Alexander's First Kanakuk 2011

All I am going to say that Alex had a wonderful time, made a lot of new friends and tried a lot of new activities, bungee jumping, water skiing, repelling, rock climbing, etc...He came back a "new young man" that we are proud off.  We love this positive, exciting change in new Alex!

Mother's Day 2011

Enjoying a glass of wine after our hike / bike adventure, on my porch with lilacs in bloom, intoxicating...

It was truly a beautiful day.  Alex's friend Alex came over and Tom and I took them biking to Cooper's Landing.  On the way back we stopped at Eagle Bluffs and hiked all the way to the top.  The views were incredible. 

Days like that make everything feel so right and easy.  Looking at Alex's happy face and listening to him talk with excitement was all I needed that day...It was a happy Mother's Day indeed. 

Tom went all the way with us to Cooper's!

This wasn't Mother's Day.  Just a leisurely stroll through Rocheport last Sunday. 

Vino Fondo 2011

Starting this blog today from the end of the day.  Great post event food!

What a great day!  The pictures are out of order for the day, but I feel too lazy today to try to rearrange them.  

On May 7th, Tom and I went on a newly organized ride to Augusta, MO.  It was the best bike ride I have been on in Missouri!  Great roads, gorgeous views and awesome Big Shark support on the road.  We will definitely do it next year!

Here, Joe and Tom after the ride..

Below, one of the stops in Washington, MO. 

Just before the ride it was still cold and rainy.  Within first 15 minutes, the sun came out and it got very pleasant.  Everybody was shedding their clothing and rain coats...

Joe rode with us the whole time, I never met him before, but really enjoyed his company.

Passing wineries...

My favorite were the chamomile fields...smell, intoxicating...

Getting ready to start our 87 mile ride...

Spring 2011

Newly discovered deer trail. 

Last Sunday, Alex and I had a wonderful time looking for morel mushrooms and arrow heads.  We found none of these, but instead we found beauty and peace that afternoon and that was sufficient to make us both very happy!  We wanted to go again today, but it has been raining.  Rain...rain go away... 

Flowers, flowers...don't know your name...you touch my heart.

Trizou Race May 1st, 2011

Trizou Triathlon takes place in Columbia every year, first weekend in May. We have done this race many times, but this year was my best Trizou event ever.  Everything felt just right, with exception of 2 little hick ups, one during transition from swim to bike, I had a problem taking my bike off the rack and second, during the bike course I almost got hit by a car.  The car situation was kind of scary, but I quickly got over it, got back on my bike and rode away.  I was happy with my bike split, but my run split beat all my personal records and expectations, 5:36 minutes per mile!  If I raced in Elite division, I would have won some money!  I ended up first in my age group (40-44) and third overall.  Just a great day.  One of my inspiration for this race was a book I am reading "Fit Soul, Fit Body" by Mark Allen, the most famous and accomplished triathlete of all times.  The book gave me some ideas on how to deal with stress and how to connect with the world around me for my benefit.  One of the ideas is to utilize nature's and other peoples energy, feed on it and feel its force and power.  Pretty cool ideas for relaxation, performance and stress.  I would love to one day go to one of his retreats and actually practice some of the techniques he talks about in his book. 

Tom took 3d place in his division. 

Here is me with my age group rivals. 

Here are the top 4 women, Elite division.  I would have been 4th today had I signed up to race in this division.  I have no regrets that I did not.  I am happy for Angie for getting on the box, but I am secretly ecstatic for beating her time today!

Here is Louise King and her mom.  They both raced today, I knew Louise was talented triathlete, but I had no idea her mom was as well.  Her mom and her dad watched Alex last year during Branson 70.3 Ironman.  Alex had a great time with them.  Louise's parents are from South Africa, very interesting people.  Both are very athletic and fun to be around, they radiate happiness and zest for life.   Alex really enjoyed spending time with them. 

Alzhaimer's Ball April 9th

"Forget Me Not" was the title of this event.  Alex resisted putting on his tuxedo, but in the end I think he enjoyed himself, or I hope he did.   He definitely played the part of a well mannered, handsome gentleman.  I loved the way he looked! 

The professional dancers performed almost all evening, I enjoyed every minute of it, Alex claims it was boring... 

Just handsome!

Alex and I getting ready.

Dancer's foot

Corrine and her dance instructor performing fox trot.  They did a great job!

Skiing in Keystone, Colorado

Keystone is a really neat place  We skied there before, but not in season, so most of the slopes were closed.  This time everything was opened and it was not not your typical Colorado weather.  Normally, in March, there is plenty of sunshine and pretty decent temperatures.  This time, we had a true "skiers weather," snow blizzard, whiteout every day and best of all, skiing in powder on day 1.  Day 2 we went to visit our old ski resort Copper Mountain.  And of course, just to tease us the weather was perfect, plenty of sunshine and great temperatures!  I think Copper Mountain was saying "this is where you need to stay next time, you miss me, I am the best..."  OK, maybe...We will consider it again, I promise. 

Sunshine in Copper.

We know Copper Mountain so well, Tom knew right away where to go to get a decent cup of Espresso...

On the way from Keystone to Copper, the only clear day this week. 

Espresso...finally

Just sweet and handsome...

Alex's skiing has improved so much this year.  We were amazed how strong and fearless he has become.

Sunny, but pretty cold...

Back in Keystone.  Alex found a way to transport our skis and poles on the cart to the gondola, instead of carrying them on our our backs for about 200 meters.  Not a big deal for us, but a salvation for Alex.

It was really snowing each day. 

In a condo, getting ready for skiing. 

This is our favorite Italian restaurant in a whole world!  Giampietro's in Breckenridge, CO.  It is a tradition to go there at least once during our ski trips.  Alex is consuming the biggest calzone in the world!  Alex told me that in one of his classes at school, the teacher taught them how to make calzone, but he also told them that the American name for it is "inside out pizza."  We thought it was funny...

Apr es ski...

Our cheap little camera did the job.  It is very small and portable, but the pictures do not always come out as imagined.  Little blurry here.

Alex jumping on the ramp. 

This is just me, engaging in the next turn.