So I’m taking my turn to post and, of course, this post will be about cycling.  The Tour of Missouri has been going on this past week and we decided to drive down to Jefferson City on Friday afternoon to see the end of stage 5.  It was a 2 hour drive but well worth it.  The tour had some of the best teams and the best riders so to miss it would have been plain dumb! (How glad am I that I married someone who thinks cycling is as cool as I do, very lucky) It had been raining all day in Kirksville but we decided to chance it and loaded up the kids and the Chambers family and headed out.  About 40 miles out of Jefferson the rain stopped and the roads where dry and the cycling gods smiled down on us.  The race ended with 2 laps around the capital building which equaled 3 chances to see the peleton roll by and plenty of chances for Brad and I to geek out! For the first 2 passes we stood at the 150 M mark where the crowd was thinner and we could get a good look as they went by.

Jackson liked watching them “go faster”  I think he expects his next ride in the bike trailer to be a little more exciting now that he’s seen how fast a bike can really go.

Once they headed into the final lap we headed up towards the finish line and found an empty spot down on the barriers at and Brad and I jumped down into the mix to watch the sprint finish.  This was an uphill sprint finish so you could see the pain as they dug in for that last 100 M.

This was the best pic I had of the actual finish. (Notice Vande Velde in the yellow jersey pushing it to the line to keep his overall lead for the tour, very cool)

Not only was it not raining in Jefferson, but it was about 95 degrees with 100% humidity so we were dying in long pants and the racers looked completely cooked.  I was able to get some pics of some of my favorite riders as they trailed in after they buried themselves to lead out their teams on the last lap.  Here is Utah’s own Dave Zabriskie

Here is Tim Johnson who is a killer road racer but and even more amazing (national champion) cyclocross racer.

After the finish we headed over to the stage to watch see the podium ceremony and the jersey winners for the day.  Here we got to see Christen Vande Velde get the yellow jersey again which I’m sure he’ll finsh with today to take the overall race win.  We also got to see Mark Cavendish get the green jersey.  I’m also a big fan of Cavendish who won 4 stages at the Tour de France this year. Team Rabobank finshed 1, 2 on the stage getting on the podium.

Here’s shot of Brad and I on the barriers waiting for the finish and as giddy as 2 school girls. (we really like cycling despite the fact that it’s not “cool”)

Here is Aimee and Mel wondering why their husbands are so nerdy and why their husbands don’t look as good as these other guys in spandex.

Jackson and the other kids were so good during the race and while driving.  You can see the sweat spots on Jackson’s shirt in this pic, that’s how humid it was and we showed up in long pants like a bunch of suckers expecting rain.

Cycling brings families together (right?!)

Lots of fun was had in Jefferson City and the Chambers are good company (not only for cycling events).  We plan on making this an annual event over the next few years here in Missouri and I’m already excited for next years tour.  For those who think cycling is boring, I don’t really care but I still decided to included these great photos of Jackson and Olivia, world’s best big brother and little sister.

Cute kids.

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We have been waiting all winter to take Jackson skiing.  We wanted his first ski to be fun and didn’t want him to freeze so we kept putting if off, waiting for the perfect bluebird day and then all of a sudden Aimee was 8 months prego and her belly was too much of a target for out of control skiers on the bunny hill to run into.  This last Saturday, the stars were aligned, Aimee was not with child, and it was the perfect bluebird day with lots of sunshine and soft snow so we got Jackson up on the mountain.  My friend Josh put it best when I talked to him as we were driving home from Alta after skiing and I told him what we had been doing, he said “That is so cool!  I can’t wait to do that one day with my future offspring”  Josh is getting married in a few months and I’m sure he’ll have his kids on skis as soon as they can stand.  Well, it was way cool taking Jackson and I have been wanting to do it since before he was born.   It was a lot of fun spending time with Jackson and even more fun passing on one of our passions and hobbies to our lil’ one.  I wanted to take Olivia but Aimee said her feet were too small, lame!  Here are some pics from the day that kinda speek for themselves.

