School is just around the corner...

You can always tell that school is just about to start - the teachers are in their rooms getting boards ready and curriculum set up, parents are stopping by for their children's schedules, and kids are looking frantically around wondering what happened to summer.

Heather and I have been spending time in our rooms lately trying to get things ready before in-service workshop begins next week. I haven't seen Talahi yet, but South is still a ways from being ready for open house next Wednesday. Lots of stuff in the halls yet, rooms are still being cleaned, and a bunch of us still don't have our floors completely finished.

But, I got quite a bit done these past few days and am really excited for the year to begin. It's crazy to think that this is my 12th year teaching and I still get nervous for that first day.

Isaac is getting excited for school to start too - but I think it is more so that he can wear his new white shoes than anything else. He is so much his mother's son it is crazy - loves his new clothes.

We're hoping to hit the State Fair before school starts - Heather loves ALL food on a stick so that is always a good time. She doesn't really eat so much as she loves to sample - one bite here and then off to something else. Good times...

Things are going well...

Just wanted to let you know that things seem to be going really well for Heather and her pregnancy so far. It's still pretty early but we are getting closer to the end of the First Trimester so we are keeping our fingers crossed. The day before we left for Wyoming Heather had her first ultrasound and tests and everything then was GREAT - heartbeat was 162 (I think) which many say is signs of a girl, but I checked and that isn't necessarily the case. We got to see the baby and it was moving - looks a bit hyper so it apparently is starting off to take after me - I'm hoping that changes...

Her due date was moved to March 8th based on the pictures which will be nice since we start Spring Break March 9th so that will give us the week to just take care of Isaac and Baby.

I think Heather is enjoying shopping for new clothes since she now has the excuse that "things aren't fitting quite right." Very convenient... Oh well, she is feeling good and able to exercise still which she loves - she has even begun to run just a little bit again which I think she missed a lot.

Isaac says he is excited but I'm sure he is nervous too - I don't blame him - I am too...

Our Last Trip to the Mountains

Today was our last trip out to Yellowstone, and for me the most challenging BY FAR. All we had left to really see in the park was the Northern path so that is where we headed. This was our furthest drive thus far too so it was a long trip in the car. This path also took us over the highest altitude of the park -almost 9000 feet.

First we headed to Mammoth Springs, which is basically a HUGE spring that has hardened into this 300 foot high structure. It looks so much like a huge chunk of ice - very cool. After this we headed to the nearby village which was actually an old army camp which was the former headquarters for the entire park before the National Park Service was established. The buildings were really old - very cool.

From here we headed down through a variety of sites including Tower Falls - very beautiful waterfall that we were able to walk down near the base. Not as tough of walk as the Lower Falls, but very nice.

We also ran across our third bear, but the first one that we had enough time to take a picture of. Heather wanted me to make sure I noted that she was the photographer for this picture. Our last drive took us to that highest point and wound through the park and finally down the mountain for the last time.


We'll be taking off tomorrow morning and driving to Dickinson, ND most like where we'll stay overnight. Since the drive straight through is about 14 hours (with no stops at all) driving all the way though won't be possible - Isaac has only so many movies in the car. We'll be home Friday as soon as we can - Heather really misses Chloe.

Yellowstone Park - Day 2

Today was a day about cliffs and waterfalls. We started the morning as we have the last few - eating breakfast, going swimming, and getting ready to go. As we headed back out to Yellowstone - I felt a little better about driving up the side of the mountain, but still not great. Heather and Isaac both were a bit tired so things were quieter in the car.

Today we decided to spend most of our day checking out the Yellowstone River path up to the Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone. Isaac enjoyed wading in the river and even stayed dry somehow - which for him was a first. Then we headed up to the canyon - only to run into the ONLY possible traffic jam possible in Yellowstone - CAUSED BY BUFFALO THAT WOULDN'T LEAVE THE ROAD!!! The cars were backed up for a while and we ended up waiting 30 minutes but we got to see a lot of wildlife on the wait.

The Grand Canyon was pretty amazing but continued to test my "love" of heights. One of the most amazing sites was the Lower Falls which we were able to see from a few angles. At one point we ended up walking down what is called "Uncle Tom's Trail" which was a small metal staircase overlooking the water fall - much to Heather's surprise I headed down with her and Isaac and even was able to look over at the drop off. We couldn't figure out why everyone walking up looked so tired and out of breathe until we made the trek up ourselves - WOW!!!! Even Heather, who is VERY in shape had to stop every once in a while catch her breathe and let her legs rest. Well worth the walk.

We then headed out to Artist Point to see what I think may have been the best view so far. You sit on a platform overlooking the Lower Waterfall again, but seeing it through the cannon. Very cool.

We did a bit of looking around Cannon Village, had some dinner and decided to start heading back to Cody (about 85 mile drive) and wouldn't you know it - ANOTHER BUFFALO TRAFFIC JAM - this one last 1 HOUR!!!!!! We ended up being in the car for 3 hours but had fun talking pretty much the entire time - even Isaac since Heather banned the DVD player for the entire day.

Tomorrow is our last day before making the journey home - we're going to head back up the mountain one more time and see the hot springs and that area and then get some rest back the hotel so we can be rested for the drive.

