Cheyenne to Great Falls

June 11/12th

One of the things that both Michael and I commented on several times is how green Cheyenne and most of Wyoming is this year.  When we lived there, we pretty much saw only two colors - brown or white.  I think there may have been green for about two weeks during the entire time we lived there.

I mentioned the R&B Breakfast Club in my last post.  If you ever happen to be driving through Cheyenne at breakfast time (or even almost lunchtime) we would wholeheartedly recommend you stop in for a breakfast burrito served with a side of Elvis.  And pick the red chili... it is milder!

Our second morning, we were trying to get on the road a bit earlier so we skipped a second visit to R&B Breakfast Club.  I can't say I'm totally disappointed about not getting in another visit.  I think I was still full from breakfast the day before.

As we drove out of Cheyenne, the girls pointed out every antelope and snow fence they saw.  They found it very interesting to see the antelope as they wandered freely around the base.

The scenery from Cheyenne to Great Falls was simply incredible.  When we lived in Wyoming before, I didn't get out of town too much.  When I did, it was usually to head toward Denver or Ft. Collins, Colorado.  Michael and I agreed that if you simply sang the first verse of America the Beautiful, it might come close to what we saw.

I took quite a few pictures of the landscape along the way.  Looking back over them, I realized that the majority of them do not show the majesty of what I was trying to capture.  As well, being shot from a moving vehicle with a cell phone camera, the majority are also of questionable quality.

Getting into Great Falls was a bit of a challenge as I went to refresh the directions on our cell phone's GPS only to discover that we had no cell service.  I knew the road we were on would eventually lead us to an interstate that goes to Great Falls.  We were thankful that we passed through a small town with cell service just in time to turn on a road that cut almost 4 hours off of the trip had we ended up going directly to the interstate.

Once we checked into the Temporary Lodging Facility on the Air Force base there, we all agreed that next time we'd take an extra day in Great Falls rather than in Cheyenne.  Most times, the Air Force bases have very nice lodging facilities.  Cheyenne, being an old Cavalry base, has their temporary lodging in historic buildings.

Up next: Great Falls, Montana to the Canadian border to Edmonton, Alberta, Canada

Amarillo to Cheyenne

June 10/11th

After a later than desired arrival in Amarillo, we also had a later than desired start leaving Amarillo.  It was a fairly uneventful beginning until we came to a stretch of highway designated as a "safety corridor."  Neither Michael nor I could figure out why until quite suddenly we were surprised to see a very large B-52 flying very low over the roadway.  I fumbled with my phone to pull up the camera and managed to get a not-so-good photo of the plane. The girls were excited and a bit scared by the plane as well.  Michael and I both commented on the fact that we could barely hear the plane as it flew overhead.

Only picture I managed to get of the plane

We had originally talked with Sarah about meeting her in New Mexico and while I am sad we didn't get to see her before we headed north, I am glad we cancelled.  We did not cross into NM until almost 11am local time on the 10th.  We had planned to meet on the 9th.  I am looking forward to finding out her schedule for next year so we can send her a plane ticket to visit us up here.

Colorado was absolutely beautiful.  The girls asked about the mountains they saw and they enjoyed the changing scenery.

It was in Colorado that we ran into our next challenge.  Michael called to pay for our ferry reservations.  The military has a fairly straightforward way of writing orders for PCS (Permanent Change of Station) moves.  However, since we were going to Alaska, there were some extra items that were not written into Michael's orders that the travel company needed in order to process the payment.  We attempted to sort that out while our cell phone reception dropped in and out due to the increasingly hilly terrain.

We finally arrived in Cheyenne around 8pm the evening of the 10th without any resolution to the ferry/ orders issue.  We checked into our room and took the girls on a brief tour of the town.  Princess N was excited to see our old houses and the other girls asked lots of questions about what we did when we lived there.  There wasn't too much that had changed though there were certainly areas that had built up in the decade since we were last there.

Michael and I decided that with a very long day of driving ahead of us, we would take a one day break.  Besides, we wanted to eat at our favorite breakfast spot before we left.  We actually planned this section of our trip around this particular restaurant.  The R&B Breakfast Club has been around since 1997.  Their burritos were still as good as we remembered.  And the pancakes were just as big as before!  If you are on Facebook, Michael posted a photo of the burrito.

Later in the day we went to the park that was down the street from our first house in Cheyenne.  Michael and Princess N went running while the rest of the girls and I walked around the lake.  It was just over a mile.  Lady A and Miss E were both surprised that 11 years ago I wasn't able to walk that far without being in a lot of pain.  This time I was a bit winded, but otherwise it was an easy walk.

