VICTORY - Steve Gets His First Win!

After 7 years of racing, Steve has finally captured his first win! The win came this weekend at New Hampshire Motor Speedway (where NASCAR is set to race next weekend.) It was a double event, so they raced on Saturday and Sunday. He took the victory on Saturday's race (finished 3rd on Sunday.) Here he is on his victory lap.

His class, SRF - Spec Racer Ford, is one of the most competitive in the SCCA series. It's a real driver's series, as the cars are all "spec" - meaning engines and transmissions are sealed, and there's only a few things you can do to modify the set-up. In other words - it's not who has the fastest car, but who's the better driver since all the cars are pretty much the same.

And the race he won - was one the best we've seen in a while. Steve was gridded 2nd and Lee McNeish was gridded 4th. Lee had a great start and took the lead on the first lap. After 4 laps, Steve passed him and held the lead for the next 6 laps. Kevin Treffeisen (our really good friend, we always paddock with his family) was behind Lee and going into Turn 6, Lee dove in on Steve and Kevin followed him through pushing Steve back to 3rd. Over the course of the next 4 laps, Steve slowly picked each of them off again, until he got the lead back with Kevin right on his heels. They raced hard for the final 4 laps. Kevin made a couple attempts to try and take Steve, but Steve held him off till the checkered flag.

The podium finishers for the race - Kevin (2nd), Steve (1st) and Lee (3rd). This victory was pretty special since Steve and Kevin took first and second - the first time for them. Kevin's family is very dear to us. They have 3 kids who always play with our kids, and his wife Rene is a good friend of Melissa's.

Izzy's comment when we told her Steve won: "Did Daddy finally get his checkered flag?"

For the last 2 years, Spencer Dickinson has crewed for Steve and been a huge help. Spencer is trying to learn as much as he can, because he has plans to join Steve out on the track in his own SRF soon.

Happy Birthday Singing!

Here's the video of singing Happy Birthday and the kids blowing out their candles.


This video is just too funny. Steve's new toy is running great now - so he took the kids and his dad out for a ride.

Zach and Emily's 2nd Birthday Party

While Zach and Emily's 2nd birthday was actually two weeks ago, we waited and had their party this weekend while Grandpa and Grandma Introne were down at our house. Luckily at this age - they didn't know the difference! =) Here's their cupcake-cakes.

Getting ready to blow out the candles while we're singing.

Grandma giving each of them their first cupcakes.

They didn't want the cake part, just ate the icing, especially the sprinkles.


Izzy LOVED the icing.


Next came presents - this was a 3-person see-saw they're unpacking. (They'd already opened up their new Patriots jersies. Of course, Izzy got presents as well - at this age, it's just easier that way.)

Zach riding the see-saw.

Unpacking presents.

Playing with Grandpa.

Izzy's new bear.

The next three pictures you have to view in sequence - from what started out as a simple hug, and ended up in a major crash!

Future Racecar Drivers

Here's Zach getting his first driving lessons at age 2.


Emily's a little slower on the uptake, but still likes it.

And here's the pro at it!

Loon Mtn Part 3 - Hiking Sabbaday Falls

We started taking the kids on mini-hikes last year, although Zach and Emily didn't hike, they rode in backpacks. This year - we were all on our feet. The Sabbaday Falls hike is pretty short and easy - maybe 1/4 to a 1/2 mile each way. The kids loved being out in the woods. Some day, we'll make the goal of having the whole family hike together to the top of Mt. Washington! =)


And they're off....


Izzy was in quite the posing mood for some really cute pictures this day.



Zach took his turn in front of the camera as well.

Emily was much more serious. She ended up getting sick, so maybe this was the beginning of her not feeling well.

Trying to get a picture with mommy - no one wanted to sit still!

Loon Mtn Part 2 - Mt Washington

While Izzy went to Santa's Village (a kids amusement park) with her cousins, Steve and I took the twins to the top of Mt. Washington - the highest peak on the east coast. To get the picture below, we did have to hike up about 10 feet of rocks - not easy with 2 2-year olds!

Another picture I just LOVE!

Mt. Washington is known for having the world's worst weather - the highest ever recorded winds of 231 mph.

Loon Mountain Vacation - Part 1

We just got back from our week in the NH White Mountains with all of Steve's family. A mini-reunion of sorts, there were 4 generations and 14 of us in total who were there. The last time we were all together for this vacation was in 2004 - since then, we've added 4 kids to the mix.

From left to right:
Steve, Zach, Melissa, Emily, Stephanie, Bob, Granny (Peg), Carol, Allison, Izzy, Christina, John, Wendy and Rob

The cousins had so much fun playing together this week. If you can't read the t-shirts, they say "An Introne Vacation, 2008, NH" with a picture of the Old Man of the Mountain and a black bear.

All 6 of the cousins aboard the train at Clark's Trading post before heading out on a ride.

"Wolfman" attacked our train during the ride.

Our fearless climber. Emily loved the rock wall.


This picture is beyond too cute for words! What perfect smiles on both of them! This is at Polly's Pancake Parlor.

Alli and Izzy were glued to each other during the week. The two of them had so much fun playing together.

Steph and Emily playing with cars.