LOTOJA

One of Brad’s bucket list items was to compete in LOTOJA. LOTOJA is a 200 mile bike race that goes from Brad’s home town of Logan, Utah to Jackson Hole, Wyoming. It takes you through the mountains of Idaho into beautiful Star Valley and riding along the snake River. When Brad and I were in Utah we drove this route so Brad could get a feel for it, and it’s absolutely stunning. And one perk of the national quarantine due to covid was the fact that Brad had plenty of time to train for this monumental bike race.

Since Brad was still working from home it worked out nicely that he could leave for Utah a week before the race and just worked from home there. This way he could prepare for the race more easily. I so wish I could have come, but it was the first week back Face 2 Face at the school, and the kids just couldn’t miss it. I had to be a cheerleader from hundreds of miles away. 

The night before the race he slept over at his cousins place in Logan. Brad had to be at the starting line early so it was nice to be so close. It was a cold morning so he was thankful he had all of his warm gear going through the first canyon.

Brad’s parents were his support team! Meaning that during designated check points they would give him some food and refill his water bottle.  

Here’s a video they took at the first stop point.

You couldn’t ask for a more beautiful day for a bike race, the weather was perfect.

I’ll admit I was extremely anxious all day waiting to here of any news. I was constantly checking his gps tracking coordinates as well as the LOTOJA app to check his progress. I knew he would kill it, but it didn’t help my nerves any less.

My whole family came to Jackson for the weekend to cheer Brad on and so when I saw Brad was close to the finish line I FaceTimed my mom and it couldn’t have been more perfect timing because he was the second bicyclist I saw. Literally just a minute after I got on the call. It was amazing to see him, I teared up watching him ride across the finish line. All his hard work and preparation lead to this exact moment of accomplishment. And although I couldn’t be there in person I was so thankful to watch it through technology.

Thankful to MaryKate for taking this awesome video of Brad crossing the finish line!

 Brad’s goal was to ride it in under 12 hours. He accomplished his goal! (10 1/2 hours not including stops)

He said the last 20 miles was the hardest just wanting to be done, but that medal at the end was worth it! So incredibly proud!

Such a rockstar!

After the race, many bikers like to take a dip in the river. Brad didn’t but I like this shot anyway.

My family up in Jackson before they met Brad and his parents up for dinner. I wish I had a picture with Brad and his parents.

Dinner Celebrations!!

After Brad got back to Utah, Ryan and Sasha had a fun backyard celebration for him. So fun!

Well after all is said and done Brad loved it, and was so glad he did it, but said he won’t do it again. 

That is until a few days later when he kept talking about what he’ll do different next time...

Middle schooler!

How is it that these big milestone moments in life keep coming quicker and quicker and that my firstborn is now going to Jr High?

After not having school for almost 6 months and being online for the first few weeks we struggled a bit in math, but since he’s been back in person he’s rebounded and improving so much! In elementary he really had to work on  reading and writing, but in Jr High it’s his favorite subject along with science. It’s great what a good teacher can do.

Going to this new school only our small section of the neighborhood from his elementary school was zoned to this jr high. Only 20 kids total, and almost all of them were still doing online school so Carson literally knew no one. It’s lonely at first, but he’s quickly making friends.

Carson has been thriving being back at school and loves the more freedom and maturity that Jr  High brings.

 

Kindergarten

My baby is now a kindergartener!! It just hit me like a ton of bricks watching the bus drive away that my baby just left for kindergarten.  I’ll admit it, it was really hard. It was more the fact that all the kids are grown and out of the house. No more toddlers or preschoolers at home to preoccupy my time. The house is going to be so quiet now that I no longer have my little buddy around to play with. 

With corona virus, no outside visitors were allowed so traditional first day back to school things like walking your kids to class or tears and cheers (Orange juice and donuts) for the parents of a kindergartener, were canceled.

 I was heartbroken that I didn’t get to walk him to class on the first day, but thankful he had his big brother Tanner who did. It was a bitter sweet day. I definitely needed a hug.

How does he look so big 😭

So Logan was not shy about telling everyone he did not want to go to Kindergarten. He did not want to learn to read. His brothers couldn’t wait to go, so his lack of enthusiasm and his downright stubbornness about it baffled me, but it was kindof funny. Poor kid, he has no choice!

It’s currently been 2 full weeks since they’ve returned to school and everyday for 2 weeks he would say it Terrible. When I asked why he just said that school is forever (meaning the day was too long), but finally today for the first time he came home saying that he loved school! Yay!

Face 2 Face School!

It’s been 6 months since we’ve stepped inside school. Who would’ve known that back in March when we left for spring break and never returned that we’d still be dealing with it by the time school was meant to restart! It’s crazy. So now having done 2 1/2 weeks of online school we were more then ready to return to Face 2 Face schooling! 

Even though school now looks completely different with social distancing and masks we couldn’t be more excited to be back! So so so happy and grateful.

We were the only ones at the bus stop this morning! 🚌

 There was no one more excited this morning then this guy. He was just full of energy this morning!

Waiting for the bus that never came. Actually come to find out that last minute the bus changed the pickup time by 10 minutes earlier so yeah we totally missed the bus.

Although it turned a little hectic due to the fact that our bus changed the pick up time last minute, it was nice to watch him walk into school on his first day. Geez I still can’t believe I have a middle schooler. It’s going to be a big year for him and I’m excited to see what it brings!

After having the boys and Brad at home for 6 months it was weird to have the boys gone, but not only that but Brad was also away in Utah. So it was a double whammy having everyone gone and the house so eerily quiet. Luckily we had a girls brunch lined up to celebrate our freedom. It was very much needed as I really needed a hug.

Logan’s first day of kinder! He said it was terrible because it was such a long day, but I secretly think he was just trying to get a reaction and doesn’t want to admit he actually likes school. Ugh this kid. Don’t know what I’ll do with him!