Jackson Hole and Yellowstone N.P.

Yes, it is true. I, Nichole, went with my family into the wilderness. I even drove home in the family car towing a Uhaul.**

** I knew I wouldn't be able to make it in the car both ways so Anja and I flew to Jackson Hole (a 35 minute flight) and met my brother at the airport. Rich and the boys drove the car and met us there about an hour after we arrived.

I hiked through prime wilderness every day, visited lots of old cabin (as Jensen said, "houses dead people used to live in.") saw large animals and smelled the great outdoors.**

**Buffalo, elk and other large animal poop.

I stayed with the kids in a condo in Jackson while Rich attended his workshop for five days then all of us braved the government owned/operated lodging in Yellowstone.**

**The condo at Love Ridge in Jackson Hole, WY was 1,200 sq feet, 3 1/2 baths, 4 bedrooms, full kitchen, slate floors and plush furnishings. Government run hotel was so gross we left a day early unable to stomach the cinder block walls, gross bathrooms or insects that seemed to wonder into the rooms unannounced.

I watched my kids amazement as they saw the Tetons, Old Faithful and stood on top of Rendezvous Mountain. Was it worth it? Yes, it was beautiful and one of those "moments" as a mother I will never forget.

Will I do it again soon? Probably not, but I wouldn't say never.

**on top of the Rendezvous Mountain peak. One of the few winter tundra areas you can reach without an ice pick--pictured with my brother Mat and the kids.

Next vacation, however, will be adults only... with an ocean, sand and full room service.

Ah, the things you do for your kids (and husband)!

(More pictures to come soon grandma's and grandpa's)

Hit by Lightning!

(Rich took this picture--the lightning hit the top of the statue, turning his face, trumpet and arm black. You can see where the lightning exited the "ball" under his feet where the two black marks are)

So Rich gets all the good stuff-- I volunteer at the OMT and I am bored out of my mind. He volunteers and Angel Moroni is hit by lightning. What gives? (disclaimer-- the angle was really hit the night before but that bit of info wasn't released until the next day so all those who wanted pictures headed over to the temple the night Rich was working security from 3 a.m. to 8 a.m.).

The temple president told Rich they would take Moroni down in the next two weeks and reapply the gold before the temple is dedicated...

No it's not the Swine Flu

At 4:15 p.m. just as we were getting ready to leave church, I noticed Anja felt a little warm, not a big deal, she was acting fine. By 4:45 p.m. she was hotter and looking "sickly". I took her temperature and it was 101.3. I gave her a dose of Motrin and 35 minutes later she was happy as could be. By 9:10 p.m. we were at Instacare with a 103.7 temperature. This was the conversation with the very young nurse...

"Sorry she's sick. It's probably the swine flu. Everyone has it."

N: "I'm really hoping it's not. We were around a lot of people today and have a vacation planned later this week."

"Yeah, you'll probably have to cancel it. You'll be quarantined."

I'm sure she was just trying to make conversation but if the sick kid would have been one of my boys they would have been in tears over the thought of missing a vacation.

Guess what silly nurse? It wasn't the swine flu or even strep throat-- it's a virus! That's it.

Feeling a little RED

Last night I went to the University of Utah to see Nadia's dance concert. Anja made it though the first 40 minutes then we had to leave. We walked around President's Circle for a good hour. It got me thinking; I AM OLD. I graduated from the U in 1995. Back then, there was only the communications department defined by either print or broadcast. Now, there are so many subdivisions I can't keep track.

As I watched my little girl climb the steps to Libby Gardner and Kingsbury Hall, it struck me that she may not go to the U. What could be worse? She could turn out blue-- as in BYU. What would we do? Withhold the college money we have set aside? Bribe her into going to her parents old stomping ground with a shopping spree? Refuse to let her drive our cars? Really, there isn't much. I know, the bigger picture is a college degree--not where she goes...

((WARNING--NICHOLE IS GETTING ON A SOAPBOX))

Going to college is not an optional for my children. Not going after high school isn't an option. Not getting in one or two semesters before a mission isn't an option. College just isn't an option-period. Marriage before a degree will be a hard sell to us. Between Rich and I we have five degrees-- what does that mean? Education is a big deal to us.

So, as I watched my little girl climb those stairs that seemed too big for her today, I snapped a picture, hoping someday to show her how far she has come as she stands on those same stairs in her cap and gown.

Family Pictures

It took two years, but we finally have family pictures that include Anja. I no longer take votes on whether we should or shouldn't get new pictures done-- the boys always vote no.

Michelle from http://www.mishphotography.net/ took these. One of her specialties is collages. She did a beautiful job. This is a picture of her picture -- don't judge her work by my poor quality picture taking-- take a look at her website. She is wonderful to work with.

Reminder---

Tomorrow at 10 a.m. is the mini-couponing class at my house. Kids are welcome! Email me at www.coupongalnichole@yahoo.com if you need the address/directions.

see you there--

The Last Day of School

School is officially over for the year... Jensen is now a 1st grader and Carter is a 4th grader. It's amazing. We celebrated the last day with the traditional fanfare and fun.

Jensen participated in a kindergarten graduation and was also recognized by the school as the top reader--in quantity-- in the entire kindergarten but also as the only kindergartner to make it to the 10 point club (usually reserved for first and second graders). We are so proud of him! Carter was recognized as a member of the 25 point club. We've got two readers!

There were many tears shed as Jensen said good-bye to his teacher, Mrs. Vickie Hansen. She's been a wonderful friend and teacher to Jensen. She has built him up and given him the confidence he needs to push himself.
This is Jensen's bestfriend, Connor.
Our kindergarten class consisted of 18 students the majority of which were boys. Sometimes things got a bit out of hand, but overall, they were all good boys.


Carter played lots of water games as part of field day--followed by a choco-taco!

He enjoyed his homeroom teacher, Mr. Alan Shino, who encouraged him to write stories instead of journal entries (which he hated). I have several books filled with stories from my son's wonderful imagination!
Congratulations boys, we are proud of you!