Imagacillin

Brace yourselves this could be a long one. Next on the agenda for a shopping day at the outlet mall. Sarah, Amy, our friend Ann Hahn, Lukas and I all headed out to shop till we dropped. Actually we almost did. Our first stop was the Carter outlet. I couldn't resist putting him in this really cute hat!! Believe it or not I didn't buy it!!! It was a warm day and Lukas was having a little tummy ache. Our friend Ann took him for a little stroll while we kept shopping. We went looking for them and we found Ann, with a little panic in her eyes, because Lukas had spit up. I am not sure that Ann was amused. Sorry Ann I thought it was too funny!!!

He did however score a pair of crocs!!!

The next day was really rainy. We all headed into Dahlanaga for registration, and packet pick-up. After a lunch at Moe's, (yum) half the group headed back to the trailer for some bike prep. Sarah, Amy, Lukas and I headed to Cleveland to...........Cabbage Patch world. Who knew we were so close all these times.

In some ways it was a weird experience. They are a REAL doll hospital. All the "babies" are born to the magic cabbage and the doctors and nurses are there to help. They get a shot of Imagicillin, and the cabbage is helped with an Eazyotomy!!!! Yep, I kid you not Then they are taken to the nursery weighed, measured, and diapered!!!! Then they are for sale.

Here they are lined up in one of the nurseries!!

And like it or not, Lukas has his own new cabbage patch. We adopted him and is name is Elliott Lukas.

Back at the trailer Ann and Tom joined us for dinner on a rainy night. Here Ann is channeling her inner mommy!!!

I will apologize in advance for the next picture. Jesse has never been exactly NORMAL!!!!! Very hard to explain why he is doing this but he was obsessed with a certain subject this night. Nuff said on my part......the rest shall have to go unsaid!!!

Sunday morning was ride day. At 5:30 am it started to rain, but by the start it had stopped. The non-riders headed up the mountain to a prime viewing spot. Here you can see Lukas is all set up for some serious cheering.

First a little breakfast with the rest of the cheering squad.

This is the start of the riders coming through. We are about three fourths of the way up on the first big climb. There are 5 more climbs after this. 104 plus something total miles and a LOT of climbing is involved. Unless you have been here it is surprising how tough this ride is. Lukas was cheering everyone on. It was really cute he would wave and screech. A lot of the riders would thank him and wave. Tom said you could hear him up and down the mountain, and it brought a smile to his face and a chuckle. At the end of the ride Amy had someone come over and ask her if it was her son that was cheering on the mountian and how cute it was.

Jesse made a quick stop to say hello and thank the cheering squad.

Dave stopped by to say hello. Then off to climb some more!!!

Ann did the 34 mile valley ride and was very proud of her accomplishment. We were all happy for her and told her next year it would be the 50 mile, 3 gap.

Tom finished the 100 miles and was ready for a few minutes off the bike. Way to go Tom.

Jesse finished strong and the family was there to welcome him in. We are all proud of the accomplishment. He had hoped for a better time but given that he has had other obligations this year and not too much time on the bike I think he did great just to finish.

Lukas and grandpa after he finished. The plan had been to do the 100 miler but he decided the 50 was good this year. He enjoys the riding down here so much that he sort of overrode the days before. Next time he won't be doing 3 gaps, 3 days in a row just before the big one!!! Right???

In an earlier blog Lukas mentioned that he is standing on his own now. He loved it in the trailer in his pack-n-play. He would stand, reach for the other side, walk around, an when he fell he would giggle. He loves his new found skill. Tom and Ann commented that his only problem is that he is NOT HAPPY enough!!! Here he is practicing at the Lumkin county high school while he waited for dad to finish.

The next morning it was up and at em. Jesse and Amy and Lukas got packed and took off a few minutes before we did. We left Georgia and got back home to our own beds at about 1:30. From the time we left we were battling a strong wind. Dave did all the driving and it was a chore. Jesse and Amy had a few detours and stopped to let Lukas stretch his legs, but made good time also. I guess at one stop they met a little girl named Victoria. She loved Lukas and wanted to stand with them and hold his hand, Jesse said she was Kentucky's 6 year old social butterfly. Lukas likes to chew on Amy's little pocketbook and when Victoria left she said in her best southern accent..."good luck to you chewing on you mommy's purse!"

Sarah took over my favorite traveling spot.

We all had a great time. The trailer worked out well for the most part. We had a mix of great weather and some really rainy days. I love spending time with all these wonderful people. It was great to be together. In closing I wanted to include this picture of my sweet little man's first tooth. It was so hard to say goodbye to them all, and I look forward to doing it again soon.

Lukas also learned to to wave goodbye and hello and he loves it. He waved goodbye and hello wherever we went. He waved at the bikers as they went by. And even though I am not including a picture of it he is waving goodbye to you all also!!!!