First Day of School 2010

Well, today was the first day of school for the girls.  Makenna started 7th grade and this is her first year in Junior High.  Alanna is in 5th grade this year.  Makenna starts  school at 7:30 and Alanna at 8:45. 

Yesterday, Alanna and I attended a 5 hour long junior high orientation with Makenna.  This is the first year they have offered this orientation.  It was a great opportunity to let the 7th graders have the school to themselves so they could figure out things like how to open their lockers and where all their classes are located.  It helped ease some of Makenna's nerves, however, I think she still had the first day jitters.  

We attended Alanna's open house last night.  This year, her school is trying something new with the the 5th/6th grade.  They will be using a differntiated teaching model, where both grades are taught at their ability level in their core subjects.  This means they can advance in subjects, as well as get extra help in the subjects they need more instruction in.  It is difficult to explain in writing, but what I expect is that it will be a much more efficient and effective way of learning.  We are really excited about this new program!  Wish they would start teaching this way in junior high. 

Don't they look grown up?

It's only their first day of school and I miss them already!

Last Weekend in the Big Horns

This past weekend was more than likely our last camping trip to the Big Horns.

We went on a few short hikes and got these pics. 

Another Terrific Weekend in the Big Horn Mountains

We had a great weekend of camping in the Big Horns again over the weekend.  We headed up Friday night and came home Monday afternoon.  My parents and Matt, Kristen, and their girls were there for part of that time.  It was a very cool weeknend; we were dressing in many layers for most of the weekend.  I took A LOT of pictures this time and I posted quite a few here. 

View from Sheep Mountain Lookout on Saturday morning.

View from Sheep Mountain Lookout.

Alanna on the Grizzly.

Brad and Makenna getting ready to ride.

My mom getting ready to make the 21 mile ride back to camp.

Hanging out at the campsite.

Kristen keeping Abrie asleep.

Kristen, Abrie, and Foxy.

Alanna and Addison.

Makenna, Miley, Abrie, and Kristen.

Dad tending the fire.

Makenna and Addison.

Makenna, Alanna, and Addie.

Family pic by a bridge on one of our rides.

The moose we saw on our Sunday ride.  She was so busy eating the bushes she barely looked up while we drove by.  Brad and Makenna were lucky enough to see a mama moose and her baby on their ride back from Sheep Mountain.

View from the Schoolhouse Park Road trail.

View from Elgin Park Loop

View from our campsite on Sunday night.

Roasting veggie dogs.

Sitting by the campfire.

Veggie dogs!

August 7-9, 2010 Big Horns Camping/Hiking

Over the weekend we took a trip to Buffalo and the Big Horn Mountains.  On Friday, my brother, Dr. Matt, worked on my tooth which needs a crown.  (By the way, I still don't like going to the dentist, even if he is my brother!)  He did a great job; so professional and caring. 

Then on Saturday morning Brad, the girls, and I ran the Klondike Rush 5k downtown Buffalo.  After that we went to the parade and then headed to the mountains. 

After a one hour and 45 minute drive, we finally found the campsite Richard had saved us. Matt, Kristen, Abrie, and Addison went with us.  Addie spent Saturday night with us in the camper while Matt, Kristen, and Abrie made it back to their house in 19 minutes.  They came back up Sunday morning.  We played games, rode 4-wheelers, and of course we ate!

Sunday night Matt took the girls home with him.  Later that night Richard lead Brad and I on some 4-wheeler trails that go almost all the way to Buffalo. 

Monday morning we decided to take a hike that Richard guessed to be 4 miles roundtrip.  So Brad, Richard, Skylar, Bonnie, and I started out across a field.  Nine hours later we were finally back to the camper packing up to head home.  It was quite the eventful day.  Long story short: never split up from your group when hiking unless it is an emergency and when you say you are going to stay somewhere to be picked up, don't move!  As it turns out everyone is safe and accounted for.

Makenna, Alanna, Abrie, and Jake hanging out in the camper.

Two little campers ready to ride the 4-wheelers.

This is what Jake looks like after a hard day of riding (or rather, running behind) 4-wheelers.

A red mushroom we found on our hike.

A golden brown mushroom we saw on our hike.

Brad standing on the boulders we "hiked" across.

Sadly, these are the only pictures I ended up getting while on our hike.  My camera ended up in Brad's pack and he hiked quite a ways behind me for most of the hike.  Next time, I will just wear the camera around my neck!

Lake Tahoe/ Squaw Valley 2010

July 23rd we started out on our journey to Lake Tahoe/Squaw Valley, CA.  The girls attended a dance camp from July 25th-31st in Squaw Valley.  Originally, we had planned on taking them to the camp at Copper Mountain, CO but that one got cancelled and this was our other option.  As it turns out, now the girls want to go to the one in Squaw Valley again next year, and we completely agree.  We had so much fun in Tahoe City while they were at camp.  Brad and I did some hiking, lots of running, some gambling, river rafting, and movie watching.  Now that we know the area, we would love to go back more prepared for longer hikes, bike riding, kayaking, and beach bumming. 

On the bridge over Eagle Falls.

A view from our Eagle Falls hike.

A view from our Tahoe Rim Trail hike.

We stayed in the little attached bungalow on the left of this house.

Makenna and Alanna after their Friday night showcase at camp.

They had so much fun they didn't want to leave and they informed me they didn't even pull each other's hair out while at camp!

The girls and I have many more photos to share.  So maybe they can post the pictures they want when they get home from grandma's.  If you want to see the rest of my pictures check me out on facebook!