As you might imagine we've been very busy, so no posts in a week or so. Jonathan and Robby are enjoying their new teachers, and are back in the swing of school (with homework and everything). Joshua starts back to pre-school at Peace Lutheran on Tuesday after Labor Day.
My new job is going very well. Chesapeake Energy is really a great company. The esprit de corps is awesome, and I'm really enjoying it.
I'll try to get some pictures up soon, and blogger is now supporting video posts, so I'll see what I can do about that as well.
Monday, August 27, 2007
Sunday, August 19, 2007
Cool Changes!
Well, it's Sunday night, Robby starts 1st grade and Jonathan starts 3rd grade tomorrow, and I'm starting at Chesapeake tomorrow. Many changes coming tomorrow, for sure! I'm so excited to be doing something different! I'll have some posts soon that will have more content.
In the meantime, check this out!
In the meantime, check this out!
Tuesday, August 14, 2007
Colorado Vacation - Day 7
August 11th, 2007 - "Draw, Mister"
Today we decided to go back thru Dodge City, and visit Boot Hill. It was pretty fun, but hot. And I think the kids would have liked to see a gun fight or two (they only had one at noon, and we got there at 1:00).
After that we went thru Greensburgh, KS which is where that big F5 tornado hit on May 4th, 2007. They still have medical tents and Red Cross supply trucks all over the place, and huge piles of rubble. Unbelievable that only 10 people died, once you see the extent of damage.
We then made it to Skiatook to pickup Shadow and spend the night.
Well, that's it for the summer 2007! We had a great trip, and the kids will be getting ready for school next week. They'll be back in class on August 20!
Today we decided to go back thru Dodge City, and visit Boot Hill. It was pretty fun, but hot. And I think the kids would have liked to see a gun fight or two (they only had one at noon, and we got there at 1:00).
After that we went thru Greensburgh, KS which is where that big F5 tornado hit on May 4th, 2007. They still have medical tents and Red Cross supply trucks all over the place, and huge piles of rubble. Unbelievable that only 10 people died, once you see the extent of damage.
We then made it to Skiatook to pickup Shadow and spend the night.
Well, that's it for the summer 2007! We had a great trip, and the kids will be getting ready for school next week. They'll be back in class on August 20!
Colorado Vacation - Day 6
August 10th, 2007 - "Last Day"
Well, today we had to pack up and head back to the land of the heat and humidity. We took some pix of the deer that were constantly hanging out behind the cabin.
We made a stop in Denver to tour the Hammond's Candy Factory, which was very cool. They make all of their candy by hand, and make 500,000 lbs per year. The kids got to watch one of the nine candy makers make part of his batch, and we got some free samples too!
After that we headed on to Colby, KS to stay at the hotel and have a swim again, which was refreshing.
Well, today we had to pack up and head back to the land of the heat and humidity. We took some pix of the deer that were constantly hanging out behind the cabin.
We made a stop in Denver to tour the Hammond's Candy Factory, which was very cool. They make all of their candy by hand, and make 500,000 lbs per year. The kids got to watch one of the nine candy makers make part of his batch, and we got some free samples too!
After that we headed on to Colby, KS to stay at the hotel and have a swim again, which was refreshing.
Colorado Vacation - Day 5
August 9th, 2007 - "Bumper Cars and More!"
Today we visited a big park that had all kinds of fun things to do. It was located in Estes Park, and we did the bumper boats, bumper cars, go carts, balloon wars, batting cages, and mini golf.
But before we did that, we hoofed over to the Estes Park library for their free wi-fi. Katrina and I got our technology fix (email, podcast updates etc). Toward the end of the day, we went fishing at Mary's Lake, but didn't catch any. My suspicion is that most of those fish had seen a hook or two before!
Afterward we went over to a small cafe for some good dinner.
Today we visited a big park that had all kinds of fun things to do. It was located in Estes Park, and we did the bumper boats, bumper cars, go carts, balloon wars, batting cages, and mini golf.
But before we did that, we hoofed over to the Estes Park library for their free wi-fi. Katrina and I got our technology fix (email, podcast updates etc). Toward the end of the day, we went fishing at Mary's Lake, but didn't catch any. My suspicion is that most of those fish had seen a hook or two before!
Afterward we went over to a small cafe for some good dinner.
Colorado Vacation - Day 4
August 8th, 2007 - "Trail Ridge Road"
Today we headed West into RMNP via the Trail Ridge Road. The owners of the cabin had an audio tape tour that was actually pretty good, and gave us a lot of insight into the settlement of the area, and how this mountain range was formed. We took lots of photos, and many many stops to take short hikes, climb rocks and see the awesome scenery.