The lake

The Duchess enjoyed swinging

Michael and I had a lot of hard times in Cheyenne.  Neither of us have too many fond memories of our time there.  Being there still dredged up some hard memories, but overall we were able to remember more of the good times than the bad times.

Up next: Cheyenne, Wyoming to Great Falls, Montana

Houston to Grand Prairie (no extra 'e' on Grand) to Amarillo

June 8/9th

The Houston to Grand Prairie segment of the trip was mostly uneventful.  Michael traded his motorcycle for a truck (much more useful up here) and the shipping office was located in Grand Prairie, Texas.  We laughed because they most likely would be sending the truck back down to Houston before it headed to Alaska.  There was a bit of confusion beforehand because we visited the office that handles the household goods shipments at the end of April.  We were instructed where to go to ship the truck.  When I called a few weeks later to make sure I had all the necessary paperwork, I learned the contract had been awarded to another company, effective May 1st.  Then it was a bit of a scramble to figure out who the new company was and where they were located. 

Monday morning, June 9th, we washed the truck, in the rain, and dropped it off.  While Michael was handling all the paperwork for that, I stepped outside for a moment.  As I walked down the steps I suddenly realized that I was falling.  Unfortunately that realization came just as I hit the ground.  I am thankful that my wrist had been hurting from the packing and cleaning we did just before we left.  The wrist brace I was wearing took the brunt of the fall.  My left ankle was hurting and I wasn't sure if I could stand up.  I texted Michael and he came to the rescue.  Before he could get to me, two employees came out and helped me up.  It turned out that I had not sprained my ankle as I had originally thought, but I had scraped it up pretty badly.  

Once the truck was sorted out, we decided that it would be best to pick up another copy of the registration receipt in the event we needed it for border crossings.  We still don't know if the sticker on the window is the official registration or if the receipt is the official registration since commercial vehicles are the only vehicles required to keep the receipt in the vehicle.  Either way, we thought it would be a good idea to have a copy.  After waiting in the courthouse parking lot for over two hours, I was beginning to rethink our decision to pick up a copy.  Michael had gone inside and when he first picked up a number, his was in the 500s.  They were still working through the 300s at the time.  As people left, he noticed someone throw their number to the side and walk out.  He picked it up and moved up almost 70 places in line.  It took about two minutes and $2 at the window and he walked out with a copy of the receipt.

Finally, around 2pm we were on the road.  Until we got into Wichita Falls, Texas.... Michael noticed that he had been passing quite a few cars and asked me if I'd noticed a speed limit drop.  I told him I had not.  Just about that time, Michael noticed a police officer on a motorcycle turn his lights on and pull in behind us.  Apparently we'd missed several speed limit signs while we tried to figure out which road we needed to be on.  After being issued a ticket for speeding, we were on our way again. 

And that was only the beginning of the trip.

The rest of the day into Amarillo was uneventful.  Lady A became the official Speed Limit Checker and called out speed limits as we drove. She even had a whole list of items to check off.

It went like this:
Speed Limit Checker? Check.
Parents? Check.
Sisters? Check.
Truck? Check.
Everything we need in the truck? Check.

The list varied once in a while, but this was her usual list. Lady A enjoyed having a job to do and she did it with great enthusiasm.  

Up next: Amarillo, Texas to Cheyenne, Wyoming

Year in Review - Mid Year Edition

January:

• January saw the beginning of the craziness.  We knew we were moving.  We just didn't know where.  The countdown was on and we had about six months to finish everything we needed to finish before Moving Day.  Michael also started an intense travel schedule again in January.  I had only one class for the Spring semester and absolutely no motivation to work on it.

February/ March:

• While Michael was traveling, we received word that our orders had come in.  He had been interviewed by a unit in Florida and it looked as though that would be where we would be heading.  Instead, we ended up going in the opposite direction! Alaska would be our new home for a few years at least. The Overseas Screening was supposed to be completed within ten (10) days of the receipt of orders.  Michael arrived back home ten days after he received the orders so we tried to finish the screening as quickly as we could.  A round of doctor appointments and dentist visits later and we handed everything in.  We were then told that the paperwork was incomplete as it needed signatures on another form in the packet.  I went back to the doctors and the dentist for signatures.  As my doctor was only part time, it ended up being a week before we were able to send the packet back in.  Again we were told it was missing a signature.  (and we were told the forms were self-explanatory - I disagree) Since it was again my doctor who needed to sign, it took almost another week to return the forms.  By this time we were into the middle of March.  

April:

• By the time April rolled around, we were beginning to get concerned about whether or not we were approved to move to Alaska.  We discovered the official approval came on March 29th.  We were going to Alaska!  Almost immediately I began to wonder if we made a mistake or if this was truly where God wanted us.  After all, we'd hit nothing but roadblocks up until this point.  At the end of the month, we began the process of setting up our household goods shipment. 