Jackson really liked going fast, hence the “speed tuck” in this next pic

We are really going to miss Utah and skiing.  Hopefully the snow falls early this next season and we can go a few times while we are visiting over Christmas.  I know Jackson will be excited to go again. 

P.S.

You know you have a good big brother when he’ll squeeze himself into your tiny bed just so he can lay by you.

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It all started with Aimee feeling like CRAP on Wednesday, throwing up each meal and having aches throughout her entire body. Aim went to bed at 11 noticing a few cramps but nothing too indicative of labor. Around 3:30 she woke up with some serious contractions and decided to get up and time them. After an hour I joined her for about a bit and the contractions were coming quicker and harder so we packed up, I tearfully shave my mustache, and we headed to the hospital. When we arrived she was dilated to a 6 and after 45 mins she was at an 8 and the nurse decided to call Dr. Smith (great name). Dr. Smith got to the hospital a little before 7:00 and decided to break her water since she was at a 10 and ready to push and push she did until we had our little Olivia at 7:25. Watching childbirth is amazing and truly a miraculous thing, especially when it is your own.

Some of you may know that Aimee went natural with Jackson on account of the hospital sending us home initially and our arriving back at the hospital with Aimee dilated to a 10 and too late for an epidural. Well, crazy or not, Aimee really liked going natural and wanted to attempt the same with this birth. We took hypnobirthing classes and Aimee amazed me once again by going natural with Olivia. She was incredible and did wonderful during the labor and birth. It was an amazing thing to watch her get focussed and calm and breathe her way through each contraction and then just sit back in between contractions and be so confident. I think she’d be the first to tell you that it hurt and that she felt some serious pain but, in the end she did what she set out to do and she looks and feels great because of that. I am so proud of her, she’s tough as nails. Even the nurses commented and how Aimee smiled and laughed in between contractions and how well she did during the birth. Here she is just playing it cool in between a contraction.

Jackson has done great stepping up as the big brother, he loves his little sister “Oweeva” and is very concerned with each little noise she makes and is quick to try to shove the binky in her mouth, whether she wants it or not.

Jackson was even willing to help feed Olivia…

The novelty of the new baby sister did soon wear off and it was back to some intense cartoon watching until cousins started to show up and then it was time to show off the new sister and how cool it is to be the big brother.

It is crazy to think that we are now officially a family of 4! It’s a little scary to be starting over but having done it all once before gives me a little confidence and I’m not feeling freaked about bringing a newborn home (I thought I was going to puke during the drive home with Jackson) Here it is, the official family of 4!

and here is a shot of me pretending to know what I’m doing.

Little Olivia is already so alert and loves to eat her hands, and seems to have trouble closing her mouth when she sleeps. Half the time it’s a full on fly trap and other times her tongue hangs out, either way it pretty cute.

Thank you to everyone who has visited, called and helped out over these last 2 days. It is very likely that our next baby will be born out of state and we will surely miss all of the support and company of family and friends. A special thanks to the Grandmas who helped out with Jackson. Who else could you call at 5:00 am to ask to watch your kid?

We are all again tired and will post more pictures tomorrow once we are all home and settled.  Almost forgot, a heartfelt thanks to my handlebar mustache for getting this birth rolling! Best induction method around if you ask me.

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Introducing Olivia Valentine Smith, 6 lbs 5 oz, 18 inches. Born March 20th at 7:25 a.m. Mommy and baby are doing great and so are daddy and big brother.  We are super tired and I’m going through mustache withdrawls!  More details will be posted soon.

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Many of us have heard of various ways to induce labor.  You have your medical interventions such as stripping membranes, pushing pitocin or you have your more natural means such as eating spicy food, jumping on trampolines and, my favorite, hugs before drugs (a.k.a. doin da sex!).  Well, I have now introduced a new method into the system, grow a handle bar mustache, or any mustache  as far as I’m concerned, and refuse to shave it until the baby is out!

Here is me with about 2 weeks of growth and going strong.  Now I’m not sure if this should be filed under a medical or natural method of induction but I’m thinking I have a possible topic for my research.  So just remember, the quickest way to put an end to this…

(Not an end to the Aimee making me waffle iron cookies, but an end to the pregnant thing)  Is this…

(This picture shows off the true bad A’ness that is the handle bar stache)

P.S.

