Sunday, July 19, 2015

the past week

As much as it pains me to say this, I've come to the realization that summer is on it's way out. Ah shoot. Elizabeth asked me today, "so what are you looking forward to next?"

You see, I'm the type of person that is always looking forward to something. When summer started I was looking forward to getting Ruger, spending time at the lake, and our road trip to ID and WY. All of that is about done now, as school draws closer. I suppose this week I will spend some time at the school getting ready for my second year of teaching. I'll probably take many walks with Ruger, water that front lawn (that Aaron just tore up yesterday...), possibly ride some dirt bike...

And enjoy the last 25 days of not having a schedule! (and smile at the fact that it has been a wonderful, wonderful summer.)

This last week found me at the lake, doing grandma care while my parents went on a trip. There even was the bonus of having my sister, Elizabeth, come and stay the weekend! The days were spent spending time with the dogs, going for short walks, attempting to explore back in the trees before the horse flies and deer flies ran us off (ugh!), and eating Elizabeth's scrumptious meals. The evenings were spent listening to music, watching Poldark, chatting, and laughing...


Sunday, July 12, 2015

Reuniting with Rue


We reunited with Rue this weekend, since he had been staying with "grandma and grandpa" while we were on our trip. My goodness has he grown!! I feel like he was a puppy for, what, a week?! Although he doesn't look so puppy-ish anymore, he definitely acts like it. He loves, loves to play rough and tough with Koby and I need to separate them for awhile in the afternoon just so Koby can get some peace and quiet!
Mom and Will's nickname for him: the lil tornado


Thank you, Will and mom, for taking such good care of our little boy! For taking him to the vet for his final shots, for taking him on the pontoon and allowing him to experience new experiences, for walking him, for playing with him, and for loving him! 
(Now, next summer, would you be able to...) just kidding :)


Tuesday, July 7, 2015

snaps from my phone

At Scott and Ellen's on Sunday
Moving time
Aaron was loaded down!
Playing in the new house
Mr. ZC!
Entering Jackson Hole
Had to get a picture by the arch!
Aaron by the tallest man
Our cabin
Chocolate covered strawberries in our room. yummy!
View from our cabin
On our walk
The beginning of the Cody fourth of July parade
Budweiser horses - they were huge!
Mule pack train
There were 10 mules/horses in all - cool to see!
Mr. AA before four wheelering
Dale and Archer
Look at this mama! :)
So fun!

Monday, July 6, 2015

WY 2015

Third stop on our trip: Jackson Hole, WY
I think we hit it at tourist peak season! Or so it seemed! The Tetons were amazing to see and we ate at a (slightly expensive) restaurant called The Local, which was very tasty. But probably the best part of Jackson Hole was our night accommodations. I splurged a bit on the cabin that we got, mainly because this was our 2 year anniversary trip! The resort we stayed in was built into the mountain and there was a nature walk with many different fire pits, all burning, along the way. In the morning there was a big buffet breakfast that served Starbucks coffee.
Fourth Stop: Meeteetse, WY
This little town is where my step-sister and her family live. The second we drove up and I was bringing my things up to their front door, a mule deer went bounding from their yard! Chelsey told me "That's nothing new," and I soon found out she was right. Every day I saw deer walking in and around their yard!  We also sighted numerous antelope, a moose, and Dale saw three Grizzly bears while up in the mountains.
While there we hit up the local museum but sadly, missed the Chocolatier. Oh well, next time! We also went to the Cody fourth of July parade (which was amazing) and then rode four wheeler up to...
Fifth Stop: the ghost town of Kirwin, WY
Very interesting! We rode through numerous rivers and streams, which felt amazing since it was h-o-t out, to get there and once there it was fun to walk around and imagine life as it was back then. At it's peak, there were roughly 200 people living in this mining town.

Next post: the trip through the eyes of my Iphone!

Sunday, July 5, 2015

Montana/Idaho 2015

The first stop on our trip: Virginia City, MT
Virginia City was neat! We ended up getting there at 9 o'clock in the morning and all the little doors into the ghost town buildings don't open until 10, so, we meandered around taking in the sites with zero other tourists. Which was nice! I got some good photos without the modern aspect of cars lining the street. 
Second stop on our trip: Twin Falls, ID
The second stop was to see my eldest sister and her family! And it never gets old seeing the Twin Falls gorge, plus, I finally got to see base jumpers! Five of them to be exact.
We helped my sister and her family move into their brand new home, built by my brother in law... (and I got a twinge of new-house-fever!) and I spent time in the afternoons playing trucks with Zane.
 "Play with me Auntie Laura? Peese?" HOW could I say no to that?! I also got to experience Chick-Fil-A for the first time (oh how I wish we had one in Bismarck!) and as I sit here now, I'm wishing I would have gotten a certain gold decorative pig...! Oh well, I'll have to enjoy the cuteness of seeing one when I visit Kristin, again. :)