Friday, October 26, 2012

Final bits of family time and back to Colorado

After North Carolina, mom, dad and I drove back to Vicskburg, MS for a couple of days before heading up to Olive Branch, MS to see my OTHER brother Tully, his wife Andrea and my sweet, sweet, rambunctious nephew Tully III or BUBBIE:)

We went up to visit and watch Bubbie's soccer game, plus dad wanted to go to a couple of record stores in Memphis, TN(where he grew up) and we needed to go to the cemetery to take pictures for my sister-in-law, she is working on the family history.

When we arrived Sunday night, Bubbie was bouncing off the walls!!! He was so excited!! You know the time, where you can't even concentrate on the conversation with his mother b/c he is everywhere and she can block it out like he is the TV in the background!  A skill all mothers can master but the rest of us do our best to just be present;)  Soon after we arrived, Andrea's family showed up and we were all having a great time, it felt like the holidays already.

The next day, dad, mom and I headed north to Memphis to the cemetery.  We visited the Tully plot and the Manogue plot(dad's mom's family).  Afterwards we headed to Shangri-La record store and picked up a couple of local singers: Eden Brent, a.k.a. Little Boogaloo and James Luther Dickinson, the father of a couple of the North MS Allstars band members and some others that I don't remember.  That afternoon was Bubbie's soccer game and all of those kids were so cute!!! 4-6year olds! I also ran into one of my teammates from Mississippi State! SMALL WORLD!

We headed home the next day and the rest of my time at home was filled with family time, helping around the house, running errands, cooking dinner and just spending time with mom and dad.  Mom and I spent a day shopping and I was able to visit one of my best friends.

I'm back in Colorado now.  I arrived on Monday night and Tuesday night there was a surprise party for me held at the Dolores Town Hall hosted by the town manager and organized by Michael! It was so much fun!!!  And yesterday, Michael and I headed to Dolores Elementary to motivate all 400+ folks that were there! haha!! It was so much fun, they were so excited and had loads of questions.

The kids thought:
I can ride 2,000 miles for my longest ride....
I've been on my bike for 12 hours....
The car can carry 30 bikes on the roof....

Enjoy the pictures....
 When traveling with dad.....Bar-B-Que is a given...
 One of his birdhouses;) It's a catfish head:)
 The view of the MS River from mom and dad's house...
 Bubbie's sweet dog - Boudreaux
 Family history...
 Our motto for the day....
 Mom and I on our day out...
 The Vicksburg courthouse....
 Record store...
 Before walking into Target, Bubbie was getting ANOTHER toy....
 OK, so maybe I wanted a toy too!
 Yes, we are those people in the store....
 Visiting some family friends of ours...
 An old teammate from State - yay Bennie!!!!
 Spiderman!!!
 Who do I look like the most?
 WORKIN....or rather taking a break from WORKIN...
 1cent game....
The screen porch.....
Thank you Dolores Ele!!!!

National Championship jersey....note the Mississippi State logo on the sleeves..:)


Reading: My Cave Life in Vicksburg by Mary Ann Loughborough
Watching: The world series
Eating: baked chicken and winter veggies
Listening to: Bo Diddley, Road Runner
Website: http://deccaus.com   My clothing sponsor who made my National Championship jersey...


Friday, October 12, 2012

Family time

The last 2 days of track nationals was the points race and the madison.  My madison partner was the same from last year - Kate Wilson, young rider(19), up and coming, great girl - and without practicing at all, we took second.  Great job in my book.  I took 4th in the points race, nothing special there.

After Nationals I flew to Asheville, N.C. to see my brother, his wife and my sweet, sweet niece - Alexandra.  She is 8 months old and such a good baby!  Mom and dad drove up on Friday and we had a long weekend at Ben's house.  We went for walks, floated the French Broad, went shopping, ate good food and enjoyed fires outside at night.  Wednesday, we left Ben's in the morning and arrived in Vicksburg, MS that afternoon and I will be here till the 22nd.  In that time we are headed to Olive Branch  to see my other brother, Tully and his wife and my nephew(6yrs old).  We are going to watch him play soccer - he must take after his aunt;) - and have some fun in Memphis, TN.

In between traveling and visiting family, dad has me doing all kind of 'projects'.  I call it active, recovery, slaving, start of off season;) hahahahah! Joking.... I really LOVE it.

Enjoy some photos....

 Baby checking out her new carrier..... I think she likes it.
 When traveling with dad, always expect BBQ from somewhere....
 Dad's catfish bird houses.... who wants one?! Aren't they cute?
 Smile for the picture!
 Ben and baby...
 Christmas party idea?! I think so!
Verka!
 My new headpiece....
 My seat for a couple of days....
 Ben and Alexandra..
 Alligator made from Cypress knees...
 Walking the trail down to the river...
 Alligator head placement;)
 Sittin round the fire...
Dad and Alexandra...


Watching: Behind the Barriers
Eating: BBQ!
Reading: My Cave Life in Vicksburg
Website: European racing schedule