"Just living is not enough," said the butterfly, "one must have sunshine, freedom and a little flower." ~Hans Christian Anderson

Here are a few pics from this summer. I had so many I hope I got what I needed to here. This starts at the end of July with us at Devil's Tower.

We went to Minnesota for a week. Didn't get any pics of paintball tho--I'll have to get on that next time.

Isaac lost a few teeth on the way.

Wayne caught an 11 pound catfish.



When Brandon came a few days later we went to the Big Horns and saw Tie Hack Damn and climbed to the lookout tower.

I went to the MS bikathon after that to give massages to the riders, pics posted later.

The week after that we went camping at Old Flume on the North side of the Big Horns (the cow pasture)

My kids had such a great time.


Shell Falls

Can't forget the Wyoming Moose.

It is not necessary to change. Survival is not mandatory. ~W. Edwards Deming (Thank you, Michelle.)

Just super excited that I finally got to go camping!! Dixie and Glen came for a visit and camped with us too so I hope it was all OK. Even though we camped in a cow pasture. Honestly, I have seen my share of cow pastures and have never thought to section one off to create a campground--guess its like a two for one for the owners. But we got to hike and fish. Zoey of course was the only one to catch a fish and Ike tried and tried with no luck:( We went to Shell Falls which was a good site seeing trip, but of course being afraid of heights I didn't exactly look over or through any of the chain link fence that they put right at the very edge of the cliffs.

Laundry day today. Open house for school tomorrow and school starts on Tuesday. So we are just making sure everyone has everything they need to start school this week and I think (so far anyway) we are on the right track.

God gave us two ends - one to sit on and one to think with. Success depends on which one you use. Head you win, tail you lose. ~Author Unknown

I was sad when I saw summer coming to an end. It is just starting to warm up!! But as I foresaw this, August still seemed to whiz by without my noticing:(

This week has been a very normal week. Not too much confusion, which for me is a good thing. But the reality of fall is upon us. I took the kids school supply shopping the other day. We went to Walmart which is like going people watching at the state fair, but without the fun rides. The isles were full and my kids had quite the time. I picked up their school lists, but of course Isaac insisted that he already knew what Zoey needed for Kindergarten since he had already been there. Zoey too, had a list in her head that she thought was perfect (and it probably wasn't so far off). I got Isaac registered for soccer, which starts next week. Zoey's age group had already filled so she is not going to do fall soccer, but I'll just register her for ice skating right away. We have also considered gymnastics, but it seems that at the age of only 5 my daughter has found an interest in the most expensive sports in town. So we will see if we do that soon or wait til next summer. So I am already thinking in my head how all these schedules will fit together as we don't have Isaac's soccer schedule yet, but after soccer he wants to do active kids again. I think that fits well, but having kids in different things at different times gets to be interesting.

Also now that summer is coming to a close things are starting to pick up at the rec center again and I am hoping to keep busy there. It will be different having Zoey in school on Fridays--possibly keep me more focused to work. Who knows?????

Pain is inevitable. Suffering is optional. ~M. Kathleen Casey

This past weekend I volunteered to provide massage therapy at the MS Bikathon in Sundance. It was a very interesting experience. I miss working events like that--I haven't since I lived in MN.

Anyway it was 2 days of about 100 degree heat and 20-30 mile an hour winds. I was in town of course, but my tent where I was giving the massages actually blew down once--so I can't really imagine how aweful it was for the riders. I stayed until the very last ones came in, and glad I did. The last one in was a girl who came all the way from Oregon and she biked the 2 day 160 mile bikathon with MS. People come from all over and are so caring and compassionate. I love to surround myself with such possitive energy and amazing people.

The more I practice, the luckier I get. ~Jerry Barber, about golf

Feeling much more caught up and productive today:) Yea! Plus I am excited that football season, rugby season and soccer season are here.

If you come to a fork in the road, take it. ~Yogi Berra

Things haven't really slowed down here yet and I am not really expecting them to anytime soon. After we got back from MN Isaac woke up early the next morning haveing breathing problems. I had refilled his Advair before we went to MN in case he needed it there so I gave him a dose of that and sent him to the showers. I didn't really know how long the Advair took to work or really if it had much of an effect on him since I give him so many other things too. I asked him how he was feeling after his shower and he was still feeling pretty cruddy but he was feeling good enough to joke through it. After I asked him he says "But Mom I can sound like an old grandpa" with all smiles. I called the Doc and she prescribed his usual dose of asteroids (steroids), but this time I didn't wait for the pharmasist to bug his eyes out at the high dosage. Ike says they still taste terrible and should be grape flavored. I didn't have to take much time off work for the whole ordeal. He was breathing better before noon and he tagged along with me for the next few days. He answered my phone for me while I gave massages. The Doc wanted to see him the next day and I just scheduled it when she had her first opening, which originally was a poor time for us to go, but my schedule magically worked itself out so I could still have time for everyone.

By Thursday Brandon and Chloe were here. Its always fun when Brandon comes--well except that we were reshingleing the house so that probably wasn't the most fun we had ever had--but you know. They got the whole thing done by Sunday, which was super awesome, plus we had time to tour the mountains on Saturday. They stayed til early this morning so that we could all celebrate Chris's 35th birthday on Monday. After Chris got done with work they went to Devil's Tower (while I worked, bummer). We went out to Slices for pizza that night and had ice cream cake from Dairy Queen.

Today I did my best to find our regular routine. The kids were up late last night and I woke them up this morning and sent them both off to day care. It was an extremely slow go. So I am staying up tonight doing dishes and laundry and work things and catch up a little on my blogging.

I so totally can't believe that school starts in like two weeks. I am going to have all my children in school--all day--everyday. No daycare at this point in time so it seems that for a while I will be working more than usual this fall, but by the time Thanksgiving and Christmas roll around I won't be working so much between vacation and professional days. Gillette gets a lot of professional days and I am not always sure what the teachers do those days, but it means no school. So things will feel different from just daycare, plus daycare was kinda nice cuz I could pick her up when I wanted. Or like if I was running behind--no worries cuz they don't close til 6:30pm. Which really only gives me extra time in the summer when Isaac is also not in school, but still. It really gives me a lot less one on one time with them. They will always be together (usually fighting).

You sure can pick them, Bella. This movie really sucks. (Jacob Black, New Moon)

So have you guessed where I got my music from? This is the music stuck in my head all day long cuz I have watched New Moon way too many times. So I thought I'd share and get it stuck in your head too.

A good friend is cheaper than therapy. ~Author Unknown

We attempted a trip to MN and with all of the things we needed to fit in and all the things we didn't get to do--STRESSFUL does not even begin to describe it. I am still recovering from super sticky messes and ants not to mention Isaac woke up early on Monday with his horrible croup breathing again. Luckily I had his Advair refilled before we left for MN, so with a dose of that and the Doc started him on steroids before even seeing him he is now feeling much better. I do need to go out and get more Clariton it seems as Isaac, Zoey and I are all coughing. So Isaac has been hanging out with me the last few days being my receptionist. Which is really cute. Zoey is going in tomorrow for more shots and of course she wants her brother there, not for support, but to show him how tough she is. Hopefully Brandon will be here Thursday and the guys can get a start on shingeling the roof.

We are in motorcycle heaven here with the Sturgis Bike Rally going on (I should totally catch a concert), football starts monday and I will be giving massages at the MS Bikeathon on Aug 22/23.