A Tough Day at Work

Big Basin

View From the Top of the Aspen Range

Denver Winslow

Lori Hammon, and Chad Gentry

Dennis Facer

Today I spent my 'work' day quading the mountains. I gave a tour of a Simplot phosphate lease to some folks from JR Simplot. Dennis Facer is the Mine Manager at Smoky Canyon Mine. Chad Gentry is the Engineering Manager at Smoky Canyon. Denver Winslow is a Mining Engineer at Smoky Canyon. Lori Hammon is an Evironmental Engineer out of Pocatello. Because of confidentiality issues I can not say much more about our trip, other than besides the work we did do, we also had a lot of fun! I slept in an hour, played on the quad all day, and was home an hour early! Not a bad day of work!

Photos Taken: May 31, 2007

Greatest Camping Trip Ever II

Ruby on Stewart Creek

Spencer on Deer Creek

Preston at Camp

The kids were all dressed in their thermal underwear, making 'smoke sniggals', by poking sticks in the fire and catching the ends on fire.

Ruby, Spencer and Preston on Bear Creek

Preston, Spencer and Ruby on Bear Creek

Photos taken: May 27, 28, and 29, 2007

Greatest Camping Trip Ever!

We spent the last few days camping in our 'backyard'! We camped at Diamond Creek in the 'campground' there. It is about 15 miles from the house, and is one of our favorite spots to play on our quads each summer.

The kids declared this 'THE GREATEST CAMPING TRIP EVER'!

Spencer, Ruby, and Preston

At the top of Stewart Canyon on Dry Ridge

Spencer Takin a Break

Near the top of Diamond Creek

Here Comes Mom!

At the top of Deer Creek

The Kids are Ready to GO!

Bear Creek

Watching for Elk and Deer!

Diamond Creek Campground

We will post more of this great adventure later!

Photos taken: May 27, 28 and 29, 2007

Playing Second Base

Nice Stop!

Ruby's team played their 3rd all boy team last night! The game was tight up until the end, but the boys pulled away with the victory. The girls have nothing to be ashamed of! They are holding their own against the boys league. They are now 2-1 against the boys and 4-1 overall!

Photo Taken: May 25, 2007

Feathered Friend

A Perch with a View

How Did I Get In Here?

Ruby and I were working in the garage yesterday. We were preparing to fertilize the lawn, when we had a visitor stop by. The garage door was up, and our feathered friend decided he would fly on in.

He hung out the window ledge long enough for Ruby to run upstairs and grab the camera. He graciously posed for a few shots, then flew on out. Ruby and I finished up and headed out to the front lawn. When we rounded the corner we were suprised to see our new friend hanging out on the wheel barrow, just a few feet away!

Photo Taken: May 25, 2007

A Reminder of Yesterday

Weathered Abode

Tygee Idaho, with Webster Ridge in the background. Webster Ridge has an awesome established trail system for quads! We 'play' there a few times each summer!

Law Enforcement Has an Eye on Howes Brothers

It now seems there was more to the trade of the Howes Brothers to the Devil Rays than first met the eye. Well informed sources tell me that local law enforcement wants to get a handle on the pair before things get out of hand.

Spencer is seen here shortly after hitting the ball. He is on his way to first. And who is it that is keeping a watchful eye on the young lad?

Its none other than the local probation and parole officer! She is in disguise as coach of the team. But my sources assure me that she indeed is acting as a coach, in an undercover role, so she can keep a watchful eye on the Howes pair!

Preston Runs for Third.

Preston's Turn at Bat!

Photos Taken: May 24, 2007

A Night at the Park

Ruby Gets a Hit!

Heading for Third!

Spencer Looking Handsome!

Preston Hanging Out!

Ruby's team, the Angels, have played boy teams their last two games. The boys have been embarrassed! The little ladies are 2-0 against the boys! Preston and Spence's game was 'snowed' out last night! What a difference a day can make. Today was beautiful! Nice and sunny most of the day. The clouds began to roll in late, but still a very nice day.

Top Photo: Taken by Angela - May 23, 2007

Other Photos: Taken by Craig - May 23, 2007

Ruby's Artwork

Rockin Ruby

Ruby's self portrait of herself. She drew these pictures in art class at school.

Tough Momma

I am going to catch some grief posting this piece of fine art! But hey if I can take her rendition of dear ol' dad, then mom ought to be able to handle her tough football appearance!

Dang!

