Tuesday, May 30, 2006

Travel Log

My eyes are finally open enough to put a few sentences together about our jam-packed Memorial Day weekend. We ventured out for our second trip to the beloved Mt. Rushmore. This time taking friends and doing all the 'touristy' stuff in between.

We traveled all day Saturday and then were greeted at Custer State Park by baby bison and their mommas. It was amazing. If we had been just a couple minutes earlier or later, we would have missed not one, but two different herds hurrying off to (I'm guessing) their dinner.

After being couped up in the car all day, and with little time to do anything else, the kids enjoyed a dip in the hotel pool.

With rain in the forecast, we knew that time was precious and that we better be up and at it Sunday. We literally hit the ground running.

Brooklyn, Madelyn, Maddie, Taryn and Kiri paused for a quick pic in front of a few of our favorite presidents. It didn't seem too crowded at Mt. Rushmore - until we got to the giftshop. Can you say Shoulder to Shoulder?

This young Rocky Mountain goat came to say farewell before we left Mt. Rushmore.

After Rushmore we drove to Bear Country, USA; one of the coolest things we have ever done. It was amazing. We drove along the path of this animal park, seeing Arctic Wolves, Moose, Reindeer, Mountain Lions (who were too busy sleeping to acknowledge us), Bison (big deal, we see them in the wild all the time), and most important: Bears.

Since the park was so crowded we had to drive slow, resisting the urge to roll down the windows as bears played, strolled back and forth across the road, slept, swam, and scratched the hard-to-reach places on branches or fences. As if that wasn't amazing enough, when the drive was over, we were able to park and watch tiny bear cubs play and rough house with each other.

Next was the very anti-clamatic Reptile Gardens. For the same cost, it was not near as fun as Bear Country. But the kids did enjoy the alligators, crocodiles, snakes, birds and prairie dogs. I couldn't get out of their fast enough.

The weather held out, and held out some more. Just as we returned to our hotel Sunday night, the skies opened up and dumped the forecasted rain.

With Monday our travel home day, and with more sight-seeing to do, once again we hit the ground running.

We stopped in Deadwood (as in the HBO show). It's a little old casino town, which had quite the reputation in the late 1800's for being a city of gambling and prostitution. So I guess I shouldn't have been surprised that we were the only people there with children. No worries, it was a quick stop, with us peeking in at a few famous cars.

Next stop: Spearfish. We played and picnicked at the park/hatchery while David worked, adding to the hours he worked in Rapid City.

By the time we got to Devil's Tower, we were exhausted and ready to be home. We'll need to visit again to take the short hike around it. Still, it was good to stop and look and stretch our legs a bit.

It was a whirlwind trip, and exhausting trip, but full of green scenery and good memories.

Thursday, May 25, 2006

Lessons Untaught

There are some things we forget to teach our children. We teach them manners (maybe some people forget). We teach them to look both ways before crossing the street. We teach them to pick up after themselves (though my house doesn’t always reflect that). Some things we teach by example. Like how to treat others. Or how to spend the day on the couch. This last weekend Isaac brought something to my attention. Something I apparently neglected to teach him. We had four extra kids overnight Saturday, giving their parents a night away. This meant getting four extras (all girls) ready for church. Everything went well. We had an assembly line of doing hair. Everyone was pressed and dress and loading up into 2 vehicles when Isaac’s nose decided to hemorrhage. It was decided that David would clean him up and was just a few minutes late to church. After church I discovered blood. On the living room curtains. Sure enough, Isaac had wiped his nose on the curtains. Then came my teaching moment, one that I assumed was unnecessary. “You can wipe your nose with tissue. You can wipe your nose with toilet paper. In an emergency, you can use your shirt. But never the living room curtains!” I’m a bit worried. What lesson untaught will jump up and bite me in the but next?

Saturday, May 13, 2006

10 Little Harry Potters

It's been one heck of a week. Now, after going full speed the last seven days, it's time to retire. Maybe to my bed with the beloved remote control. Or the couch, I'd be content with either.

Please allow me to re-cap.

Monday: Soccer games

Tuesday: David announced change is coming June 1st for his job, but we don't know what. Mother's Day program at Isaac's school (precious). Begin cape sewing (you'll see).

Wednesday: The tragic dismisal of Chris from American Idol. More cape sewing. Prepare for massive enchilada-making.

