PROKO

Sheesh.  I am a terrible blogger.

Anyhoo, in March, Reed and I were able to go to Spokane to watch Karen race in her first race as a professional downhill mountain biker.  Her new handle is "PROKO."  (you know, PRO for professional, then KO for her initials).  We were really excited to get to see her first race.  We were also really, really excited to see the Ousnamers.  Yep---all five of them!  They came from ID (and Bobi Jo from Portland), and we rented a house together.  It was Reed's second time meeting Sheridan, but really his first time....because the real first time he was only six months or so and he did nothing but roll around on the floor, crosseyed.  (not really.  it just seems like he was a total baby then, and he is not so much baby now).

 The Ousnamers are the family we have because of the adoption situation Karen and I had which did not end up in the adoption of a baby.  Sheridan is the "baby", and she could not have a more wonderful, awesome, funny, fun, loving, and awesome family.  We didn't end up with Sheridan as our child, but we ended up with HER and her FAMILY as family that we suspected were awesome, and really are awesome.  LOVE takes many forms, and this is one of those kind of tweeky, weird, and really lucky forms.  We love them.

Here are some shots from hanging around the rental.  (i know you are dying to see the proko shots, but just wait.  they are forthcoming....)

Playing on the bed; PROKO in background

Turns out, mountain bike racing is not exactly a spectator sport.  For us spectators, there is a whole lot of standing around, squinting to see if the rider barreling towards us is "our" rider, and then, for me, there is typically a lot of disappointment--that I completely missed "my" rider, because I was trying to take an iphone pic as she zoomed passed, and I completely miss her passing, as well as the shot I am desperately trying to catch.   Yep.  You really should feel sorry for me.  It is not easy being married to one of these.  :)

Neil and Karen toting Sheridan around on Karen's rig. Naturally, Karen is convinced Sheridan will end up loving mountain bikes.....

Hanging around in the needles, waiting for Karen to ride by.

Bobi Jo, Mary, and Reed hanging out, waiting for Karen to ride by.

As it turns out, PROKO took second in her first race, which was Saturday, and then went along and took FIRST in her second race of the weekend, on Sunday.  Yahooo!!  She was so excited.  We all were so excited.  I was super proud of her.  Like, I know she is a really great rider, but when hanging around her and watching mountain bike dudes (and plenty of women riders as well) approach her and tell how ballsy and awesome and inspiring she is, well, that makes me super duper proud.  She's pretty amazing.

Tired, tired Reedy.  Waiting for Karen to get up on the podium.

They could not be sweeter, could they?  Such LOVE.

Winner!!

Proud Mum!

The gal on the right is Karen's first official groupie.  She asked for a pic with Karen, asked for her autograph, and then picked up a granola bar wrapper Karen had touched.  She probably taped it inside her journal.

I love this one of Mary holding Sheridan.....  Again-- it is not much of a spectator sport.  And it kind of wears out the kiddos.....

(i meant for this to be a pic, not a video. but i love it anyway!!)

And, as a denouement to the weekend, I share with you a sweet little video of Reed and Sheridan in the bath together.  Yes, this is Reed's first bathmate.  And I could not have chosen a better one myself!!!  Listen carefully to Mary's commentary in the background.  Only time will tell!!!!!!!!!!!