Cross Ranch

Yesterday I spent the day exploring another state park that is kind of close to where we live - Cross Ranch State Park! I enjoyed it, but the pesky mosquitoes were out in full force.

The path I walked on was right along the bank of the Missouri River.

I also walked by numerous tenters and campers and found out that I'm not the only one enjoying the beautiful (and unusually warm) end of September weather!

Along the path they had interpretive signs describing the history, geology, and wildlife of the area. From one particular sign I learned that Cross Ranch, which used to be called Gaines Ranch, was once part of an 11,000 acre ranch owned by A.D. Gaines. He acquired Theodore Roosevelt's Maltese Cross Brand. When the ranch was sold in 1956, it was renamed the "Cross Ranch" in honor of Theodore Roosevelt. Eventually, Cross Ranch State Park was a gift to the people of North Dakota on the state's 100th birthday in 1989.

I discovered that the park has cross country skis and snowshoe rentals as well as Yurts available for rent year round. The gears in my head are already turning with the thought of returning this winter for a night or two...

the pumpkin patch

ex·haust·ed

1. How you feel after spending all day outside {in the 90+ degree heat} with 47 kindergartners at a pumpkin patch. Don't forget the hour bus ride there, when kids are crazy and excited, and then the hour bus ride home, when kids are hot, tired, and sweaty. 

It was a great day, though, and I was very impressed by Papa's Pumpkin Patch. A few things the kids had fun doing: running through the bale mazes, digging in the corn crib, jumping on the log jam, walking through the nature trail, riding the wee zip (pint-sized zip line), and relaxing on the train ride. 

Just a tid bit of info: there are/were over 30,000 pumpkins/guards present at Papa's. 

If I had kids of my own I would definitely head back there for an afternoon of sweaty, physical, (and scratchy) fun.

(Although, growing up on a farm we really already did a lot of these activities...!)

the piano

This piano was given to my parents, by my grandparents, who bought it from my great uncle Dick.

It has now made its home in our living room and I love how it adds a cozy touch to our home.

That being said, I wish this piano had a log. A log that documented how many songs have been played and how many hours have been spent on it. My sisters and I all took piano lessons starting in kindergarten on up to our senior years...so you can imagine how much it was played on!

Joplin was played, along with Mozart and Brahms - Lorie Line occasionally and Melody Bober. Many songs were played by ear and a few were even composed by my middle sister Elizabeth.
I think it's safe to say every type of music came from this piano's strings - from allegro to largo, from fortissimo to pianissimo, from modern to classical to christmas to hymns...

I love this piano and the years that it has "lived".

a visit from mom

Mom came and visited us!

She brought with her the piano, a bread maker, and helped get us on track for meals this coming week. (The lasagna and beef/rice casserole will taste wonderful after full days of work.)

She also helped quench the missing-my-family feeling!

Thank you, mom!

fits of giggles

Two things today that made my kindergartens giggle...and giggle...and giggle!

One: I called on "Sally" to answer a question when we were working through our weekly reader. A boy pipes up and blurts it out for her before she has a chance to answer. I ask him, "Is your name Sally?" He grins at me and shakes his head. Then I mention, "Maybe I'll call you Sally 2 from now on..." The boy and my kids thought that was hilarious! Maybe it was a you-had-to-be-there moment!

Two: The kids were quite chatty today, especially during math. I told them, "Okay boys and girls, zip your lips and put the key in your pocket!" They quickly showed me the actions of "zipping" {complete with sound effects} and "stuffing it in your pocket". There were two boys that continued to whisper so I ran over to them, snatched my "key" from my pocket, and "zipped" their lips. {with the sound effects of course} That really tickled my kids' funny bones so I just had to zip everyone's lip after that!

Funny how little things like this, that you wouldn't think would work, really do work to quiet the kids down!

that in between temp

The weather is getting cooler, which I am enjoying. I like sweater/sweatshirt weather. Although this week it's supposed to be in the 70's...which is wonderful, too!

Last night I noticed we are kind of at that in between temperature in our house. Not cold...but not hot - but I wouldn't say it's the perfect temp either...as described below.

My in-laws stayed at our place last night and we had a bonfire in our backyard. It was a bit chilly out so when we came inside to go to bed, I turned the heater on, made sure it was facing our bed, and tucked myself under the covers.

It wasn't long until Aaron started snoring, so then I decided to get up and turn the fan on with the heater.

A few hours later I woke up sweating, so I got up and turned the heater off.

I then woke up another hour later, still warm, so I turned the AC unit in our room on and the fan off.

Aaron woke up next, cold as could be, so he turned the AC off and went to back to bed.

I woke up to his snoring, and got up and turned the fan back on.

I was thankful when morning rolled around and it was time to get out of bed. Ugh! I think I got my exercise last night.

On an unrelated note, after meeting today Aaron and I came home and began tearing shingles off our roof. Our steel for the roof is in at the lumber yard so on Wednesday Aaron and Myron will begin steeling our roof! Another step closer to finishing up our house!

My mom recently shared this on facebook. Very true! 

It is sometimes so easy to over think things or over analyze...

nine eleven

I was in the elementary lunchroom when I heard about nine eleven. It didn't effect me as much as it does now, now that I have gotten older. I don't think I fully understood...