I can understand the ear rings, the cane, and the clown shoes. What I don't get is why she would make her dear ol dad with no hair! Dang that girl! We had to laugh when she brought these home!

Finish My Own Dinner

Early Morning Doe

Weekly Habit # 4

Finish my own dinner, not everyone elses.

A theme is begining to develop here. I have a bad habit of finishing up what the kids have left on their plates. This weeks habit is to finish my own dinner then leave everyone elses alone.

The Update:

# 1 Take the Stairs Habit! I haven't taken the elevator yet!

#2 Eat My Own Lunch This one has been tougher; however this last week was better. 3 of 4 days I succeeded. This week we are going for 4 of 4.

#3 Walk to the Aspen I walked to the aspen only once; however I still consider this one a success. The idea of this habit is exercise, and this past week I have been sore! I have had more exercise than I have had in a year or better. Some of it was yard work, some was work for the Association, but I have been one busy puppy this past week, and this old body feels it!

Photo Taken: May 10, 2007

From the Back Porch

Back Porch Moon

I have posted a few pictures of the moon on here before. A couple of those were taken from my front porch as the moon would rise in the early evening. This photo is from the back porch, and being a full moon as was the front porch shots, that should tell you this picture was taken early in the morning. Angela actually WOKE ME UP to take this picture. So it deserves a spot on the blog.

Photo taken: April 05, 2007

Blast from the Past Extra!

Ghosts

Who can tell me where this picture was taken? First to answer wins! Extra points to anyone not from Nevada! And no Nevada is not an exceptable answer. You have to do better than that!

left is Ashley and Spencer, Middle is Angela and Preston, Right is Alec and Ruby!

Well we finally have a guess! Yes Nevada, but other than that, not even close! Lets give some hints. The picture was taken in the winter, so Northern Nevada is pretty much out! Also the picture was taken in a Nevada ghost town. Come on, someone ought to be able to figure it out!

Picture taken; Late 2002 or Early 2003

Update!

The big Trade has been Made!

Preston proved his worth to the new team from the start. He caught a ground ball and ran it to first for the tag out, to applause from the crowd! But then he showed what a true sportsman he is. After tagging 1st base he stood on the bag instead of returning to his position on the field. When the next batter hit the ball Preston began to run the bases for the guy he tagged out! He made the trip around to home, with mit in tow! The crowd roared as he slid in for the score!

Big Trade!

Breaking news

A big trade is in the works involving three teams from the Star Valley T-Ball league. Rumor has it that the Devil Rays have aquired Preston, from the Giants, and Spencer from the Phillies. The Devil Rays have fallen on hard times as of late, when one player moved out of the area, and another has broken his arm.

Details are sketchy, but rumor has it, that as part of the deal Mom is guaranteed to no more than two games a week, between the two, instead of the four she was facing! In return Mom will provide treats to the team twice as often as the other mothers!

Stay tuned for further details!

Play Ball!

Spencer Hangin out with the Phillies

Preston Playin with the Giants

Ruby is an 'Angel'

Baseball and Softball has started! Most of our free time will be spent at the ball park untill the end of June. Ruby plays games every Wednesday and Friday, and Preston and Spencer Play every Tuesday and Thursday. This year Preston and Spencer are on different teams! Which means 2 extra games a week. Monday will be the only night we are not 'playing ball'. Preston and Spencer are in T-Ball and Ruby is playing on in all girls softball league this year.

Photos of Spencer and Preston Taken: May 15, 2007

Photo of Ruby taken: May 16, 2007

What a Gas!

$3.10 a gallon for gas! Good gravey! Over $65 just to fill up my jeep tonight. I just got a raise at work, and its not going to be enough to pay for my commute.






And how about that "Free Gas Club"? YIPEE! If I buy 275 gallons of gas in 3 months, I get $5 off my next purchase. Isn't that exciting? Lets see here, so this is what it means; If I spend $852.23 on gas per quarter I get a whopping $5 off so that means I will only pay $3.08 per gallon! Now that is a deal!

A Walk to the Aspen

Weekly Habit # 3

Weekly habit 3 is to walk to the aspen behind our house at least 3 times a week! You can see the aspen grove in the photo to the right.



We had our first Barbaque of the year last week! During the summer we barbaque outside more than we cook inside.





The follow up:

When I started the weekly habit my brother Jared sent me an e-mail. He said "After 52 weeks of good habits you should be pretty healthy". That had to make me laugh. The goal for now is to get healthier. But in a month or two the main goal will change. It might have to do with finances, family, or a number of other such areas a guy like me needs a lot of improvement in.