We made some sandwiches at one of the stops, and met some other families from Oklahoma. We had a really special treat, in that we got to see a small heard of big horn sheep, up close and personal. They were up above the tree line, in the tundra. Fortunately there was a small trail that allowed us to hike up a bit and see them really well.
We also saw quite a few elk, ground squirrels etc. We turned around at the big visitors center, after picking up some souvenirs for the cousins, and headed back toward Estes Park. We ate dinner at "The Other Side Restaurant". I had rainbow trout, which was really good, but Katrina didn't like her fettucini.
More adventures tomorrow, and maybe some fishing!
Today we headed West into RMNP via the Trail Ridge Road. The owners of the cabin had an audio tape tour that was actually pretty good, and gave us a lot of insight into the settlement of the area, and how this mountain range was formed. We took lots of photos, and many many stops to take short hikes, climb rocks and see the awesome scenery.
We made some sandwiches at one of the stops, and met some other families from Oklahoma. We had a really special treat, in that we got to see a small heard of big horn sheep, up close and personal. They were up above the tree line, in the tundra. Fortunately there was a small trail that allowed us to hike up a bit and see them really well.
We also saw quite a few elk, ground squirrels etc. We turned around at the big visitors center, after picking up some souvenirs for the cousins, and headed back toward Estes Park. We ate dinner at "The Other Side Restaurant". I had rainbow trout, which was really good, but Katrina didn't like her fettucini.
More adventures tomorrow, and maybe some fishing!
Colorado Vacation - Day 3
August 7th, 2007 - "Wet and Tired"
The cabin turned out really nice! Here are a few pictures. It could sleep 10 if the fold out couch and futon are used. Three bedrooms, one bathroom. And a GREAT DECK!
We loaded up two backpacks that were at the cabin with water and fruit bars. Then we headed into RMNP for some hiking. We decided to do the Cub Lake hike, which is a 2.5 mile hike to a secluded lake.
The hike wasn't too bad, until the last half mile or so, where it was very rocky, lots of switch-backs, and pretty steep. The boys did a great job of getting there. Katrina gave Josh a ride on her shoulders for the last little bit to the lake. We spent 15-20 minutes relaxing by the lake, which was covered in lilly pads. And the view of the mountains was SPECTACULAR!
Then we headed the 2.5 miles back. Joshua road on dads shoulders, and Robby fell about 1/4 mile into the journey back, where he scraped his leg and fingers, and hit his head on a rock. So he got a piggy-back ride with mom almost the whole way back. Joshua switched to mom's shoulders for the last 1/2 mile or so, when Robby decided he could walk. Needless to say we were very tired when we got done. We only had the fruit bars for our lunch, so we were hungry (skipping lunch seems to be a theme on this trip!). And, oh yeah, did I mention the rain? While we were at Cub Lake we started hearing the thunder and the clouds rolled in. It rained the entire hike back, and we didn't follow the scout motto at all, so we didn't have any rain gear.
We drove back to the cabin, got a hot shower, then headed into town for what Katrina described as the best pizza she ever had. Bob & Tony's Pizza was terrific, but expensive. About the same price as Hideaway. Once we got done eating, we headed back to the cabin for a heated game of Monopoly.
Robby sucked up all the property, and sat back and watched the $$$ role in. He beat his dad by $74.
Oh, and and Joshua decided the dishes were stacking up!
We had planned to do some fishing, but I started looking at all the restrictions, and was somewhat overwhelmed. Barbless hooks here, no live bait there, no fishing in some spots at all etc etc etc. So we'll see if we get a line wet or not. I brought our spinning gear just in case.
All in all it was a great day with a great adventure! Tomorrow I think we'll head further into RMNP along the Trail Ridge Road.
The cabin turned out really nice! Here are a few pictures. It could sleep 10 if the fold out couch and futon are used. Three bedrooms, one bathroom. And a GREAT DECK!
We loaded up two backpacks that were at the cabin with water and fruit bars. Then we headed into RMNP for some hiking. We decided to do the Cub Lake hike, which is a 2.5 mile hike to a secluded lake.
The hike wasn't too bad, until the last half mile or so, where it was very rocky, lots of switch-backs, and pretty steep. The boys did a great job of getting there. Katrina gave Josh a ride on her shoulders for the last little bit to the lake. We spent 15-20 minutes relaxing by the lake, which was covered in lilly pads. And the view of the mountains was SPECTACULAR!
