Best Invention: Sprinklers

Lexington has been amazingly hot these last two weeks (averages in the 90s). During these hot times, our lives have revolved around the YMCA pool (thank you YMCA...you are a life-saver). When we can't make it to the pool we hook up the caterpillar sprinkler head for Greg in the backyard. Yesterday we were both too busy to take Greg to the Y so we let him run crazy in the backyard. Of course, the first thing he did was run to his car. Water, soccer, and cars...we are a good 4th on Greg's important list.

He has recently started to tell us when he is running. We love it because it is an instant tracking device..."I'm running!"

Greg has also started to love kicking any type of ball. What a great influence the World Cup is.

And of course...the water fanatic shows up.

Baby Dickens is a ............. and Camping!

On Wednesday Amber had her 20 week doctor's appointment and gender determination ultrasound (I'm not quite sure if that is the correct terminology, but doesn't it sound cool?). Some friends in the ward watched Greg during the appointment (thank goodness because it lasted almost 4 hours!). Amber's appointment went well and after a lot of waiting we were finally able to see the ultrasound tech and doctor.

I remember Greg's ultrasound and I was so excited to be there for our second child's ultrasound. Amber was pretty sure that the child was a boy and I thought it was a girl (however, with secret hopes it would be a boy so Greg could have a brother). Let's see if you can figure out what our new addition is...

It's a boy! We are so excited. He is currently about 14-15 ounces and is doing great. We should have known it was a boy because on the way over to our friend's house Greg kept saying, "Baby...boy...yeah."

Here are some other ultrasound pictures...

To celebrate we went camping with the Bylunds to Cave Run National Park. It was a beautiful night and we had so much fun. The Bylunds share my passion for cycling and their whole family brought their bikes. Greg was so excited about the abundance of bikes around him. Luckily little Lindsey was super kind and allowed Greg to sit on her bedazzled bike.

Greg also loved playing with his girlfriend, Ashley.

Before lunch and heading down to the lake to swim we took the little ones on a hike. Amber and I were amazed by how adventurous the kids were.

What a good dad Jon is...

I am also a very luckily dad to have such a wonderful wife and one crazy but pretty well behaved son...

What a fun mini-vacation. And for anyone looking for a great camping area...Twin Knobs at Cave Run rocks! The camp sites are really nice with immaculate bathrooms and a beautiful lake to swim and boat in....hint, hint, hint Grandparents.

As a last side-note. I was reading in Parents magazine today and found that Lexington, KY is the 4th best place to raise a family in the US. We would have to concur with that decision. What a great place to live.

World Cup is Finally Here

Like a kid in a candy store, once every four years I turn into the reclusive eccentric soccer aficionado that scours the internet looking for TV schedules of games, loads every World Cup app to his iPod, memorizes all 23 players from each of the 32 teams, and dreams in exuberant fan celebrations and amazing goals. 

Today is June 11, the start of the best month in sports. I've picked my favorite teams to win it all and to start off the month of celebration Amber and I are having an authentic South African barbecue. 

This World Cup is particularly meaningful as in 2006, Amber and I lived in East London, South Africa (a small city of 100,000) while I worked with the Eastern Cape Province Department of Health. It was a great experience and we both shed a lot of tears when we said goodbye to friends. Four years later the World Cup is in South Africa and I am excited yet deeply saddened that I will not be there. You see, two years ago I purchased group stage tickets to the World Cup with the expectation that I would travel back to South Africa. Unfortunately, when I received my dental school schedule last fall I noticed that classes went to July 3rd. Booooo!!!!!! Two weeks after I sold my tickets UK changed the class schedule and I would finish on Monday, June 14th...Aaaaahhhhhhh!!!!! I am still quite mad that I won't be there to see any of the games, but I am grateful for Amber who puts up with my enthusiasm for soccer. 

I hope that for all my fellow soccer nuts that all your soccer wishes come true and when everything is all said and done that you have at least partied once or twice like these Xhosa women below.

Sun in the Fun: Horsey Hundred

When we first moved to Lexington, my friend Jonathan Bylund convinced me to invest in cycling. So I promptly purchased a nice Cannondale, a pair of spandex padded cycling shorts, a jersey, and a million other cycling paraphernalia. After all purchases were final Amber nearly killed me thinking that I had invested in a sport that I would simply drop after 6 months. Three years, many cold mornings and evenings, and four thousand miles later, you can still find me on my bikes cruising around town. Thanks Jon for the good advice and Amber for not making me return my first bike.

This weekend was the 33rd Horsey Hundred put on by the Bluegrass Cycling Club (BCC). For the last 33 years the BCC has sponsored a century ride through Central Kentucky. After prodding from a third year dental school friend, I decided to enter the event and enjoy a ride through the nice countryside.

