Montana 2011

LJ and I at the Big Hole

Four-wheeling on the North Fork of Sheep Creek

Staining the Cabin

The kids love the four-wheelers especially the Rhino!

Fishing was popular this year

LJ's driftboat he built!

Clint taking a gander at rowing

LJ rowing away

Kori

LJ, Kody, and Clint in a deep discussion

Jack fishes

Cache loved the water and the Big Hole!

Mom protects Kenzie- she was not very fond of the Big Hole

The Big Hole

We made our annual trek to Montana this year for about ten days. The cabin is still as wonderful today as it was when we were kids. We ate too much, stayed up late, played Scrabble and Phase Ten, watched movies, sat in the sun, played in the water, hiked, went on four-wheeler rides, and made smores by the fire. It was awesome. LJ brought his wooden driftboat he built and was able to take it on 4 trips down the Missouri fishing. He loved it. It is a great accomplishment for him. He and Kody spent a day in town working on our truck- thank you Grandpa, Greg, and Myron for all of the help! Lynn, Greg, Grandma, Grandpa, Josh, Jason, Alexis were all able to come and spend time with us and we appreciated it. It is so fun to spend time with everyone!!! We missed Kris and Mat, but they are off on their own adventures and that is great! Until next year Montana-

Mermaids in the Basement

While in Chicago, I read my first book on my new IPAD using my Kindle App. I kinda liked it. Mermaids in the Basement by Michael Lee West was a quick read. It is the story of a young woman who just lost her mom and step father who travels home to Alabama where she learns the secrets of her mother's past. The women in the story are funny, entertaining, and unique. Each character brings fun and flavor to the book and keeps the reader wanting more. I highly recommend for a fast, easy, and entertainging read.

Field Museum & Shedd Aquarium

The Field Museum & Shedd Aquarium sit on Lake Michigan in Chicago and they are AWESOME!! The Field Museum is huge! It houses thousands of species from all over the world as well as displays on the Egyptians, whales, horses, and DINOSAURS!! They have the world's most complete T-Rex skeleton, called Sue, along with other species from those periods. It is fascinating to see bones millions of years old. I was like a kid in a candy store.

The Aquarium was no less spectacular. They had dolphins, Beluga Whales, sea lions, sea otters, a shark reef with six different species, jelly fish, and hundreds of other fish species. I loved it!

Willis (Sears) Tower

We also ventured to the Sears Tower- one of the tallest buildings in the world. It is 108 stories tall, standing 1451 feet in the air. On the SkyDeck there are 5 glass platforms that jet out from the building allowing visitors to be suspended in midair over the city below. This was one of the scariest and coolest things I have ever done. With beautiful 360 degree views of the city, this is definitely a must do!

Chicago & Wrigley Field

This past week I spent in Chicago for the NEA Representative Assembly. We got to have a little bit of fun besides going to meetings 12 hours a day. The first night was spent at Wrigley Field- one of my new favorite ball parks. This park is beautiful. It is original- placed right in the middle of the city, surrounded by neighborhoods, stores, restaurants, the Metro, buildings. I love that people reinforced their buildings and put bleachers on their roofs. The Ivy on the outfield wall is beautiful. This is a great, very personal place to watch a baseball game. Loved it!