Then we headed the 2.5 miles back. Joshua road on dads shoulders, and Robby fell about 1/4 mile into the journey back, where he scraped his leg and fingers, and hit his head on a rock. So he got a piggy-back ride with mom almost the whole way back. Joshua switched to mom's shoulders for the last 1/2 mile or so, when Robby decided he could walk. Needless to say we were very tired when we got done. We only had the fruit bars for our lunch, so we were hungry (skipping lunch seems to be a theme on this trip!). And, oh yeah, did I mention the rain? While we were at Cub Lake we started hearing the thunder and the clouds rolled in. It rained the entire hike back, and we didn't follow the scout motto at all, so we didn't have any rain gear.
We drove back to the cabin, got a hot shower, then headed into town for what Katrina described as the best pizza she ever had. Bob & Tony's Pizza was terrific, but expensive. About the same price as Hideaway. Once we got done eating, we headed back to the cabin for a heated game of Monopoly.
Robby sucked up all the property, and sat back and watched the $$$ role in. He beat his dad by $74.
Oh, and and Joshua decided the dishes were stacking up!
We had planned to do some fishing, but I started looking at all the restrictions, and was somewhat overwhelmed. Barbless hooks here, no live bait there, no fishing in some spots at all etc etc etc. So we'll see if we get a line wet or not. I brought our spinning gear just in case.
All in all it was a great day with a great adventure! Tomorrow I think we'll head further into RMNP along the Trail Ridge Road.
Colorado Vacation - Day 2
August 6th, 2007 - "Riding is the car is FUN!"
Today we left Colby, KS and headed to Denver. Not too many adventures between the two, other than a quick stop at the CO border.
Once we got to Denver we went to the museum of natural history. It was pretty cool, and the kids had a great time. We didn't eat lunch, so we were all really hungry.
We made it to Estes Park, and got to the cabin after a bit of driving around (we missed one of the streets signs). From the back seat we heard Josh ask the question "Is this Heaven?". We all got a laugh at that one, then decided that at least part of Heaven must look like the Rockies! We then went into Estes Park, which was pretty touristy. We were STARVING, as it was about 6:30 local time, and 7:30 Central, and lunch consisted of Cheeze-Its in the car. We had some food (burger for dad, pasta for mom, spaghetti for Josh and Jon and chicken fingers for Rob), then we went to Safeway for some groceries for the cabin.
Tomorrow we're headed into the RMNP (Rocky Mountain National Park) for some hiking and adventures!
Today we left Colby, KS and headed to Denver. Not too many adventures between the two, other than a quick stop at the CO border.
Once we got to Denver we went to the museum of natural history. It was pretty cool, and the kids had a great time. We didn't eat lunch, so we were all really hungry.
We made it to Estes Park, and got to the cabin after a bit of driving around (we missed one of the streets signs). From the back seat we heard Josh ask the question "Is this Heaven?". We all got a laugh at that one, then decided that at least part of Heaven must look like the Rockies! We then went into Estes Park, which was pretty touristy. We were STARVING, as it was about 6:30 local time, and 7:30 Central, and lunch consisted of Cheeze-Its in the car. We had some food (burger for dad, pasta for mom, spaghetti for Josh and Jon and chicken fingers for Rob), then we went to Safeway for some groceries for the cabin.
Tomorrow we're headed into the RMNP (Rocky Mountain National Park) for some hiking and adventures!
Sunday, August 05, 2007
Colorado Vacation - Day 1
We're off! We left Edmond today, and ended up in Colby, KS for the night. Grandma and Grandpa W picked up Shadow and are watching him for the week. We left a little before noon, and stopped in Bartlesville, OK for lunch. We made sandwiches and played on a playground at one of the schools.
The ride in the car has been pretty good! The boys have really done a great job!
And once we got to Colby we went to the waffle house and had some dinner, then went for a swim! Just what we needed after a big day in the car.
Tomorrow should prove much more exciting. We're planning a stop in Denver at the natural history museum, and then we'll be at the cabin in Estes Park. Hopefully we'll have some internet connectivity (yeah, right). But if not, I'll blog on the local machine and upload when we get back.
STAY TUNED!
The ride in the car has been pretty good! The boys have really done a great job!
And once we got to Colby we went to the waffle house and had some dinner, then went for a swim! Just what we needed after a big day in the car.
Tomorrow should prove much more exciting. We're planning a stop in Denver at the natural history museum, and then we'll be at the cabin in Estes Park. Hopefully we'll have some internet connectivity (yeah, right). But if not, I'll blog on the local machine and upload when we get back.
STAY TUNED!
Wednesday, August 01, 2007
T-Ball
We had a T-ball game for Robby last night. It's actually the first one I've been to all season, but I don't feel too bad. He's been playing on Jonathan's coach-pitch team, and I've made all of those games. I actually think he does better at coach pitch than t-ball! Anyway, it was fun.
I'll try to get some pictures up soon.
I'll try to get some pictures up soon.
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