First Day of First Grade

 

 

 

While today was everyone else in the district's 2nd day of school, today was Nat's FIRST day...thanks to a quick onset of the 24 hours stomach flu which reared it's ugly vomiting head at 2AM the morning of what was to be her first day. She was feeling great this morning, though, so off we headed to the bus stop. Back in Janesville, we lived across the street from school, and so I heard on many occasions, "Mom, when can I ride a school bus to school?". Needless to say, Nat was in her glory when she found out she rides a bus to school here. It was definately a "moment" to have her climb on that big bus by herself and drive away. I can still vividly remember the picture of ME walking to the bus stop with my dad, in a blue dress and knee high socks (oh yeah!) on my first day of first grade. It's one of those scary mom moments (you moms know what I'm talking about) when you ponder the fact that you have a daughter now doing the same thing you did not so seemingly long ago. I'll admit, I had to bite my lip a bit to fight the potential emotional outburst.
All said and done, she LOVES her first grade teacher and had a great first day!

East High in the Hizzaouse

Unless you have every song in High School Musical 1, 2 & 3 memorized, you won't completely understand the monumental occasion this was. We Took the girls to see the high school where they filmed High School Musical. they got to see the lunch room, the locker rooms, the gym, the auditorium, the bathroom where Gabriella hides from Sharpay, Troy, Gabriella and Sharpay's lockers. It was off the hook!

 

 

 

Hike up to Cecret Lake

the three little mountaineers and I hiked up to Cecret Lake today. It was a beautiful hike. I can't believe they made it to the top, but the view was worth it. Notice Audrey's pose on top of the snow... she gets that from her Uncle Tristan

 

 

 

 

Tour de Donut

My three little ladies and I did the Tour de Donut bike ride this morning. Not quite the Tour de France, but there are donuts at the end. Natalie completed the 7 mile course. There is a race portion with three laps and the more donuts you eat at the end of each lap the more time you get taken off your ride, it is pretty funny to watch. The gentle man in the last picture had just smashed three donuts together and was eating them like a sandwich

 

 

 

Happy 4th!

 

Happy 4th!

 

 

Friday Night Pizza

A glimpse into a formal Friday night pizza feast at the Shepherds

 

 

Swimming with Grandma Benson

An all you can eat cheeto buffet kept Max and Katie occupied while the rest of us swam.
 
 
 
 

Hike

 

Afternoon Hike

 

Some attractions in Wyoming

Wyoming is the most desolate place we have ever driven through. We went 150 miles with out any sign of life or civilization, or rest room... and Nicky had to pee, thank goodness for a raod-side Biff used by the construction workers. It was actually a lot cleaner than a rest stop bathroom, go figure??
 

Another great attraction in Wyoming... We thought about getting a room there, but we were afraid of the expectations the sign set.
 

Bear Country

This was a lot of fun. its the classic try and not get eaten by a bear theme park
 
 

The cabin at Mt. Rushmore

if anyone needs a place to stay at Mount Rushmore, we would highly recommend these cabins. It was the girls favorite part of the trip. Not Mt. Rushmore, not the chuckwagon dinner show, not Crazy Horse, not Bear Country... the cabin.
 
 
 
 

Mount Rushmore Day 2

The fog cleared the next day and we were able to get a nice view of mount rushmore and Crazy Horse
 
 
 
 

Mount Rushmore Day 1