Our trip in the Mountains

Today we finally headed up into the mountains to Yellowstone National Park. Anyone that knows me knows what a wimp I am about driving in high elevations so this was going to be interesting. However, I did it by keeping my eyes straight ahead the entire way up the side of the mountain. My favorite quote of the day from Heather is when she said (as we were approaching a HUGE drop off area) "Ryan, don't look. Isaac, check this out..." I was laughing about that the rest of the day.

We got into the park and up into the mountains only to see a really awesome lake - Yellowstone Lake. It was kinda weird to see this lake up so high and in the middle of this mountain. One thing we are getting used to smelling around here is the sulfur smell of the hot spots. By the lake we could see smoke come from the ground which is one these hot spots that around the park. Pretty cool.

We made a few other small stops at some nice scenery, but kind of focused our day on getting to Old Faithful. That was a pretty amazing area of the park - walking around and seeing these "pots" of boiling water in the ground. However, it smells like they are boiling rotten eggs. Then, at 6:36 we got a chance to see Old Faithful "erupt" - exactly when they predicted - unreal!!!

Also today, we got a chance to see some GREAT wildlife - surprising since there were so many cars around. I think we saw 2 bears, a herd of buffalo (and even one walking down the road at us), 2 coyotes, a few deer. After all this, it was back down the mountain (thank God it was dark and I couldn't see over the edge) and back to Cody.

Tomorrow - back to Yellowstone for the hot springs and whatever else we can run across.

Western Trip - Day 3

Well, today started off pretty interesting. We got up and went to enjoy a relaxing breakfast but I think had the same plan as everyone else at the same time -the lobby was nuts. Our hotel room isn't attached to the main lobby area (it's a motor hotel - rows of hotel rooms) which made Heather REALLY nervous right away. However - the rooms are GREAT - very clean, separate sink and bathroom so we can get ready at the same time - fridge, microwave, etc...

After breakfast we headed to the pool for a morning swim - here is where the entertainment began (I wish I had the camera with me at this point...). Heather went to work out while Isaac and I swam when the Europeans arrived. We think Italian, but we're not 100% sure. Heather, Isaac, and I couldn't stop laughing when they, as a family, jumped into the pool, and began to do "family aerobics" together - running around in their speedos and thongs inside of the pool chanting something together. Then the dad (yes, wearing a little speedo) got out and headed for the WOMEN'S LOCKER ROOM and goes in to get ready. Dad then comes out wearing only a towel and accidentally flashes Heather looking for his stuff - new idea for "Italian Sausage". I'm not sure I've ever seen her turn so red before. Not even Noon here yet - wow!!!!! After what we just saw, I'm not sure the mountains are the scariest thing anymore.

In the afternoon, we checked out the Buffalo Bill Historical Center which is a mix of 5 different museums. The first one we checked out was a history of guns which was pretty cool for Isaac and I, but Heather was bored to tears there. The other museums (Natural History, Plains Indians, Buffalo Bill, etc...) were REALLY cool for all of us - I think we all learned a lot!!!!

Tonight we went to the Rodeo on the edge of Cody - what a GREAT experience for all three of us!!! Isaac had a blast and even got down into the arena. I think after this - he had a new calling - RODEO STAR!!!!!

Tomorrow - we're heading out to Yellowstone - ummm......

Western Trek - Day 2

Today we enjoyed a relaxing morning and then packed up and back in the car. Before we left Medora, Isaac had to get his toy cowboy kit complete with pistol, mask, spurs, and knife. I think most of it was broken before we got out of North Dakota. Right outside of Medora is the Roosevelt National Park. It was pretty amazing seeing the Badlands of North Dakota. Isaac always loves a chance to see prairie dogs, plus some buffalo and horses.
Next, it was off for another long trip which lasted almost 7 hours with stops. This time we headed across Montana and then dropped down into Wyoming. What amazed us was just how LIFELESS the drive was. You can drive and drive and seriously not see anything except rock and brown grass - not even a highway sign. I set the cruise at 80 for most of the trip and hoped I wasn't speeding too bad. Heather slept for a few hours and Isaac enjoyed a few movies in our new car. The DVD player has been a lifesaver!!!!!
We had a little scare as the sun was going down with directions - since there are no signs we had no idea if we were for sure going to find Cody. It turned up though finally with the mountains in the background. - THEY ARE REALLY HUGE. Find out how big tomorrow I'm sure...

Go West Young Man - Day 1

Today we left for our summer vacation that we usually try to plan in August every year. We are heading out west, through North Dakota, stopping in Medora. WHAT A LONG DRIVE!!!! We spent about 8 hours in the car all together between dropping off Chloe at Heather's parents' house and driving through Moorhead and across the entire state. I think right now we are about 27 miles from the Montana border. It was really flat for about 99% of the drive but then all of sudden the Bad Lands of ND popped up and there we were. Heather planned a really fun evening for us - dinner at the Pitchfork Steak Fondue and the Medora Musical. Both were a lot of fun - food was awesome, the view was GREAT, and the play was really, really good!!! I think Isaac was getting tired by the time it was all over, but he seemed to have fun. Tomorrow - after checking out some places near Medora, we're back in the car and off to the Mountains and Cody, WY. Since I hate driving in areas that high it should be interesting, but I think Heather and Isaac are excited. Good times...

Isaac's Last Hit of the Summer