Taft Grand Prix

February 4, 2017

Grand prix race number 2 of Brandon's year was in Taft.  Brandon raced here back in 2014, so it was fun to see the track again. We drove out late Friday night and camped with Blake, Bud and Jim.  Owen had a blast in the camper, and we could see the track from the bed windows. Brandon raced Unclassified in the morning to test the track, then went out again for his Veterans class race. Brandon and Bud raced together and had a fun battle back and fourth. It was Bud's first race ever, so we showered him with a congratulatory beer when he came in. Blake when out for the WCGP race and we watched from the sidelines. After a healthy lunch of chili fries, we got back on the road and were home Saturday evening. We are so proud of Brandon for getting out there, having fun, and staying safe.

 

 

Foulke Wedding

February 18, 2017

Rosy and Ian graciously invited us to be a part of their wedding festivities. Rosy's parents were in town in January for their first trip to the United States, and they stayed at the Mehlberg Casa while my parents were in Scorpion Bay. We took Rosy wedding dress shopping while Wendy was here, and the girls had a blast the whole day. Rosy looked beautiful in all the dresses! The boys had a Lowers day while we shopped, then we ended the day with a group BBQ at the compound.

The girls had a bachlorette night at the Cellar and the Vine, complete with a round of drinks and appetizers on the house. The boys had a bachelor dinner at El Patio, and Owen joined in on the fun.

 

The wedding was a small ceremony at the Bob and Piper Foulke's house across the street from us. Colin Foulke officiated the ceremony, and we all stood below a pergola of flowers. The Hodge's were in attendance through Facetime! The night was full of love and happiness. Congratulations Mr. and Mrs. Foulke!

Meeting Buena

January 26, 2017

The Wiechman's got a new puppy! Buena is a French Bulldog and a total lover. She was so soft and playful with Owen. Welcome to the family, Buena!

Supercross!

January 21, 2017

Brandon scored us some industry passes to watch Supercross at Anaheim Stadium. We checked out the pits before the race and Owen was so stoked to see all the people and motos. The race was beyond exciting. The front runner for the season, Ken Roczen crashed and broke his arm into a million pieces. The crash ended Ken's season after this second race, and may impact the rest of his career. Earlier in the race, Jason Anderson and Vince Friese got into a shouting match that ended with Anderson slapping Frieses' helmet and Frieses' mechanic pushing Anderson off his bike after the race. Anderson was suspended and fined for starting the fight.

Sitting next to us during the race were two young groms, super stoked to be watching their first race. The boys had younger siblings and knew how to interact and play with Owen. Owen had a blast making faces at the boys and listening to the motos. Owen passed out in the car on the way home; it was past his bed time!

After Work Sunsets

Winter 2017

I'm back to work full time, and the transition is going fine. Owen is getting into a good routine at daycare and his napping is getting better. After spending the day in the office, I love to grab Owen and go for a sunset walk. Sometimes we walk with Rosy at State Park, and other times we head to Rivi or T-Street. It sure helps to wash off the day!

Yard Work with Dad

January 15

Owen loves to do yard work with his dad! He loves power tools!

Adelanto Grand Prix

January 14, 2017

Brandon's New Year's resolution was to get back on the dirt bike and compete in a race again. Brandon's last race was in 2014, and a lot has happened since then for us: moving home, new jobs, buying a house, fixing up a house, and oh wait, a baby! It was great to see Brandon commit to something for himself, and achieve the goal.
Our bikes got worked in on December, and we had a great January practice ride together in Johnson Valley. With all the rain we've had this winter, the desert has had some of the best conditions in a long, long time.
We drove out to the race at 4am while Owen slept in his carseat. We got to Adelanto at 6am and Brandon checked in with the race officials. The race was in the city's minor league baseball stadium and surrounding desert. The stadium had a series of jumps and obstacles, opening up to a track and desert ride behind the stadium for an 8 mile loop. Brandon went out in the early morning unclassified division to practice and see the track. Owen and I watched from the stadium and had breakfast.

Owen had a blast, and took a nap between races.  We watched Blake and Brandon ride in their Veterans class a few hours later. The boys did great. No one got hurt, so we consider that a win!

We are so proud of Brandon for achieving a goal and for staying safe. It's great for Owen to see his dad ripping!