Summer So Far

Life has been a total whirlwind of activities for so long...so I'll start with our little Mikey, who is 4 weeks old today. He has grown so much! Today he charts 9.5 lbs and 21.5" long. Can you imagine growing an inch in 4 weeks? Grandpa and Grammy had him over night last weekend and we had so much fun! Between Auntie Laura, Grandpa & Grammy, he was hardly ever in the bassinet! hehe Carrie is enjoying being a stay at home mom for the time being. She's back to work in a couple of weeks though.

Dave and I have been riding our motorcycles every chance we get. Our first BIG trip was the beginning of June when we rode up to Minnesota to hang out with Dave & Elaine. Of course, we picked the coldest weekend in Minnesota June history! We still went for a ride: Dave & Elaine on the Goldwing, then me, then Dave. Dave H. took us on some really twisty roads and beautiful country. Saw some bajillion dollar houses too. Our ride home was cold cold cold, about 52 degrees. We never got rained on but had to stop to warm up!!

We usually take trips from 150-200 miles round trip. Dave takes out the map and plots the roads we take. We've watched the corn grow from seeds to 6' tall. It's a beautiful thing. Our last day trip was to Cedar Rapids. Laura & I wanted to shop at a certain store so she followed us in her car. While we were shopping, Carrie & Mike decided to go to Cedar Rapids to eat at Red Robin...so we met up with Carrie & Mike, baby Mikey, & little Michael (yes, 3 Mikes) and had great burgers there. Red Robin-Yummmmm

We are considering a longer trip on our bikes before the summer is done. Who would have thunk it?


























The 3 Michaels & Carrie (sorry honey)

HE'S HERE!

Michael Henry Lofstuen
Born June 24, 2009
6 lbs 11.6 oz
20 1/2" long



You are all going to be sick and tired of seeing this little guys face...but we can't help it!!

Carrie is doing better now, but needs some time to recover from a c-section. Mikey is the proud papa...he's already teaching baby Mikey to be tough! hehe Pics of Grandpa are on a different camera so coming up soon!


Carrie's first time to hold little Mikey.

Awaiting the call....

Waiting for a baby. Easy enough for me but Carrie and Mike have been up and down this past week. If you read Carrie's blog, you know they went in early this morning to be induced...whoops! Nope, go home and call us at 11am to see if the unit is ready for them...whoops! Nope, no baby today. Too many things happening at the unit...whoops! Nope, come in at 10am, the doctor said the baby is going to be born today! Phew!

I will be joining them soon after. I've got Phase 10 and Farkle packed, Cycle magazines, cameras, phone, and I'm taking my laptop! I have a feeling not much of this stuff will be touched but it makes us feel better to think we will have something to do! LOL!

We'll let you all know the results :o)

Dave and his "New" 2004 Harley-Davidson Road King

The Sportster and the Road King together. Aren't they sexy?

Yes, it's true. Lois is actually riding the Sportster and has retired the Rebel (anyone wanna buy a Honda Rebel? It's a sweet little starter bike... :o)

Today was spent doing exactly what we wanted to do when we talked of getting the bikes; riding county roads, viewing the scenery, stopping at new places and restaurants, smelling the manure in the air....money smell!

Somehow, we started going west but ended up going east and in Readlyn. Carrie & Mike had just gotten home from CF. They are very very busy working on their bedroom and nursery upstairs. Dave and I will more than likely go paint some more.

This afternoon: Mike and Carrie....21 days left!




When we stopped in Readlyn this evening, I told Carrie she looked even more preggo than she did earlier in the day. The baby moved up some, changing her shape. She said she could hardly breathe cuz little man was up under her lungs. Poor baby...but it's going to be soon!!

:o) :o) :o) :o) :o) :o) :o)

When Dave first came home, I had "over 60 miles" on my Rebel. I took this pic last night after returning from Readlyn. As you can see, Dave and I have been riding quite a bit since he got home, mostly around town. I've seen places in Waterloo I haven't seen in years!

Yesterday was also exciting because I finally decided it was time to try the Sportster. Dave and I went to a quiet place in CF. It's definitely bigger, more powerful (healthy respect for that), and sounds cooler than the Rebel hehe. Other than adjusting to the size difference, it went really well. Dave asked if I wanted to ride it to Readlyn...I declined. I need to get some practice going 25 mph first!

A few pics from the homecoming ceremony May 16th:

The Wonderful State of Wisconsin!

Dave is in Wisconsin...He loves the green green grass, the not so sandy air. Homecoming is going to be soon...soon. It will be at the AASF #2 (the hangar)at 2:00...some afternoon. Okay, you know the Army! As soon as I know, you will all know!! I hope you can all be there. Even if you can't be, he will be here in CF/W'loo for a very permanent time, OR ELSE! hehe

BECAUSE...I said so! Can't wait!

Today's Lesson

One of the things I wanted to do today on this mother's day, was to take a ride on my Rebel. The problem with the Rebel is that by the time you are going 25 miles an hour, you are shifting into 4th gear. It seemed to take forever to get going and it is common for drivers to go around me if possible. That doesn't bother me much but it is a bit embarrassing.

I have been so cautious when I start out because of my accident last year (extreme acceleration right off the block). For some reason today, I took off from the intersection like a mad woman and put some acceleration into it! That felt just right and now I know how to get my speed up faster...give it some gas. hehe

Best news today is Dave is most likely en route from Iraq/Kuwait. He'll be in the states within a few days and home not long after that. I will announce when and where the Homecoming ceremony will be held as soon as I know that info. Y'all are welcome to welcome home the 20 soldiers we have returning!