On this day, I always find myself looking back at pictures that were taken, listening again to Alan Jackson's song, and being thankful I am a citizen of the United States.

The thing that has impacted me the most about this day was when I read the names and ages of the people that were killed. 

On flight 93 there was a girl by the name of Deora that was just 20 years old. She was flying home after visiting friends. 

On flight 11, the flight that crashed into the north tower, there was a woman by the name of Thelma, who was 71. She was on her way to visit her sister. 

There was a lawyer by the name of Daniel who was traveling on flight 173 and he had along his three year old son, David.

The list of names goes on - 2,996 names to be exact. Grandmas, grandpas, dads, moms, daughters, sons, husbands, wives...

I can't even begin to imagine the horror they went through that day.

source

"Today, our fellow citizens, our way of life, our very freedom came under attack in a series of deliberate and deadly terrorist acts. The victims were in airplanes or in their offices: secretaries, business men and women, military and federal workers, moms and dads, friends and neighbors. Thousands of lives were suddenly ended by evil, despicable acts of terror. The pictures of airplanes flying into buildings, fires burning, huge -- huge structures collapsing have filled us with disbelief, terrible sadness and a quiet, unyielding anger. These acts of mass murder were intended to fighten our nation into chaos and retreat. But they have failed. Our country is strong. A great people have been moved to defend a great nation." - U.S. President George Bush

currently...{september 2014 edition}

<> listening: enya on pandora - there's just something so soothing about this genre of music after a full day of being with kinders

<> eating: just finished off a long john I got at the grocery store

<> drinking: pepsi

<> wearing: sioux sweatpants and sweatshirt

<> feeling: accomplished - I had a good day with the kids - no meltdowns!!

<> weather: cloudy and chilly - very fall like out! 45 degrees to be exact

<> wanting: another pair of Allegria shoes - so comfortable 

<> needing: nothing necessarily - my needs are all being met :) 

<> thinking: I should really cut out these apples for my kids tomorrow - we're doing an apple unit this week...

<> enjoying: the thought that this evening Aaron will come in early from his "equipment workshop" and a movie is planned - complete with popcorn and creamy chocolate milk! {that really sounds like we're kids, doesn't it...ha!}

<> missing: my mom and sistas

miciaha

With the announcement yesterday of our arriving puppy in the spring, I can't help but think back to my puppy I got summer of my freshman year in high school.

Kizer will always hold that special place in my heart that I don't think can ever be replaced. 

As a puppy, we carried her around the house like a baby. She was just too much of a darling not to!

I attended dog obedience with her, and even showed her in the Sportsman's Show at the Fargo Dome. She did pretty good! 

I've thought about bringing her here and not getting a puppy quite yet. But then she's always been a house dog in the winters and I would feel bad moving her out to a kennel. Aaron doesn't want a house dog. 

I also know she has a wonderful life in the country with Kolby at my parents'. She can go swimming in the lake (she loves swimming), spend time down at the barn scavenging through the horse pasture, go for walks with mom, and chase chipmunks. (Sorry Will!)

Lastly, even though I love her so dearly much, Aaron doesn't have that attachment. I would like a dog that could be "ours" and not just "mine". 

So Miciaha, if you could read, know that you could never, ever be replaced and I will always look forward to coming "home" and being greeted by your wagging tail and lip that smiles when you get excited! 

have you heard?

Aaron and I are excited to announce some news! 

Our family will be expanding by one this spring of 2015. 

We will be parents to a fur baby boy - in particular a German Shepherd puppy!

The little guy will be coming from a breeder in western North Dakota sometime in April-May.

And you can be sure this blog (and instagram and facebook) will explode with pictures of him!

{We kept a plant alive...so now we're trying for a puppy...and then after that...ha! jk}

lake sakakawea state park

Yesterday, while Aaron was fishing, I explored the gently rolling prairie trails of Lake Sakakawea State Park. 

It was just too beautiful outside to stay inside. 

labor day weekend

It was our nephew's birthday last week - the big 12 - so yesterday we headed over to my in-laws to celebrate a bit. Also, our friend Nate {who used to live around here, but moved to be closer to work, causing us all to be really bummed} was up for a few days. It was also fun to see Lowell, my sister-in-law's dad, and his pup Winston, who are up for a couple weeks visiting.
We ate cheeseburger pizza from Papa Murphy's, cuddled three precious little kitties, toured the new home going up, and shot clay pigeons in the field. It made for a great evening.

Although it's blurry, I just had to post this picture of me and my sister-in-law, Heather. We rarely get a picture together, and when we do get a chance - this is what happens. It sure made us laugh!

A storm was brewing to the west and it made for super backdrop. The purples/reds/pinks/yellows occasionally were illuminated by lightening - which was beautiful. Thankfully we made it home before the storm hit.

Hubby takes a go at it. I was content to watch the action in the back, with my ear plugs in.

Now, as I sit here sipping on my coffee, I am thankful for this Monday off. Aaron left early to go diving with his brother, Ryan. {Or rather, sit and fish in the boat as Ryan dives!}
I opened up the window to let the cool, morning breeze in and it wasn't long before I was joined by George and Thea.