Biking for Fairy Houses

My post title sounds like some charity event, doesn't it? Well, it would take something special for me to get on a bike. Yes, I know that my hubby has been spending an enormous number of hours on his bike. Me? Not so much. I have a bike that my Father-in-Law has given to me...thanks to his fantastic bike shop in NW Iowa (PSA...if you are from that area and need a bike, let me know in the comments and I'll give you his info!). It's a pretty bike. Red with, um, gear things, and wheels. Sounds fancy schmancy, right?! But, sad truth to be told, I don't ride it often.  It took my kids, Dan and some fairy houses to get me to jump on my two-wheeled contraption and take it for a spin.

Sunday night was a beautiful, gorgeous, can't-get-any-better-than-this-in-our-part-of-Kansas kinda night.  If weather was like this all the time, then no one would live in Southern California. They would all move to Kansas.  But, then again, I guess our humidity is good to keep the riff-raff out. :) Anyway, Sunday night was one of those nights where you are so happy to be living in the Midwest. A night when Fall and Summer are having a perfect night out. You know what I  mean? Anyway, we decided to go on a family bike ride and go on a hunt for some fairy houses that we heard are on a trail not too far from our house.

We were not disappointed...a sweet and creative person in the neighborhood has decorated four bases of trees to look like fairy houses. Complete with doors and decorations. The kids were spellbound!

Fairy House #1...have to say that the kids drew back a little when they first opened this door...someone had put a troll in the house which startled the kids a bit. Since it was the first house we saw, they didn't know what to expect and when they saw the spikey haired troll, I think for a split second they thought it was real! :)

There was a place to give a note to "Fairies." 

Hey, Fairy House! The 1990s called and they want their troll back!

Fairy House #2...this one was a "stand alone" fairy house. Maybe for the fairy that likes to have more privacy?

Off to discover the next one!

Fairy House #3...didn't get a picture of this one. We actually saw a friend that we haven't seen since we moved here. We were chatting with him and his kids while our kids were checking out the fairy house. But, it was just as cute and creative as the others.

The last house, Fairy House #4, was the kid's favorite. They loved the little path and there was a little broom that they used to sweep off the front step. I was happy to see that the fairies are patriotic.

Glad I donned my bike helmet and joined the fam for this bike ride.  And, since I look so cool on my bike, I may even do it again!!

Cutest Biker Gang Ever!!

Cheering on the crazy

Hello there! Many apologies to my readers (Hi Mom! Hi Sisters!) for the lack of posting in the last 30+ days. As I sit here, I have no idea what I am going to write about. Not that we haven't been doing stuff, but there haven't been moments of brilliance to the point of which I say "Oh! Something to blog about!" Even though that's not the point of this blog. Guess you could say life has been blessedly plain.

This fall (actually the last 19+months), the kids and I have taken a backseat to Dan's training. Wait, that statement came out wrong. We have slowed down some of our activities on account of Dan's training, especially this fall.  There, that's better. What is he training for? He's training for a crazy event called an Ironman.  2.4 miles of trying not to drown followed by 112 miles of pedaling away, and then, if that all weren't enough, 26.2 miles of pounding the pavement...all to be completed in under 17 hours in one day! Phew! Crazy, crazy, crazy. Some would use another word (not me of course). :)

I think people assume that since my husband does these types of things, he must have married a woman who would also participate in the crazy with him.  Oh no. Trust me. I have decided that the 13.1 miles of a half-marathon are good enough for me. And, even that, I do semi-unwillingly. I have had a nice excuse as to why I haven't run a mile (actually even less than that) since October 19th of last year...my training would get in the way of Dan's training. And, we just can't let that happen. :) We just can't. Now, I am not sure what that means for November 3rd when he's done with the Ironman.  We'll cross that bridge when we get to it.  Of course, we'll cross that bridge at a slow leisurely pace, no need to run.

Dan's latest race was back at the beginning of September in Des Moines.  Have to say I am very proud of him.  He got 3rd in his division!  That was super cool to see.  Dan's parents were also there to cheer him on which was a good time.

I think for the time being I will focus on my ramping up my cheering practice...will have all day to perfect it on the 2nd of November. :) Seriously thinking about getting this shirt:

Heck yeah!!

Or perhaps this...

This is my kind of Ironman!

By the way, to follow my hubby and his training go check out his blog: Geek vs. Ironman.

Well, whadda know? I did have a post in me.  Hopefully, it won't be another 30 days until I feel inspired again. :)