Even Jackson is ready for the baby to arrive.  He is a little OCD about his shoes and always puts them against the back of the couch with the toes just barely under the couch.  As soon as he gets home, shoes come off and placed in line with the rest.  The other day Aimee was taking inventory of new baby stuff and the little pink ballet shoe thingys disappeared  and she asked Jackson where they went and he said “Out with Jackson’s shoes” and there they have stayed.  What a good big brother.

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So my goal is to become a better blogger. I keep telling myself that I’ll be better once we move. So much has happened over the pass few months that it’s hard to play catch up. Our focus here at the Smith home has been all about the arrival of our new little one, moving and of course Jackson. We have found a home in Kirksville that we are going to buy—you can’t beat the prices of homes in Kirksville. We are very excited and the final purchase will probably happen in May, although we wont be moving until late June.

For those of you who don’t know we are having a little girl. I am down to my last 4 weeks and feeling very ready for this pregnancy to be over. Tyler and Jackson have been very patient with a sick wife and mom. We are excited for our new little addition to our family, even Jackson seems to be excited although I’m pretty sure this baby will rock his world—he is pretty spoiled. Last weekend Nicci threw me a little baby shower. I was extremely grateful since we have nothing girly. We were very spoiled. Lots of pink and everything I opened was followed with me saying “how cute”. But girl stuff is just so cute.

Jackson is always keeping us busy and laughing. We have spent the last 3 weeks in serious potty training. We thought we would give it a try before the baby gets here. He has been doing pretty good but it is quite challenging. We are learning lots of patients. He loves his cool new underwear. We have buying all different kinds and also throwing away all sorts of cool underwear. He’s always sad to see spiderman or spongebob go into the garbage. He looks so cute in his little underwear because he’s so tiny that the smallest sizes are big on him. He is also on a kick of having to have his toys wherever he is—eating, sleeping, in the car. He loves his trains.

I thought I would throw these next two pics in for Daniel. This was last weekend at Daniel’s last home game at Westminster. It has been so fun to watch him play over the last 4 years. We will miss it and so will Jackson, he loves his Uncle Daniel.

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I just wanted to brag a little about my hubby, and I can do that because I’m the wife. Tyler has been accepted to the dual degree biomedical masters/medical program at ATSU in Kriksville, MO. He will be doing the research program at the medschool. They only except 12 students a year so I am very proud of him. We are very excited about making the move to Kirksville, I can’t believe we’ll be leaving the basement. Congrats Ty!!!

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So some business needs to be had. We have slacked on the blog so this will be a compilation/mix tape styled entry.  First off, Thanksgiving was super!  Yes, I said it was super.  It really was.  We took it easy (kinda) and only had to go with my family since Aim’s whole family, with the exception of Daniel ans Shante, was in Vegas visiting the Wises.  We started the day with a run.  Aimee, Shante and I ran the Cold Turkey run up City Creek Canyon.

The run lived up to its name but we warmed up pretty quick once we got moving.  Aimee pushed Jackson in the stroller so that she could have an excuse for going “slower”, as though being 5 months pregnant isn’t excuse enough.  We ran this last year as well and each year they have had tons of free stuff at the finish like cliff bars and Kashi foods.  We loaded up with so much stuff last year that we just recently finished off the goods and this year I think we came away with double what we did last year ( That’s what a jogging stroller really comes in handy for).  It was a haul of goods that we will definately be thankful for, for months to come.

The next matter of business is that of gender!  I don’t know what the deal is lately, but the gender of our kids, born and unborn, has been in question.  First of all, after 2 ultrasounds we still do not know what we are having.

