One Last Camping Weekend!

We spent last weekend camping once again before we are back to racing full time.  This time we went to South Long Lake near Brainerd, which was a completely redone campground (we were there 10 years ago or so).  It had a brand new play area, a sand volleyball area, new docks, and was very clean.  The only downfall was that since it had been closed for, oh, 5 years, the swim area had grown some weeds from not being used.  The owner had just put loads of new sand on the beach the day we got there, so the beach was nice!

Mason caught LOTS of fish! He was so excited every time he reeled one in!

Sunday, we came home at about noon, cuz Shane was getting antsy to get back to racing.  (We went and spectated twice, and it's just not the same!)  He threw his B-mod in with the Superstock & crew and made the trek to Bemidji where he won both features!  The time off was was very refreshing, and we did enjoy our camping, county fair, & even a dinner & movie night... But it also made us realize that racing is where we belong!  It is where our friends are, it is what we love, and it is what we enjoy most!  SO WE ARE BACK! (and glad to be so! :)

Kids Update

Braelyn has been doing a lot of "new" things lately.  She was never good at eating baby food (except carrots) off a spoon...of course she'll take icecream from a spoon, but fruit or veggies...NOPE!  So I got this brilliant idea to put the baby food in a bottle with a super fast flow nipple, and she'll suck it right down!  I feel better knowing she's actually getting something nutritious, and not just eating snacks all day. Her all-time favorite food right now is cottage cheese! She also loves noodles (tuna noodle & ramen mostly), and is getting very good at a sippy cup! 

The other day I didn't see her anywhere in the house, so I asked the daycare kids "Where's Brae?"  Here the gate at the bottom of the stairway had been unlocked and she crawled up ALL of the steps (without falling) and was playing upstairs!  She hasn't had a tumble yet, but was very close one time when I heard her screaming, I ran over & her hands were on one step, and her feet were 2 steps above that...she had caught herself with her hands (belly down)!  She can also stand for a good while, but falls when she takes a step! 

Her hair is getting so long, that she almost always has to have a pony in or it hangs in her eyes!  I wanted to cut her bangs so bad, but Shane wanted it to grow out.  It's cute as long as it's in a pony or clip, otherwise she looks like a sheep dog! :)

 

Mason has learned how to ride bike without training wheels!  Shane and my brother, Paul, pushed him back and forth one evening in the grass (for a softer landing), and within a couple weeks, he was taking off on his own around the driveway!  He still has his fair share of diggers, but he's getting better! 

This one makes me literally LOL!! :)

 He is also sleeping ALL NIGHT in his own bed! He loved the security of being on the floor in our room, but was starting to complain that it wasn't very comfy anymore, so I started a "sticker chart" and if he wakes up in the morning in HIS bed, he gets a sticker, and after 10, he will get a reward (space aliens, bounce depot or a movie)!  It's taking a while to get 10, being that he's been at Heidi's, grandmas, currently camping for 3 days with my family, and this weekend we're going camping again!  The kid likes to bum! :)

Camping

It's been a week ago already, but I thought i'd post some pics of our camping weekend (last weekend)...  The weather was beautiful (except a short shower on Saturday), but the water was perfect temperature and we couldn't have asked for a better weekend!  Mason's favorite activities were making sandcastles and riding the jetski (which he was so afraid of at first that we couldn't get him on it).  Braelyn had her fifth tooth popping through so she was not quite her happy self.  She had a runny nose and light fever, so she kind-of slept alot.  It didn't seem to get any better as the week went on, so I took her to the doc and she had a double ear infection :(  It was a fun weekend that we all enjoyed for something different, but we did miss racing a little when everyone started sending results! :)  However, we are already half-way through the 30 days off, so it seems to be going by pretty quickly.  This week we've enjoyed going to the fair two evenings and tonight we'll go cheer on DJ in the demolition derby!

That's all for now.... Enjoy the weekend! (I can't believe I just posted on a Saturday...maybe I do have too much time on my hands without racing) :) LOL!

THE VERDICT IS IN...

….And we were told to continue enjoying our new boat and go ahead and make camping reservations! :) All jokes aside..Most of you have probably heard that Shane's A-mod motor was protested on Thursday night in Willmar. After tearing down the engine, the tech officials found that it did not meet Wissota's guidelines and they deemed his heads illegal. 

