bothersome but he had ibuprofen to offset the pain so he was in good spirits.  The next time we would see them they would be finished with the climbs.  Fortunately for us, we got an update from Kelly B. (relayer) when they rode into Montpelier, ID.  We were surprised to learn that Brett had an unusual 'rushing heart episode' that left him feeling sick/weak and slowed the boys down a bit.  Kara said he randomly and infrequently has had this happen since high school.  Kelly said Aaron looked great and had the most energy of the bunch.  

Waiting in Afton, Kara and I were able to check in on our 2-person relayers, Zac and Jeralyn, both very fit and aggressive riders.  Zac had a terrible time with cramping when the passed off to Jeralyn.  We later learned that Jeralyn shredded a tire with only 37 miles to go until the finish line.  They were out after impressive rides.  As the women's relay team met up with us at the park in Afton, we knew something wasn't right.  The boys had fallen way behind schedule and we were a bit concerned.  When a call came from Aaron, I knew he was in trouble.  After the Strawberry climb (he felt strong), he took a new supplement he had tested out only once before (and the circumstances were different).  That single decision had serious consequences for him. He knew he was in trouble within 2 miles of taking it.  He gutted his way through the next 50 miles with chronic muscle cramping and spasms in constant pain.  It was unlike anything he had experienced before.  Matt & Brett were not far ahead but he was unable to communicate with them so he called me to say he would not be finishing the ride.  He didn't want Matt & Brett to wait for him in Afton.  Disappointed and exhausted, Aaron rode into Afton within a minute of Matt & Brett leaving but he knew he had given his all on that day and in those circumstances and was at peace with his decision.  

Truthfully, we had concerns about Matt & Brett being able to finish 'in time'.  Brett didn't look good and both were weak heading into a cross-wind through Star Valley.  As Aaron and I drove along the route until we turned for home at Alpine, Matt had already dropped a mile behind Brett.  That evening, we followed the riders (thanks to find my phone iPhones app) as if it were the Super Bowl or something.  In the end, Matt was stopped with only 26 miles to go (too dark) and Brett rode in with Kelly (women's team relayer) with 2 minutes until stopping time.  It was definitely a learning experience for all involved and the outcome this year only goes to show what a miraculous accomplishment it was for all three of them to finish together last year.  Many lessons learned!