The Boys' Big Adventure

In late May, Kent announced that he really wanted to go back to Telluride in July this year. To save money and my limited vacation days, he proposed that he would drive the boys to Telluride, while I would fly a few days later and meet them there. It was an offer I couldn't refuse. So Kent, aka Super Dad, set out on the 16-hour drive on the Tuesday before July 4 with two boys, four bikes and two big suitcases. Plus lots of snacks, full iPads and a bag full of coloring books and other activities.

They drove a whopping 12 hours on the first day, stopping just four times and ending up in Beaver Creek, Colorado. The boys did remarkably well in the car. G was mesmerized by iPad movies, while Miles played with toys and chatted with Kent. Neither boy napped. Their reward for good behavior was roasted marshmallows at the first night's hotel in the mountains.

On the second day, Wednesday, they drove four hours through the mountains, stopping at a train museum in Ridgway before finally arriving in Telluride in the late afternoon.

After a ride on the gondola, they had mac and cheese for dinner with a beautiful view.

Everyone was in good spirits when I arrived on Thursday morning. I was thrilled to see them, and Kent was probably a little relieved to see me too. 

Super Dad is already planning next year's road trip.  

Happy Father's Day

Grant and Miles are lucky to have such an amazing, loving, fun and silly dad—and two phenomenal grandfathers—in their lives.

Ice Skating

After watching it in the Winter Olympics, G kept telling us he wanted to go ice skating. And last weekend was just warm enough that we decided to give it a try at an outdoor ice rink downtown. We were a little unsure whether he would enjoy it. "I'm going to go super fast!" he told us. I think he imagined that he would be glide across the ice, doing flips and tricks with ease. As anyone who has ever tried ice skating for the first time knows, there is more wobbling and falling down than gliding and twirling. But Grant clung to Kent and they happily wobbled around the rink together.

G focused hard on staying upright and grinned whenever he passed Miles and me. 

Miles seemed to enjoy watching and cheering on his brother: "Go Grant, Go!" he shouted in between sips of hot chocolate (which he calls "hot chocolat-o").

As we were leaving, G said to me, "That was our best adventure yet!" (He also told Kent that he was a "fun dad.") I think he liked it. 

Des Moines Half Marathon

Congratulations to Kent, who ran his first half-marathon last weekend! The boys and I {and Grandma and Grandpa} had the pleasure of seeing him a couple of times along the course. Miles thought it was fun to slap high-fives to the runners...

...while Grant insisted on bringing all of his instruments along so that he could cheer on the runners with his "beats." Our little one-man band. It was a great day for running and music-making on the streets of Des Moines.

Happy Father's Day!

We have endless love for the dads in our lives. Happy Father's Day.

Catching Up

We celebrated Kent's birthday earlier this month with cupcakes, candles and party hats. Miles, who has a mad sweet tooth but a distaste for messiness, refused to touch the heavily frosted cupcake. This did not stop him from diving in head first, however.

Mountain Man

In preparation for his upcoming ski trip with the guys, Kent has decided to forgo shaving--something about male bonding and keeping his face warm.

While we are impressed by his thick beard, we look forward to seeing his face again soon.

Happy Father's Day

Here's the thing about dads: who would throw you in the air, make silly noises at the dinner table, teach you the "potty dance," bring you pastries for breakfast from La Mie, let you ride around on his back even though he's still wearing dress clothes, take you to "Old McDonald's" when Mom isn't home, roughhouse with you when you're full of random energy, read you "just one more" book, let you splash in the bathtub, rub your leg when you're crying in the car even though his arm falls asleep every time, or create the "Super Special Super Grover" push on the swing?

Happy Father's Day to the dads in our life: Kent, Grandpa Jerousek and Grandpa Smith.

Happy Birthday

To an amazing dad and husband. We love you.

RAGBRAI

Kent joined his co-workers last Friday to ride a 60-mile leg of RAGBRAI, a week-long bike ride that crosses Iowa from the Missouri River to the Mississippi.

Outside Marengo, Iowa

Victor, Iowa

Rest stop in Marengo

(Photos courtesy of Lindsey Mills.)

Tour de Smith

Congrats to Kent for finishing the Tour de Smith, a month-long quest to ride each day of the Tour de France. While Tour de Smith did not finish on the Champs-Élysées or include a mountain stage (or any doping that we know of), it was an impressive feat, requiring time, dedication and endurance. He finished the tour Sunday morning with a 50-mile bike ride with his sister Kelsey.

Le Champ

It should be noted that he completed his 50-mile ride the day after winning a 3-on-3 basketball tournament, beating teams of 18-year-olds. The old guy still has it!