I debated whether or not to write our situation, as I know once all those 20/20 screen name hiders get wind of it, their keyboards will likely go up in smoke.  I don't mind a good old debate with an actual person, but some people feel empowered by writing, and put things they wouldn't normally say to your face. So that's why I don't post on 20/20...If you have a question or are just nosey and want some answers... Call me, find me, ask me! We have been honest with those that have called and came to us in person and have a ton respect for the fans/drivers that have wanted answers.

We bought this engine used from another Wissota racer. Our engine builder made us aware of the fact that these heads were borderline of following the Wissota rule book, but based on the cost to fix it we opted to leave it as it was. For safe measures, we had a local tech guy to our house to inspect it, and he ok'd it here in our garage. Scott's Engine shop did not do the work that was in question (as it was purchased that way) and we will continue to do business with him. We didn't fix what should have been fixed and realize it was a huge mistake on our part! But we will live, learn, and move on. The consequence is loss of points, a $1,000 fine, and a 30 day suspension from Wissota tracks. That last one could possibly be a blessing in disguise, as we have not been on a camping trip in over 10 years! We may possibly take a trip to Wisconsin Dells, and just do family things that we have sacrificed for the love of racing.

I know that this may have tainted our reputation, but I think back at all racers that I know that have been found with illegal parts and know that with time & proving them wrong, they have come back and done great things and are still respected in the racing community. I've learned that people will think what they want, regardless of how little or much they know. And I've learned that all people will have an impression of you and it's hard to change their mind-good or bad! A facebook friend posted this the following day, and really has changed my outlook on the situation...[One year from today, will the stress of today be such a big thing?] My answer is NO! We have always tried to keep things in perspective and not take things for granted, and remember that who you are in racing, does not defy who you are in life. Yes, racing is our life, but it's not real life. Our home is happy. Our jobs are happy. Our family is happy, and we grateful for the things we have.  


We apologize to our fans, family, sponsors, and competitors for any ill will this may have caused. And we thank all of you who have continued to show their loyalty and support to us.

Have a great week!

Hot! Hot!

Good afternoon, all! I keep up with weather according to facebook...which apparently it's pretty warm out there.  One advantage of working from home, is just that...not leaving the house! :) The kids are required (by law) to go outside daily, "weather permitting"...I decided it was not permitting!  Shane, however, is required to work outdoors & work some more when he gets home!  Somehow he conned Mason into helping! :)

They managed to cool off with a water gun/pressure washer war! They say "it's all fun and games til someone gets hurt" and sure enough Mason ended up aiming the pressure washer at his foot and blowing the skin off the top of his foot.  I was in the house and Shane was doing something and he notice Mason throw the handle down and run away yelling "I don't wanna wash the cars anymore!" He wouldn't tell Shane why he quit, but just kept repeating "I don't wanna wash the cars anymore!" Finally Shane seen the red line across his foot...I bandaged him up and gave him the miracle medicine (tylenol or a teething tablet...heck, if they made a chewable vegetable tablet that'd work too)!  And he was better!

This past week Shane raced on Wednesday in Fargo, ND for a mwm special where he ended up 5th in the feature.  This was the only class they ran that night.  Thursday was rained out.  Friday, our usual Princeton was rained out so we headed to Fergus Falls, MN where Shane won with the MWM, took 2nd in the superstock, and only made a half a lap in the mod.  Saturday he finished 2nd in the MWM, DNF'd in the superstock (well, not really...he finished 4th but had a flat right rear tire for the last 2 1/2 laps and the flagman was pointing him to the infield.  He was holding a steady line so decided to stay racing, but later was docked at the payout window).  He won with the A-mod!

*reminder MWM = midwest mod & DNF = Did Not Finish (the race)

Kids News!!

I was so excited when Braelyn started crawling (as with any parent with any milestone!) because I thought this would give her some independence and not long to be held all the time and go everywhere I go.  She could now go where she wanted to go (or just follow me everywhere)!  Well, I found out real quick that it doesn't make things easier.  Now I long for the time I can set her down and she stays put while I get things done.  She definitely was occupied while I was getting chores done, little did I know she was only making another chore for me to do (clean her and the wet floor up!)......

 Mason always played in the toilets at this age too! Just as long as everyone flushes! :)

And speaking of making more chores for mom, I went to take her out of her carseat and found she got ahold of the puffs and dumped them all over herself and was eating them.  She usually hates the car ride and I thought she was awfully quiet, but figured she fell asleep. Thankfully she didn't choke on one (or on the plastic bag for that matter)! :)  The little turd still has a way of making me smile even when she's into mischeif!!

