On July 9th and 10th Abby and I was fortunate to see my Dad (he's going to be 62 on August 5th) ride his bike in the Seattle to Portland (STP)--over 200 mile bike ride! I am so proud of him and so happy I was able to see him do it. What an accomplishment! Way to go Dad!
But it did begin a little rough. . . .
On the 8th he was testing out his bike and went up part of the hill in front of their house to see if everything was working smoothly. He then watched as a firetruck came down the hill and was not watching as his front tire went into a large hole and kicked him off his bike onto his shoulder on the pavement. I rarely see my Dad think anything is painful and as he laid on the living room floor I could tell he was in serious pain. Some worried that he would not be able to ride, but I didn't think he was going to let anything stop him.
Picture of dinner--Wendie and her kids (Kylee and Kevin).
That night we went up to Shakespeare's so that we could leave early in the morning the next day for the race.
Grandma and Kylee.
My Dad's brother, Jon came from Idaho to do the race. It was also his birthday!
Jeremiah helping Caleb to some yummy cake.
July 9: First day of the race! Beginning with breakfast.
Bikes in the van.
Meeting up with everyone and getting ready.
I got to take Jeremiah, Dad and Jon up to the race.
All 5 are ready: Jon, Jerry, ?, Dad, Jeremiah
Off they go!
First pit stop.
We met up with the riders for lunch at a park.
Shakespeare's after Jeremiah finished part of the first day.
Tiff took the kids back to Grandma and Grandpa's house and Mom and I followed the riders to their pit stop in Winlock.
Then we drove back to Grandma's and Grandpa's for some lasagna dinner. The riders were tired but feeling good.
The next morning the riders met at Winlock to finish the race.
We met them at the finish line in Portland. I worked really hard to find a place where my Mom could see my Dad cross the finish line. She was in her wheelchair, so that was a bit tricky. We waited quite a while to see them cross the finish line, but eventually we did. One of my favorite parts was when my Dad saw my Mom at the finish line. I won't forget that.
On the ride home Abby took Uncle Jon's helmet and loved wearing it. What a great adventure! 
I'm so proud of you Dad.
On another topic--my amazingly wonderful sister, Tiffany took me to get a pedicure and lunch on my last day in Washington. A girl came and watched all of the kids and we just escaped for a while. We don't get to do that very often and even though I wanted it to be longer, it was amazing. She is the best person to talk to and I only wish we did not live so far away. She is the best friend and sister I could ever hope to have. Love you Tiff! We must do this again.
On the 8th he was testing out his bike and went up part of the hill in front of their house to see if everything was working smoothly. He then watched as a firetruck came down the hill and was not watching as his front tire went into a large hole and kicked him off his bike onto his shoulder on the pavement. I rarely see my Dad think anything is painful and as he laid on the living room floor I could tell he was in serious pain. Some worried that he would not be able to ride, but I didn't think he was going to let anything stop him.
Picture of dinner--Wendie and her kids (Kylee and Kevin).
That night we went up to Shakespeare's so that we could leave early in the morning the next day for the race.Grandma and Kylee.
My Dad's brother, Jon came from Idaho to do the race. It was also his birthday!
Jeremiah helping Caleb to some yummy cake.
July 9: First day of the race! Beginning with breakfast.
Bikes in the van.
Meeting up with everyone and getting ready.
I got to take Jeremiah, Dad and Jon up to the race.
All 5 are ready: Jon, Jerry, ?, Dad, Jeremiah
Off they go!
First pit stop.
We met up with the riders for lunch at a park.
Shakespeare's after Jeremiah finished part of the first day.
Tiff took the kids back to Grandma and Grandpa's house and Mom and I followed the riders to their pit stop in Winlock.
Then we drove back to Grandma's and Grandpa's for some lasagna dinner. The riders were tired but feeling good.The next morning the riders met at Winlock to finish the race.
We met them at the finish line in Portland. I worked really hard to find a place where my Mom could see my Dad cross the finish line. She was in her wheelchair, so that was a bit tricky. We waited quite a while to see them cross the finish line, but eventually we did. One of my favorite parts was when my Dad saw my Mom at the finish line. I won't forget that.
On the ride home Abby took Uncle Jon's helmet and loved wearing it. What a great adventure! 
I'm so proud of you Dad.
On another topic--my amazingly wonderful sister, Tiffany took me to get a pedicure and lunch on my last day in Washington. A girl came and watched all of the kids and we just escaped for a while. We don't get to do that very often and even though I wanted it to be longer, it was amazing. She is the best person to talk to and I only wish we did not live so far away. She is the best friend and sister I could ever hope to have. Love you Tiff! We must do this again.