Saturday morning Amber and I awoke at 6:00am, packed up the car with my bike stuff, grabbed Greg form his crib and sped off to Georgetown for the start of the event. When we arrived in Georgetown Greg was in seventh heaven. Five thousand cyclists had registered for one of the five available distances (25K, 35 mi, 50mi, 75mi, and 102 mi) and Greg pointed out each one as he ran in and out of the bikes helping me prepare mine for the ride. At one point Amber and I counted how many times he said "bike" in 1 minute...41 (I think somebody loves bikes!). This is us before I took off. What a beautiful family!

I have to admit that I was slightly nervous; a lot of the other riders were riding in groups and I was riding solo. But right from the start I joined a nice older man from Louisville and we rode the first 10 miles together. 

It was a beautiful morning and I enjoyed riding with several different groups. Unfortunately, due to my ignorance of long distance rides >50 miles, my adrenaline kicked in and I entered the 51 mile rest stop having averaged 20.3 mph. Whoops! 

This is the route in pink. 

Miles 50-70 were brutal with short fast descents and long tough graded ascents. I averaged a paltry 12.7 mph over the those 20 miles. Overall the ride included 7500 feet of climbing and as I pulled into the 69.7 mile rest stop I nearly completely cramped up. I decided to take a 10 minute rest and loaded up on gatorade, pickle juice, and electrolyte cubes. The extra time made a world of difference and I was able to average 17 mph over the last 30 miles. 

I decided to stop at the 92.5 mile rest stop and phone Amber to tell her I would be near the finish line within the next 40 minutes. Here I am finishing. 

Greg was so excited to see me, but I think he was even more excited to chug the rest of my grape gatorade. We all have priorities. 

Here is my gps unit at the end of the race. I know it is blurry, I was tired and placed the camera too close to the unit. 

I had such a great time riding in the Horsey Hundred and meeting a lot of other riders. The majority of the riders were from different states. For a large part of the day I rode with fragments of a group from North Carolina and a middle age man from Illinois riding a vintage Trek. But the best part was finishing and seeing Greg and Amber's faces light up with enthusiasm. Thanks Bumber for the wonderful support! 

Papa! Grandmi! and Hayhay!

Thursday night Gordie, Skinny Lynnie, and Hayley flew into Louisville and then drove to Lexington. Greg was excited to see his grandparents and aunt and was in seven heaven when Grandmi made him breakfast Friday morning. It had been about 5 months since Greg had since my parents and didn't miss the opportunity to hit up Grandma and Grandpa for some extra lovin.

Friday night we went out for an early dinner to Abuelos where the vast majority of us ordered the Fajita Tacos...YUM! Greg had a big plate of chicken nuggets and french fries. Saturday morning was sunny and warm so while Skinny Lynnie, Hayley, and Amber went garage sale shopping, Gordie and I mowed the grass and weed wacked. In the afternoon Gordie and I played racquetball and Greg and the ladies played with the amazing train set they picked up shopping. 

After a busy day we settled down for a nice dinner of potatoes, steaks, corn on the cob, and a garden salad. Greg didn't particularly like the dinner we were eating, but scarfed down some chicken nuggets, pudding, juice, and corn. 

After dinner we decided to head out to Keeneland to enjoy the warm weather and beautiful sunset. Greg thought he hit the jackpot as we let him run himself ragged in the fields.

Some day Greg just might be taller than "Hayhay"... or at least we hope! 

Keeneland is such a pretty place. Hayley kept begging Gordie to have her bridal pictures taken there as there are lots of scenic brick buildings and rolling fields. 

Today the grandparents left to go home and Greg was extra sad to watch them leave. Amber and I still haven't figured out if he was sad that they were leaving or that he is left here with us. It is always fun to have the grandparents visit. Thanks for the great weekend!

Bubbles...Oh How We Love Bubbles!

What a great day when the sun is shining and the weather is warm but not hot. Over the last year we have learned that Greg loves three things...1. Food, 2. Sleep, and 3. Bear (his stuffed animal/blanket). With the increase in warm days he is slowly adding to that list bubbles.

After several rainy days, Greg was able to play outside yesterday and what did he want...Bubbles!

He was in seventh-heaven running around, falling down, and chasing bubbles.

Poor Amber was of course the bubble distributer. Let's all stand up and give Amber a warm round of applause for a job well done...Clap clap clap!

The highlight of the day was watching Greg chase the bubbles. His face would light up and off he'd go...running away as if we were going to change his diaper!

Some things just can't be separated and bubbles and little boys is one of those things.

Thanks Greg for the good times.

The Derby...Love It!

Had my first Kentucky Derby party and it was awesome. We had lots of good desserts, fun people, and tons of rain (whoops!). I took a couple of pictures with my cell phone right before the call to post. This is my favorite.

Thank you to all that attended and I apologize for the lack of chairs. But what a great time!