The baby has not wanted to cooperate and so the Dr. has only guessed that it is a girl (hence the ?), but he is so unsure that we have another ultrasound scheduled.  This kid is already proving to be trouble.  I keep telling people we are having a herm, or a shim.  In case you need some orientation for the ultrasound the top is the spine and the “? Girl” is written over the femur and directly above that is the lower abdomen and the big black circle above that is the bladder.  The leg is just a little to high to get a clear shot of the goods.  All well, as long as the baby is healthy we are more than pleased.   Next, as of late, people are repeatedly calling Jackson a girl.  C’mon people!  Granted, the majority of those making the erroneous assumptions are older folks so we will let the rouge comments slide.  Here is a somewhat current picture that shows that Jackson is clearly all boy just with a head ful of ginormous curly hair. (luscious, luscious locks)

So here we are, December already and Santa is comin to town (that was on TV tonight and it wasn’t as cool as it was when I was 8, but Jackson thought it was awesome. Stop animation was the cutting edge back then (It was made in 1970) and in my opinion, it still is) Jackson thinks Santa is, in his words “nice”, and hasn’t refused a Santa visit yet. (Santa is sporting some serious bling on those fingers! looks like somebody has been dipping into the toy budget)

It finally snowed!  We had the early snow storm the end of October but up until this last Saturday we were snowless.  Jackson loves the snow and played for an hour and a half in the 9 inches we got on our lawn. He never got cold and didn’t want to go in for his nap.  It was cold and still snowing while he played so we didn’t get any photos then but here is one of him trying to drill me with a snowball from the October mini snow strom.

Jackson thinks snowballs, snowmen and falling face first into the snow are just about the coolest things in the entire world but, really, who can argue with that list of “the coolest things”,  I know they are on my list.

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So Brad sent me a link to this incredible shirt he found on ebay.  He knows Aimee is a big fan of Saved by the Bell as they have had discussions about their favorite episodes (Lame!).  Anyways, this goes out to everyone because there is a little Bayside Tiger in all of us but it especially goes out to Aimee who always dreamed of hangin in the halls of Bayside, pulling a prank with Zack Morris, giving Screech a weddgy and cuddling with AC Slater after winning state in wrestling.  (remember when a girl joined the wrestling team and put AC in a major bind because he didn’t want to wrestle a girl but he had no choice or he couldn’t wrestle for the championship, man that sucked!)

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It’s always nice to be reunited with something or someone you love. I think it reminds you why you love them in the first place. After a week away, my family is back and it has reminded me why I love them so much. It is nice to have a full house again, although 3 people doesn’t typically fill a house or a small apartment in our case, but you know what I mean. St. George was a nice quick trip but the best part was just being back with Aimee and Jackson. This is just a little shot of our family.

If there’s one thing that makes me sad it’s seeing a bike sit and not be put to good use. This has unfortunately been the case for my mountain bike, I’ve been spending all my time lately dodging cars and riding the road, so for the first time in who knows how many months I got out my mountain bike and headed up to a new trail up in Corner Canyon called Clark’s Trail and daaang was it a killer ride. Nothing beats a moutain ride in the fall. Check out the colors.

As you can see this a classic single track trail with some amazing scenery. The push up to the top is pretty gradual and doesn’t kill you and has some great look out areas like this one.

The way down is fast and has perfect banked turns but some sketchy corners that you have to watch out for uphill riders/hikers, otherwise you’ll end up down in the valley a bit quicker than you would like or beat up by a hiker who is probably stronger than you are.

A lot of people think that going up is the hard part and that going down is this easy part but man do you need some serious bike handling skills to decend well, bike skills that I realized on the way down that I’ve lost. I was reminded of a sign I once saw that said “skidding is poor form” and I’m not refering to the skidding that goes on in your underwear, although that is pretty poor form as well, I’m talking locking up your breaks and bringing down half the mountain with you. Anyways, I think I’ll head back up the moutain later this week and see if I can’t fix my skidding problems , both of them. I took this picture to pay tribute to my trusty, out of date trek once I reached the top and because I rode this trail a little muddy, yeah I’m bad, the man isn’t bringing me down!

So whether it’s a bike you’ve left hanging in your garage collecting dust or your family that you ditched in Vegas collecting vacation debt, get them out and show em’ some love and I’m sure they will show you some love right back. mmmmm bike love.

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