In the Big Horns in September

Saturday we drove up to Buffalo with our Razr on our new trailer.  (and, yes, I forgot to take a picture of that setup like Brad had requested)

Our first stop was at Addison's soccer game (again, I didn't even get my camera out for the game darn it).  It was a riot to watch!  It was like watching a live America's Funniest Home Videos show for an entire hour!!

After the game we ate lunch and rode the Razr up to Tie Hack resevoir.  Matt and his girls also drove up there.  The plan was for Matt to help Addie fish.  As it turns out, Matt may not be a great fisherman and I told him it looked like he would starve if he had to catch his own food. 

After an hour of failed fishing attempts we walked over to the bridge across the spillway.

Tie Hack Resevoir

Addie concentrating very hard on fishing.

Over looking the spillway.

Tie Hack spillway.

After Tie Hack, Brad, the girls, and I took a 3 hour long ride on some trails before heading into Buffalo for the night. 

What a fun weekend!!

One Proud Momma!

WARNING: BRAG ALERT!



So, I obviously have two reasons to be such a proud momma:

First reason:  Alanna

This is the poem she wrote at Mallo camp last week and it just brought a smile to my face!

Second reason:  Makenna

Last Friday I had a voicemail on my phone when I checked it after work.  This was more or less what it said, "Hi, this is Valerie Gerdes, Makenna's English teacher.  I would like to talk to you about Makenna so give me a call back.  It's nothing horrible."  So I start thinking:  What in the world could she have done?  I guess whatever she needs to talk to me about isn't horrible, at least; however, maybe it is somewhat bad (Makenna always says such wonderful things about Ms. Gerdes and that she might just be Gerdes' pet so I wasn't sure what could have gone wrong).

I call Ms. Gerdes back, and she says, "Sorry if I scared you by leaving that message.  I just wanted to tell you how much I adore your daughter.  I just love her and I wish I had a hundred more students just like her!  She always has her homework done on time, if not done ahead of time and she is very advanced in her reading and writing skills.  She is so sweet and kind and I just wanted to tell you thank you for whatever it is you are doing right to have a daughter like Makenna."  This brought some tears to my eyes and I thanked her for calling to let me know all of these wonderful things. 

And, of course this isn't the first time I have heard these great things about either of my girls so it didn't really surprise me, but it sure was nice of her to go out of her way to call and tell me. 

LOVE, LOVE, LOVE MY GIRLS!!!

Black Hills Camping Trip

Hey everyone!  Sorry it took me so long to get last weekend's pictures posted, but blogger just would not load them for the past few days.  Anyhow, I finally got them posted.  We camped at the Steel Wheel by Lead/Deadwood Friday and Saturday night.  It was very cold Friday and Saturday.  When we went for a ride on Saturday, Brad was wearing Carharts and the girls and I were snuggled in sleeping bags.  Sunday was a beautiful day for a 6 hour ride.  Although it was our last camping trip of the season, we look forward to riding in the winter and staying in hotels. 

Makenna and Alanna ready to ride.

Snuggled in our sleeping bags for the ride.

Box Elder Creek

Pilot Knob trailhead

Our New Toy

This is our newest toy...2011 Razr 4

We're looking forward to taking it out this weekend!  Brad actually picked the girls up from dance in it tonight; they love it!  Makenna is super excited that Brad will be taking her to school in it tomorrow.

Pretty in Pink

Isn't she cute?

Labor Day Weekend 2010

Over Labor Day weekend we went camping with some new friends in the Buffalo Gap National Grasslands (east of Rapid City).  It was very different from the mountains where we usually camp and ride 4 wheelers.  Even though there are no trees or mountains, the area has a beauty all its own. 

The riding was very different from the Big Horns.  It was more sport riding, rather than destination riding like we do in the Big Horns.  On the second day of riding we came to a big sand hill and everyone rode up but me.  I decided I couldn't take any more of this riding; I had a constant flow of adrenaline pumping during each ride and I couldn't take  it any longer.  Fortunately, Jen came to my rescue and let me drive her Razor the rest of the ride and she drove my Grizzly.  It was so much more fun driving the Razor.  If I was going to ride in this area I would definitely own a Razor! 

We had so much fun getting to know new people.  All of us girls even got to go shopping one day in Rapid. 

Monday morning we left abruptly because it was raining pretty hard, and it can be very difficult to navigate those bentonite roads when they are wet.  So we made it to Rapid by 8am, just in time to get in another day of shopping!  After shopping we headed home in high wind and Brad barely drove over 60 (so you know just how windy it really was when he drives that slow)!

Views from our campsite.

Some of the guys hangin' out.

View of our campsite.

Brad and Alanna getting some food at our last night potluck. 

Now that the weekend (and the summer) are over, it is time to get back into our routine of work, school, and dance!  What a great summer we had though!!

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!