Summer 2010

Well, summer is short here in Bozeman, but we managed to squeeze in as many summer/Montana things as we could. We met our friends from SLC, Eric and Teresa in Idaho for our 2nd Annual 4th of July camping trip, Jasmine stayed with us for about 3 weeks during July and then I headed to Destin, Florida with my mom, and our friends Heather and Sharon. The day after I got back, Craig had surgery on his knee, and now school has finally started here. There were a few setbacks this summer, including my computer dying and wiping out all of my pictures from April and May. I also had to buy a new digital camera, and Scout sprained her neck so she was down and out for a couple of weeks. Things are looking up though! I am on the sub list for 2 schools districts, so hopefully here soon I will be working daily. Scout is feeling much better, and I have my computer back up and running.


We met Eric and Teresa in Soda Springs, Idaho for 4th of July weekend. We took Scout, our 4 wheeler and Craig's motorcycle. We had a lot of fun riding up in the mountains, and hanging out with our friends. We camped out, but I have to admit that I slept in the 4 Runner for 2 of the 3 nights. I tried to sleep in the tent with Craig and Scout, I really tried, but it was cold and they both snore, so I was miserable. I am a reaaaalllllyyyy light sleeper, and being cold didn't help. The two of them slept just fine, and I was content in my sleeping bag in the front seat. We had a lot of fun, we really miss Eric and Teresa, so we always enjoy seeing them. Here are a few pics from the weekend:





Our campsite




We were riding through the Cache National Forest and came upon this huge field of flowers, it was so cool!



The gang in the flowers




Craig and I


There are more pictures from this weekend on my Facebook page and hopefully I will get them all back if I can get my hard drive repaired soon.

While Jasmine was here, we did lots of fun things. We went to Lewis & Clark Caverns, did a tour of the Lower Loop of Yellowstone, went Ziplining and White Water Rafting, rode the 4 wheeler up in the mountains, and even managed to do some relaxing. There are a million pictures of Yellowstone, but here are a few of our favorites:




At the entrance to Yellowstone



Craig and Jazz at what they call the Grand Canyon of Yellowstone




One of the many buffalo we saw on our tour





Jasmine and I at one of the natural hot spring pools





All of us at the Continental Divide




At Old Faithful




The Fountain Paint Pots- bubbly mud that never stops!





All in all, we saw buffalo, elk, a momma Grizzly bear and 2 cubs, a Black Bear, a coyote and tons of deer. We only managed to get a picture of the coyote, those bears move fast!





This is in the city of Mammoth Hot Springs. These Elk come into town every night and just hang out. They put the cones up so people won't approach them.
We had a great time in Yellowstone and would love to go back and see more. It was really packed, and we only spent one night in a tiiiiiny little cabin, but we had a great time. We have a TON of videos, but I am not going to post them all. Here are a couple:
This is one of the Hot Spring Pools



This is one of the geysers




While in Destin, mom and I made the short 2 hour drive to Fort Rucker, Alabama to visit the Johnson family. I can't believe Blake is in 3rd grade this year, and Bailie just turned 4! They are growing up so fast. Blake is really enjoying BMX and MX and he is really good at both of them. Bailie is riding her bike without her training wheels, and Stacie and BJ are really enjoying their new home. Here are a few pictures from our visit with them:


Bailie ready for her first day of Pre-K



Bailie, Mom, and I


Riding her bike without training wheels ( in her nightgown)


We spent the night with them, and then headed back to Destin to hang out with the girls for the week. We went on a dolphin watching boat, mom and I went parasailing, Heather and I hit up the Coach outlet store, and we spent a lot of time relaxing on the beach. It was so nice to hang and relax and do a lot of nothing. We had a great time and spent most of our trip talking and catching up. We can't wait until next year!




The girls on our way to eat some seafood on the harbor




Dinner



The beach




Heather and I

Of course I have a ton more pictures, but I am not going to post them all. Florida was tons of fun and we had the best group of girls to go on vacation together. I miss them already!

Craig had knee surgery the day after I got home. He just got a spinal block, so he watched part of his surgery, which he thought was sooooo cool. They repaired his damaged tendon, and took out some damaged cartilage. Here are a couple of pictures I am sure he going to kill me for posting..hehe..






This is pre-surgery




Recovering




Nurse Scout

So, we had a busy summer, and Montana is really beautiful when all the snow melts! Speaking of snow, there is a little up on the top of the mountains, and everyone says is will snow at least once in September. The nights are already getting cold, and the days are not as hot as they were a couple of weeks ago. We are looking forward to seeing our families over Thanksgiving, and we know Florida will be a nice break from our blistering winter. We hope everyone is doing well, and we miss you all!