Las Vegas Ragnar

What an experience!!

I was in van #2 with Jake, Brooke, Trent (aka A Machine), Dad and Larry Veigel.

Friday October 21, van #2 met up at Jake and Candice's house.

Once we were all packed and proper advertisement of Team Bonk! we were off to met up at the first van exchange.

Marina at lake Mead.. team check in, safety meeting, prep to take over

Kimmy was the last runner in Van #1 and Trent was our first runner in van #2.

Trent (aka The machine)

he is amazing. It looks like he just glides over the pavement while running. Brooke waiting for Trent to come in and start her 1st run.

Love this picture of Brooke. She trained so hard and was ready to run. I loved that once you exchanged runners you would pass your runner while driving to the next exchange.

Always able to cheer your team mate.

Like I mentioned you pass your team mate running to cheer them on, you also drive what they will run. In the 90 degree heat of the Vegas desert. We drove ahead of Brooke and saw the large hill that she had to climb to end her leg of the race. Once we parked the truck Trent jumped out grabbed a bottle of water and ran back to met up with Brooke to dump water on her and give her a drink. H e then ran the last part of her leg with her. When I saw them both running together to the finish I was so emotional. It was awesome.

Getting ready for my first run

Waiting for Jake

Jake finishing and Dad starting

Dad finishingDad recovering

Larry into the first mile

Brad and the boys came to one of the van exchanges. I was so excited to see them.

Larry and Trent finishing Larry's leg. About 2 miles into his run Larry's leg gave out on him. However, he still pushed through it and ran (hobbled) the rest of this leg. Larry could not put any weight on his leg the rest of the weekend.

Siblings

Jamie, Jill, Brooke, Jenny, Trent, Me and Jake

Catching a few ZZZ's at a park waiting for our turn again.

Team Bonk! waiting for Trent.

Early morning in the gravel pit that was a second location to sleep.

Physical TherapyTrent finishing up his last leg at an amazing pace. Brooke starting her last leg.
Brooke passing off the slap bracelet has she finished. I was so excited for her. It was another hot and long run she had. I had a hot and long run in front of me, but Brooke finishing was so exciting. The excitement quickly left has I had to climb a hill in the hot Vegas sun.

Trent getting Jake water

Dad in the middle of his final leg. He did a great job. He had a sore knee, but was able to do it, and have style. Dad ran Larry's second leg in the middle of the night since Larry's leg gave out.Dad passing off to Trent, Since Larry was out Trent picked up his last leg.

Some of the support crewTeam Bonk! waiting for Trent so we can all run to the finish line togetherJake and Dad carried Larry across the finish line.
Team BONK!My favorite part was receiving hugs from all my boys. Once again I just loved seeing all the my boys.

My little support team.

I loved having them all there.

Ragnar was amazing. So challenging physically, mentally and emotionally. Loved being apart of team BONK!

Loved dinner at Raising Cain's on the way back to the hotel. Loved the hot tub soak. Loved crawling into bed.

Until April.....

Las Vegas..Family Time

We had a few days before the big race to enjoy Vegas and all it has to offer with the boys. Our hotel was amazing. we didn't have to walk thru the casino to get in and out of our room, water slides, game room and a kids activity room. Good fun.

Game Room

The first morning we were up so early that I am pretty sure we were at The New York New York Hotel by 9:00. Played a few games in the kids area and headed to the M&M and Coke stores. After that we had seen enough we headed back to the hotel to swim.

Pool side snacks

After an afternoon at the pool we clean up for dinner, Mike and Jamie checked in to our same hotel. The boys were excited.

I am pretty sure Annie and Josh are from the same mold. Those two are perfect for each other.

Jake was nice enough to met us at our hotel and took us to a wonderful dinner. Raising Cane's, It was so good. Chicken fingers , fries and Texas Toast..who knew. So fabulous.

Jackson and Maisy had so much to say. Loved watching them interact.

After dinner Jamie took us to a shopping center with a play ground for the kids. We could have stayed all night. A little something for everyone.The next morning the boys took me to Jake and Candice's house to met up with the 2nd half of team BONK!

Let the race begin........................

Ragnar Las Vegas

188 miles

33 hours

12 team members

2 cars

90 degree heat

1 injury

4 hours of sleep

36 race legs

15 support members

(Teri, Jenny, Jill, Mike, Jamie, Annie, Maisy, Miles, Candice, Brad, James, Josh, Jackson, and President and Sister Neider)

1 amazing finish

endless cheering one another

Van #2 getting ready to leave...lots more to come........

James' Party

In my last post I stated I would head to a local venue for the next party....and that I did. They did everything for me. When we arrived a room set up with balloons, party bags for each guest, a pinata, birthday cupcakes, lots of food and game cards for everyone.

All I had to do was show up.

They had a dance party and this kid could not get enough. Every time music came on he was was right in the middle dancing.

I loved every minute of it.

If you participated in the dance party they loaded $3.00 more dollars on your game card. Another hour of fun.

This was a game that you swung the hammer to see how strong. Aiden got Brad to do it and all the boys gathered around to watch, and loved it.

Such a fun party, and the best part was no set-up or clean-up. I loved it.

I can't believe James is 9....time flies.

Josh's Birthday

As a mom I will take the blame. We start the count down to birthdays around here about a month in advance.

Is there really anything better then your birthday as a kid??

this year Josh wanted an Army birthday, so obstacle courses, grenades, a mine field and a tank pinata (I am sure there are plenty pinatas in the army, right?)

Let the party begin

After all the events and party goers went home, I was tired.

Next party....head to the local party venue where they do all the work for me.

School

On the first day of school as I joyfully sent both James and Josh out the door, Josh to 1st grade so that means both are gone all day, I was excited.

After about the first three days things with Josh started to crumble.

He was in tears each night and I would ask questions has to what was going on, didn't get a real answer.

Went to school to talk his his teacher, "Is Josh doing okay?"

Teacher, "Yes, he is such a good student and always does what I ask."

Left puzzled.

Day after day, Josh gaining his strength to go to school, and I not being able to figure out what he is struggling with it became clear.

One afternoon while enjoying a lunch with my Mom and Grandma, while only having one child I received a call from the school.

Seriously!!!!

Josh is sick.

When I get to the school, Josh is sitting in the office and when he sees me he gets a little smirk (I had been had)

When I get to him, he starts to cry saying he is sick. Really??

After talking with him I finally figure out that Josh, "just really misses me while at school". I wish the feel was reciprocated.

After talking him down and spending a little time in class with him, he was able to finish the day. I would receive random phone calls with a very sad Josh on the other end and a very patience teacher letting him talk to me and then go back to focus in the class.

He teacher let me know that Josh would be fine in class and as soon as he started to think about home he would fall into tears.

(really? my son that has a mohawk and fears nothing? Man card taking away)

Realizing Josh has to go to school each day I came up with an idea.

We would both wear red yarn on our wrist so that thur out the day we could look down and know that each other is thinking of us.

So now, each morning with a pep rally and yarn we are managing school.

I think things are getting easier, slowly, but surely.

Jackson also wanted to get in on the love fest.

on a side note...

We had a park day with Grandma, Jamie and her hoard.

Always love being with my Mom and Sister.