This video is several weeks old...It's when she first learned how to clap, but I'm mostly just trying to see if I know how to load videos to blogger! 

I suppose with "Kid News" I should probably post something on Mason, but other than his foot mishap, nothing's real new.  I received an email of his preschool supply list today, and started to panic.  Not because it made me aware of the fact the summer is half over :(, but because I'm worried how he'll do in a different setting.  It's only 2 days a week for 3 hours a day...It can't be that bad, right?! If he can make it through the year without a trip to the principal's office, we should be in good shape for the next 13 years! :) 

Play-Rewind-Repeat

Our weekends seem to be on play-rewind-repeat mode....Which isn't a bad thing because it's been beautiful weather, fun on the water, and enjoying ourselves at the race track!  Thursday Shane and Mason went to Willmar, while Brae and I enjoyed the night at home.  He finished 3rd with the midwest mod, and won with both the mod and the superstock!

Friday we went back to Princeton (seems like it's been a month since we've been there), and ended up winning with the midwest mod and mod, and 2nd with the superstock!  Saturday we raced in Brainerd, and finished 3rd in the midwest mod, won with the superstock, and broke a ball joint in the A-mod so he was unable to finish the race. 

Braelyn hanging out at Princeton!

It's been a while (like last year) since we've won at Princeton, so it was a good feeling to finally get a win again there!

Sunday we debated on going to Bemidji racing because they were having an A-mod special with NASCAR driver Kenny Schrader racing there, but it was just too dang hot!  Shane's clothes were soaking wet from sweat every night after the races, and the boys were tired of working on the cars in the heat... So to the river we went!  Butch (the superstock owner) took us out on his boat & we did some tubing and relaxed on the sandbar. 

Bubba & Shane

Even Mason went tubing (on Shane's lap), and he gave orders to go slow, but even when we sped up he did great! Thankfully he never flipped off or he might've been afraid for next time!

TJ and DJ

Until next week.......

Mod Nationals Weekend

This weekend was the 7th annual MN Mod Nationals in Alexandria, MN.  The kids came with and I just have to say that they were quite the troopers!  When we debated buying a hauler (camper/semi thing that pulls the trailer), I was kind-of against the idea, but it has turned out to be the best thing ever (minus the fuel mileage)!  Especially with a baby needing to be fed, changed, and napped.

We had our kiddie pool at the track which we used 1 of the days, but the 2nd day we drove to a big pool to cool off for the day!

 Even Mason needed a 2 hour nap both days...I think the sunshine all day wore him out!

But back to racing... We have raced this show since Shane started racing A-mods in 2006 (the year he won it), and have been fortunate enough to qualify every year so far!  This year there was 58 modified in attendance and 44 midwest mods.  They used passing points to determine who transferred to the main event.  So the heat winners don't necessarily make the show, it's who passes the most cars. In the Midwest Mod, Shane went from 5th to 2nd in his heat, which was 6th best?? of all the drivers.  He won the qualifying feature so that earned him a front row start for the main feature.  He ended up winning after a good battle with Travis Saurer near the end of the race!   

This pic was taken by a track photographer (CRP photography); which you can view more of his photos here

The A-mods also went by the passing points system and Shane went from 8th to 4th in his heat.  That was 16th best of all drivers, which was extremely crucial because they only took the top 16 cars from the heats. We JUST MADE IT!  Had he done worse, he would've had to run a consi (b-feature) to try to make it in.  It's always a relief to make big shows from your heat, to take the pressure off for the next day!  The goal was to make the main event, so we were happy! He ended up 13th in the main event, with Ryan Gustin taking home the $7,000 check!

They also ran Superstocks on Saturday night, where Shane finished 2nd after a good race with Cody Lee, who picked up his first win ever!  He was so excited he hugged Shane when he came to thank him for racing him clean and congratulate him on a good race!  Whether it be your first win, a big win, or just a good hard race between 2 drivers, it's fun to see the joy and pride that the drivers experience, and really puts into perspective why we do this...Because we have fun doing it! And even losing is fun (sometimes...LOL! :)

Monday (the 4th) we spent the morning/early afternoon cleaning out the hauler and unpacking from the long weekend.  We then spent the late afternoon/evening out on the boat on the river with some friends on the sandbar, then watched the fireworks from the boat at dark!  It was the best weekend of July thus far! ;)  And a short week to boot...Doesn't get much better! :)