Weekly Habit 1: Take the Stairs; Doing great with this one. Still have not used the elevator!

Weekly Habit 2: Eat My Own Lunch; Well not so good here. Last Tuesday I didn't take a lunch. The Safety Committee was having a barbaque. Ribeye steaks and all the fixins, including a cobbler to die for. Chef Verlen Andrews did it right! I wasn't going to count that against myself since I didn't take a lunch, but I ate way to much! And then Wednesday there was left over cobbler and ice cream. We're going down hill here aren't we. Thursday was a lunch for who knows what reason. Well there were lots of hot wings. Dang I love hot wings. Anyway by now you have the point, I failed miserably. But I haven't given up either. This week will be better. Can't get any worse.

Photos taken: May 7, 2007

The 'Dandy' Kids!

Taken a Nap

Still Snoozen

Angela gave her mother a call this morning to wish her a Happy Mothers Day. Grandpa told her he really likes the nature pictures in my blog, but he wants to see more of the kids! "He can see dandelions any old time"! So this post is for Grandpa!

And I guess I would have to agree! I like this dandelion post better also!

Photo taken: May 13, 2007

The 'Dandy' Lion King

Dandelions in bloom

I promised a post on dandelions, and here it is! As stated before, this valley is the dandelion capitol of the world. Currently all the dandelions are in bloom on slopes facing the south. In a week or two they will all go to seed, and the plants on the northern exposures will bloom. This picture is taken from my back porch. I have been spraying my lawn for dandelions the last two weekends. But I think it is a never ending battle, and I am losing the war!

Photo Taken May 12, 2007

HAPPY BIRTHDAY DAD!

Foggy River

Salt River

This picture was taken from WY highway 237 near the Auburn/Grover/Meadows Ward Chapel. This is in the Upper Valley, looking north towards the 'narrows'.

This is a much better photo expanded!

Photo Taken: May 11, 2007 am

Views where I Work

Looking South off of E Panel

South Sage, Crow Creek, and Rock Creek drainages can all be seen in this photo. Most of this photo is Idaho; however Wyoming is in the top left hand portion of this picture.

Looking West off of B Panel

The water is actually the tailings pond from the mine. It is in Sage Valley. Tygee Ridge is the small ridge behind the pond. The high Mountains in the background are the Salt River Range. Star Valley Lies between Tygee Ridge and The Salt River Range. The Idaho - Wyoming board runs fairly close to the ridge line of Tygee Ridge. Our house is just over the top of the ridge, on the Wyoming side.

Looking West off of E Panel

Sage Valley is in the forground, with Tygee Ridge in the middle and the Salt River Range in the background. This picture and the top photo where taken from the same location. The middle photo is about 3 or 4 miles to the north of this picture.

Photos Taken: May 10, 2007

Beehive Academy: Baby Antelope

I have linked to a post by Montserrat. Beehive Academy: Baby Antelope This is great stuff! I love it! Wildlife is my kind of thing. I am currently saving $4.00 a day in my jar. This is my savings toward an exceptional camera outfit! I want to be sitting on a ridge and be able to take picture of wildlife "close up" from a mile away. I haven't decided what kind to get, other that I love digital. I don't know that you could talk me into going back to a 35 milimeter camera. I have a couple, as a matter of fact. Very nice cameras, but the ease of digital, and the fact you can take several pictures and just dicard any that don't meet expections is what I like. Also with all the new photo editing programs these days, an amature like myself can take a few fairly decent pictures. It is also much easier to experiment with the digital cameras. Instant results.

I can store over 200 pictures on my camara, with my memory card, at 5.o megapixcal.

Someday I will have my dream camera. That is next on my list!

Quick, Duck!

Malards

Mother Duck and Her Ducklings

I am not sure what type of duck the mother is. If you know feel free to identify it. It is becoming obvious that I am not very good at identifying bird species!

Photos Taken: May 3, 2007

Out the Window

Sparrows?

I took this picture out of our masterbath window. These birds were all over our yard. They look like sparrows, but if you expand the picture you can see they have a bright red crown on their heads. If you can identify what they are, leave a note and let me know!

Kitchen Window

This is looking out the kitchen window. Now tell me ladies, if you had a view like this out of your kitchen window, wouldn't you want to do dishes all day long?

Photo's taken: May 07, 2007

Top photo by Craig

Bottom photo by Angela