Thursday: Isaac's birthday. Mom and Dad's anniversary. Made enchiladas for 60 to take to the Mother-daughter activity with Maddie. More cape making.

Friday: Learn that Aunt Barb passed away TWO DAYS EARLIER. Can you say communication breakdown?! No, I'm not coming home for the funeral. More cape sewing.

Did I mention the standard 40-hour work week?

All in all, I'm glad that I had Isaac's Harry Potter birthday party to focus on during this stranger-than-ususal week.

But now that the Hogwarts-themed party is over, it's time to collapse.

We had a good time. No Harry Potter Party would be complete without glasses...

Wizard Hats...

Potion Class in the Dungeon...

Magic Wands...

And Wicked Scars...

Throw in a game of Harry Potter Scene It and Hoo's Hedwig and will call it done.

Tuesday, May 09, 2006

I am SO Shopping for a New Favorite Team

Do you know of any?
With the VERY recent news that Rick Adelman is gone, I will be looking for another basketball team to take the Kings' place in my heart. Philadelphia would be a candidate if it weren't for that Iverson. I guess I still miss Chris.
So help me, Sacramento better not bring up Phil Jackson. Would they really stoop that low?

Thursday, May 04, 2006

Another Road Trip

As if my poor husband hasn't been on the road enough, it was time to stretch our legs once again, and set out on a road trip. David had some business to take care of in Missoula on Saturday morning, and with my Aunt Randy living just 45 miles from there, the kids and I tagged along. After driving 4 hours Thursday, and then another 5 hours Friday, David picked the kids and I up and continued on for another 5+ hours Friday night, arriving in Missoula just after 11pm. With other, more desirable hotels full due to a Rugby tournament we stayed in the (usually nice, but this time crappy) Ramada. David was quite cranky about it, and when he was done working Saturday morning, he called to say "pack your bags, I checked us in to the Marriott".

The Marriott was brand new and cheaper than that crusty place we stayed Friday night. A fabulous change of pace.

After settling in, we were off for an adventure. The four of us. With David gone so much, it's just been the three of us a lot of the time. We ended up at the mall, which was much better than the mall our town has to offer. We all scored new outfits and spent a long time cooing over the puppies, kittens and bunnies at the pet store. While at the mall Isaac discovered his new favorite place: Hot Topic. Oops!

With all of us starving, we then set off for our much-anticipated breakfast. Okay, maybe it was only much-anticipated by me. I had been day dreaming of hash browns, bacon, sausage, and eggs for days. When else is it acceptable to clog your arteries, other than road trips?

After breakfast I got in a lot of trouble with Isaac. Busy shoveling a handful of goldfish in his mouth as we left, he walked into a window instead of out the door which caused me to giggle, first just to myself, but then I lost control. He was crying and in pain. What a horrible mother.

We were then on our way to visit Aunt Randy, stopping along the way to put our feet in the cold Bitterroot River.

We had a great visit with Aunt Randy, Uncle Merlin, Kristine, Tiffni and the twins. Maddie especially took to the twins.

My aunt and uncle live in the most beautiful valley. It is green and has a strong 'homey' feel to it.

We headed back to our hotel after catching up with our family and enjoying a yummy dinner and dessert (Huckleberry Pie, thank you very much). All four of us went right to sleep, not even taking time to appreciate the new room.

Sunday morning began with another artery clogging breakfast, this time at IHOP, which was not near as good as the Denny's breakfast the day before.

We took the scenic route home. Scenic always equals long. But as long as the four of us were together, who cared?

We drove through green valleys.

And we drove through small towns.

I finally got to see our state capital, Helena. Sad to say, I had my expecations a bit high. I had pictured dramatic mountains for Helena. Maybe I've seen The Sound of Music too many times, for somehow I likened the Alps to these little hills. I tell you what, they're not so Alive in Helena. Still, it was a nice town.

We stopped by Carol College (which I had never heard of).

And a fancy cathedral.

And then the Sunday-quiet capital.

Our journey was long, but I was and am greatful for the togetherness. I enjoyed having the four of us together away from our routine. Even though David continued on to Spearfish, SD after taking us home Sunday night, him arriving at 1:30am.

We saw a lot of beautiful things on this trip. Places I really had looked forward to. But let me say this, and it may not be as profound to you as it is to me, but Montana doesn't have anything on California.

Montana doesn't have Tahoe. It doesn' have the ocean. It doesn't have my family. And it doesn't have trees.