Jinglecross 2008

November 29-30, Kurt and I traveled to Iowa City for Jinglecross Rock 2008. It was the last bike ride of the season, which we had cold weather and snow! But despite the weather, it was a fun weekend. Here are some pictures from the weekend:

Kurt jumping over some barriers
Kurt walking up the steep hill! I'm sure it sucked.
Me and Kurt
Kyle, Kurt's nephew rode his single speed, and in his category, they had the option to wear a speedo. Makes my teeth chatter just thinking about it.

The guys heckeling the riders, bribing them with money (in a condom)

After the race on Saturday, we all stayed at the Marriott Hotel. I was super impressed with their bed and the view.

This was out view Sunday morning (Yuck snow)
Kurt practicing in the snow.
Kurt trying to carry the bike up a steep, wet hill.

Busy Weekend

This weekend went pretty fast and busy with activities. Friday night after work, I purchased a new "toy." I bought a bike trainer to keep me busy this winter. I found it on Craigslist for $30 bucks. They normally run $100-300 for new ones. I can attach my own bike up to it.
On Saturday, Kurt, Kyle and Julie participated in a charity ride called Cranksgiving. They received a list of 12 items to buy at 12 different stores, and they had to bring them back to the start/finish line. All the items would be donated to Food Bank of Iowa. I decided not to participate and volunteered to spend the afternoon with Alexa. She decided that she wanted to go to Merle Hay Mall, so we ate there, then went to play in the kids' area, then get a treat at Target. Both of us were pretty worn out, so we came back and took a nap. Later that evening, Kurt, myself, Kyle, Julie, and Alexa went to a Chinese place called Wok in Motion. We had sushi and an entree. The sushi was great, but I wasn't too impressed with my meal, which I had ordered chicken & vegetables with rice.

On Sunday, Kurt went bike riding, and I rode my trainer for about 40 minutes. In the afternoon, Kurt and I finished my costume for Tour De Lights, we went as presents. The 2 Julies, Alexa and myself met at El Bait Shop, where we did finishing touches to our bikes and registered.

The bike ride round trip was approximately 12 miles. After the ride, they announced costume winners, but we didn't win. We got beat by an elf! The ride back was pretty chilly. We made it back to the vehicles, then went out to eat at Legends downtown. It was cold, but very fun!

Just a Countdown Update

21 more days until we leave for Las Vegas! It's hard to believe that vacation is 3 weeks away! I'm super excited!

Nothing Exciting Here

Nothing too exciting happened this weekend. Friday night after work, Kurt and I went out to eat and went out to Best Buy. (exciting huh?) I did get a super cheap movie, "O Brother Where Art Thou?" When we returned home from the store we watched it, then headed down to the southside to hang out with our friend Matt. We went to Southport (our hangout bar and future neighbor of Cheese Castle). I don't think we have been there, probably since my birthday.

Saturday Kurt went biking with his nephew Kyle. They had cyclocross practice and then rode their bikes up to Ankeny for a Indoor Bicycling League Kickoff. I spent my day cleaning and raking up leaves. It was cold and wet, totally not fun. After he got back, he took me up there for the kickoff, went out for supper, then went to a Des Moines Buccaneer's hockey game. This was my second hockey game ever, and it was pretty fun. The best part was the fights, I think that's why most people go to hockey games.

Sunday, pretty boring day consisting of laundry, cleaning, and grocery shopping. The best part was is that I actually slept in for once! My old roommate Carissa was in town for the weekend, but unfortunately our schedules didn't work out on Sunday, so I will have to catch her next time. We did visit Kyle, Julie and Alexa, and it was so much fun. I spent the majority of the time playing house. Takes me back to my younger days.

Not much else was going on this week. Gas is down to $1.77, it's colder than heck, and I have 31 more days until Vegas!!!!!

Countdown Update

Just a countdown update: we have 35 days left until Vegas WHOOOOO HOOOOO!

Fun Times in Wall Lake, Iowa

This Saturday I drove home to see my family and attend my brother Jeff's "Surprise Birthday Party." I got to my mom's and my niece and nephew's were at the farm, so I spent some time with them, and spent some time with my God-daughter Emily by making her pretty.

My brother's party was in Wall Lake around 7:30. It was "supposed" to be a surprise, but he knew about it. Plus Emily asked him if her mom was coming to get her so she can help blow up balloons for his birthday party! She has such a big mouth on her. They had a decent turnout with family and friends. I would have expected more, but we all knew had to party.

My oldest niece Britteny
Lordy, Lordy my brother's 40!!!!

My mom boozin it up!
Aunt Charlotte boozin it up!
Emily and Me

While I was at home I also got to spend time with my "son" Chance. Some of you might say Son? Well Chance is my mini-schnauzer, which is my "child" that is staying with his "grandparents."

Halloween

Halloween was fun this year. We got to dress up for work. Our theme was "At the Movies" and our costume had to be movie-related. We had people dress up as a movie extra, Hannnah Montana, Lilly, Hannah Montana's friend, and Punky Brewster. At our other office somebody dressed up as Cat in the Hat, Marilyn Monroe, Lucy (from I love Lucy), and Pocahontas. I picked a character from my favorite movie "Shrek," I chose Princess Fiona.

Later Halloween night, Kurt, myself, Julie and Kyle took part in Spooky Woods Ride here in Des Moines. We left from Rasmussen's Bike shop to Denman Woods. This was my first "at night" ride and I rode a trail that I have never rode before, and yes I rode in my dress. I have to admit that the trail was not bad at all, with the exceptions of a few logs that I had to get off my bike and jump over, and of tight squeezed through some trees. I think I hugged about 4-5 trees, but laughed each time. After awhile we to the Denman's firepit, where the party awaited. Here are some pictures from the night.

Me, Julie, Kyle, Kurt
Kurt and Julie pre-ride
Kurt aka Elton John
(notice his disco ball on his bike, it actually worked with a headlight on it)
Kurt and I at the party.
Julie G aka Eve (love the fig leaves)
Flaming Tree Trunk