Kids Riding Their Bikes

In the evening of Monday May 19th, 2008, Sienna rode on her bike without training wheels and did it by herself for the very first time!! We are so proud of her, and she is so very pleased with herself too. She started just like anyone else...with her daddy running behind her holding onto the back of the seat. Then he eventually let go and off she went. Of course, as soon as she realized that he was no longer holding on, she panicked and stopped riding. By the end of the evening, she was really getting the hang of it though, and not freaking out so much when Nolan let go. Some of the pictures are a bit blurry, but that's because I was walking with them trying to get a shot...but you can tell what is going on anyway - even with the blurs.

Here she is receiving some initial instructions...
A little help from Daddy..And they're off!Congratulations my little angel!!
(be sure to check out her blog too as this event is posted in her own words on that site)

Of course, Gunnar participated, too. He has been trying to learn to pedal on his bike instead of just pushing along and then dragging his feet. He did it a little bit on this day, but still needs to practice.
He's working so hard...
Good job buddy!

Our new bikes

We got mountain bikes!! They have been so nice! We got them last Saturday (May 10th), and have been riding 4 times so far!! It is awesome...and one helluva workout too! I feel so great by the time we really get going, and even better later when we get home. And I can't remember the last time I worked up such a sweat! Especially while having so much fun - fun exercise is the way to go man! It is also such a stress reliever! A couple of times, I was stressed out because the kids had been fighting all day or something, then it seemed to take forever to finally get going. Well after we were about 10 - 15 minutes into it, I really felt a calming relaxation come over me and started to smile. Then by the time we arrived back home, I felt just wonderful! The rest of the day and evening was totally fine and I could handle anything! Plus I think getting out for the ride helps get the kids in a more amiable mood too.

We got a trailer to tote the kids in and they love it! We picked it up on our way to visit the grandparents and the kids wanted to "test ride" it before their first real ride (which was the next day).
They ask every day if we are going for a ride. It is funny too...we will be going up a long hill or something and need to stop and catch our breaths. Well when we stop, Sienna keeps piping up and asking, "How come we stopped? Let's get going." Or Nolan will ask me if I am ready to get going again, and she'll respond with, "Ya I'm ready - c'mon let's go!' She is so funny!
I am so excited to continue our bike rides and can't wait to get better at it myself. I want to be able to go long distances too, and ride some dirt trails - even wide dirt or gravel roads with the kids in tow.

We have been wanting to get a new elliptical (our other one sorta broke and unfortunately is not really worth what is would cost to fix it), but after riding a few times, we think we will just get an indoor trainer for the bikes and use that on rainy days and this upcoming winter.

Nolan is going to start commuting to work on his bike...he is just working up to it right now. He has to go almost thirteen miles one way. So far he has made it about eight (just around here). By next week, we think he'll be able to start commuting, and hopefully make it on the bike at least 3 or 4 times during each week. He got a few little extras for his bike like this rack for putting a lunch pack and another pack for clothing etc. It sits over the back wheel and keeps the pack away from the spokes - plus Nolan won't have to have added weight on his back.
Commuting will be fantastic exercise for him and and our wonderful little way to "stick it" to the oil companies. Now, I know they won't go bankrupt because we won't be purchasing as much gas, but at least I can rest easy knowing that we aren't contributing even more to the awful oil/gas situation. Plus what a great bonus it will be for our own pocketbook! With how lazy and into big vehicles Americans have become, it would be nice if more able bodied people would jump on board (a bicycle or even a motorized scooter or something) and do themselves a favor (health-wise and money-wise) while helping to reduce emissions, and other pollutants too.

Ok, there's me on my soapbox for the day...
Good Day and Good Health to you all!