A century what?

This is my awesome friend Kim who I owe my bike riding obsession to.  We were on a ride last tuesday and she mentioned that she needed to take it easy because she was going to do a century on Sat.  For those of you who are not obsessed with biking a century is 100 miles.  Kim did a few centuries last year and I remember thinking that is something on the list of not worth it will never do right next to a marathon.  But for some reason it all of a sudden sounded like a really fun idea.  All I did was mention it and it took Kim about thirty seconds to say will you go if I pay for it?  Hmmmmmm You betcha, so off we went saturday morning starting at 7:30 a.m.  I honestly can say that it was one of the greatest times I have ever had.  It is amazing to push your body to the limits like that.  

This picture was taken at the end.  I think we look like we could go at least 100 more.

Along the way I was too prideful to ask them to take a rest so I just started trying to hit stuff so I could pop my tires.  Just kidding you would have thought that was what I was doing but no.  The first time I hit some sheet metal and slaughtered my tire.  We had to back track 4 miles to the previous rest stop, on a tire that Macgyver Layne and Kim jimmy rigged for me with a plastic wet wipe wrapper.  Scored big time by getting a free new tire and a new spare tube.  Off we went again and about 7 miles away from the next stop guess who gets another flat.  Me, I was a little afraid that Layne and Kim were just going to keep riding and leave me to fend for myself, which I wouldn't have blamed them, they both bloodied their fingers trying to get my new tire off while I watched on.  Layne and Kim never let me change my own tire.  (Maybe it is because I never volunteer who knows.) About 40 miles, 3,000 bugs and a lake that smells like the worst Hopey diaper ever I got another one:)  Luckily this one wasn't totally flat, Layne was sitting on the grass holding my tire and I swear he had to be saying a few unpleasant words in his head, I know I would have, when he yells at these two riders going by asking if they had a pump and low and behold they did.  So after a 10 min bicep burning pumping session Layne put my tire back on and off we went to finish without any more incidents.     
The above picture was taken at Flat #3 I think.  Layne and Kim you two are so freaking awesome.  I love riding with the two of you.  You take such good care of me when we go on rides and I just think you are two of the greatest friends a person could ever have.  Thanks for an awesome ride!!!!!! 

Lot's of fun in the Arizona Sun

More pictures from our very short but very fun filled trip to Az.  Hope has been not very nice to her cousin Chloe in the past.  In fact they needed constant supervision.  This trip we had a few rough moments but mostly just fun moments.

Charee and Tanner have this killer park just a few miles away from where they are staying.  They have ducks and fountains and lots of grass with a fun play ground as well.
People told me how fun it would be to have more children to see how different they are from eachother.  Sydney and Hope couldn't be more different when it comes to doing adrenaline rushing type of activities.  I would try to swing Syd when she was younger and she hated it she would just cry the whole time.  She still doesn't really like it.  Hope on the other hand likes it a lot.  Her aunt Rebee who is kind of a dare devil adrenaline junky herself is the one pushing her, encouraging her to embrace the adrenaline rush feeling.  I think they might be  two pea's in a pod when it comes to this kind of thing.

Catch me if you can Aunt Rebee I am headed straight for the water.
Then there is my little Sydney bean who is as cautious as they come when it comes to everything except animals that is.  Her Nana confessed to me that she was much the same way.  No wonder they are such good buddies. 

Sweet running pose I had to share.  
This is Sydney in her element, feeding the darling baby ducks.
This is Sydney not so much in her element.  I think she went around one time and then she was done.
Hopey, Hopey, Hopey.  That is a little bit of dirt in her mouth which the later pictures will explain.  

Please let me go!

Thank you Uncle Tanner.

Seriously her face says it all.  I guess this is how Hopey decided to let out all of her energy after a very long car ride.  
She was picking up the sand and just squeezing it so hard between her fingers.
No she did not fall over, she jumped onto the sand and started rolling around and giving it loves.
It was so dang funny to watch her.  She went nuts.  

That is some of the sand she decided to rub all over her head.
Aunt Charee and cousin Chloe enjoying the sling
Hope enjoyed the sling herself. I am not sure how much Aunt Charee's shoulder enjoyed it.
Thank you so much Brown family for such a fun trip.  We can't wait to do it again. 

People Watchin

It's never too early to get in the habit of some good people watchin.  These two never cease to amaze me.  Not sure who's idea this was but I think it was a good one.