TWO. WHEEL. BIKE.

Riding a bike has been a sore subject in our house for Gwen. I guess it's hard when you're five, and your barely 3 year old brother decides to ride his bike without training wheels. We were so excited for Drake, riding a two wheel bike as a tiny 3 year old!

Gwen then decided that riding a bike just wasn't for her. If I asked her if she wanted me to help her learn, she'd snap out "NO!" And here's the hard part, she relied too much on her training wheels, and would ride her bike leaning on one side letting the training wheel support her. If the bike tipped to the other side so the other training wheel was supporting her, she'd freak out! So she was done.

So are training wheels a good thing or not? Drake just picked up and rode sans training wheels. Gwen had them, and couldn't learn how to ride her bike.

Anyway, fast forward to last Sunday. Gwen was on the back porch and just decided that she was going to try to ride Drake's little bike, and wouldn't you know, she figured it out! So then she decided to get her bike and take it out front and try to ride. And my Gwenny taught herself how to ride a bike

ALL. BY. HERSELF.

She was so excited, a bike ride to Gigi's was definitely in order.

Look at my cute little bike riders, with helmets of course!!

Oh, and what's that you see on my bike in that picture??

Just my sweet drink holder!!

I love it.

I love my cruiser.

And I love my cute little bike rider!!

El Tour

Last Friday night we went to the Zoo Lights with our friends the Stewarts.

Apparently one of the monkey escaped and put on Gwen's clothes.

Then Gwen and Drake got to spend the night at the Stewarts because early the next morning Ryan and I loaded up our bikes and headed down to Tucson.

We had some good company. Gavin, Emily and Emily's sister Sari did it too.

And I know my helmet looks funny sitting up on the top of my head like that. But that's what you get when you have a $15 Walmart helmet.

At mile 6, we all had to get off our bikes and carry them through a dry creek bed. Even a 14 pound bike gets really heavy after a 1/3 mile hike.

At about mile 45.

People along the way kept telling me they liked my pony tail. I'd say thanks in a weird way, because what's so cool about a pony tail? Apparently this is what they were talking about. It was tucked into my number and didn't know it.

All done! We did the 66 mile course this year, but have our sights on the 109 for next year!

It was so much fun, but I missed my babies so much! When we finally got back into the valley, it was about 9:00 pm. The kids were with the Stewarts for 24 hours! But when we walked in, the kids were disappointed that it was time to go home, and wanted to stay longer. They had SUCH a good time! Thanks Drew and Amy!