May:

• I finally finished my class.  It took a lot of work but it was mostly because I was so focused on trying to sort out all the details for the move that I didn't want to waste time on classwork.  I still passed with an 'A', but just barely.
• We took a short trip to Florida to visit family before we moved to Alaska.  It was a sweet time and we really enjoyed being able to see not only Michael's family, but part of my family as well.  We may not be officially related to the McQuearys, but they are officially part of our family. The girls had a great time playing with their cousins and all of us enjoyed celebrating lots of birthdays. 

June:

• June is where things really got interesting.  The girls finished their last week of school while the movers packed and loaded our belongings.  On June 8, we headed out of the Houston area.  I'll be writing more detailed posts about our trip.  Stay tuned for some beautiful scenery!!

Done

After a very long and challenging semester, at the end of which contained two very difficult final exams, I am done.

I am glad to be finished and I have learned that even though I was only taking 7 credit hours, three classes was a bit much for both me and my family.  When I started the semester, Duchess L was sleeping through the night.  By the time I finished she was waking up two to three times between midnight and 6 am again.

I have to say that I am very thankful for an understanding professor for my computer class though.  The college switched to a new company to conduct their online computer classes this semester.  There were so many issues with figuring out the new software that my professor wasn't concerned with due dates. By the end, when I emailed to ask about the assignments for a particular section and the final exam, his response was to "not worry about [them]."  I did call to confirm that he was not including those sections in our grades and he said that he was grading on work completed and again told me I did not need to be concerned about those assignments.  That was a weight off my shoulders but I didn't stop stressing until I saw my grade posted last night.

I have maintained my 4.0GPA and I am in the process of figuring out classes for next semester.

Overheard

I made Princess N's lunch this morning. The past two mornings, she has been up early for basketball tryouts. I put in an extra sandwich on those days so she could eat a small breakfast before the tryouts and then have something closer to the beginning of the school day.

This morning, as we got into the truck, Princess N peeked in her lunch box.

She said, "Yay! Two sandwiches! Oh wait... Never mind." Her disappointment  was clear. As I got out of the backseat after putting Duchess L in her car seat, Princess N added, "Thank you anyway."

It may not be the most enthusiastic thank you I have ever received, but it was sweet that she still said thanks, even though she was quite disappointed.

Overheard

After Miss E fell for the third time in about 5 minutes, we had the following conversation.

Me: Are you having trouble staying on your feet?

Miss E: No. I'm having trouble running on them!

It is perfectly logical. If you are running and then fall, surely the problem is in running on your feet.

Birthday!

Lady A turned 9 today.  We had a great time celebrating her and being able to give her a very special surprise.

Michael and I have been plotting for a couple of months now about Lady A's birthday.  The gift I planned to get her for Christmas, he planned to get for her birthday.  Since they are so close and since the weather has been beautiful, we went ahead with his plan.

The actual purchase was supposed to happen yesterday, but a series of events derailed the plan.  This morning, Michael had plans to meet with a friend of ours and so we decided he would make the purchase on his way home.  While he was gone, I decided it would be great if we could give it to her right away, so I took some note cards and the scavenger hunt was created.  

Michael called to let me know he was heading home and we discussed the plan for when he arrived.  I asked Lady A to help me with sorting laundry in my bedroom.  She didn't know that I was hiding the clues to her gift.

After Michael came in, he gave her the first clue.  She was able to read, or sound out, most of the words.  We had to help her a bit, but once she understood, Lady A was off!

Reading the clues

She eventually made her way out to the driveway where the truck and motorcycle were parked.  

 Lady A searched the motorcycle first.  She thought she was getting a motorcycle ride.  I reminded her what the clue said, so she wandered around the truck for a minute.  Finally, I told her the last part again and instead of going to the back like I expected, she opened the side door.  I tried to get a picture of her face when she saw her gift, but it was a bit difficult.

Think she is excited??

She rode for most of the early afternoon before I took her on a shopping trip.  She found a pretty pink skirt, a headband, and a scarf that she liked.  The shirt she liked didn't fit well so we will be trying another store to see if they have one that fits better.  

After the shopping trip, we finished the cupcakes.  They were made to some demanding specifications. Well, maybe not too demanding, but the day was filled with lots of rainbows.

Rainbow cupcakes with rainbow sprinkles added to the colored batter with rainbow swirled icing on top

I think it was a good day.  I know I enjoyed it quite a bit.  Michael asked Lady A several times if she thought we needed to return the bicycle.  Lady A insisted that she would keep it.  It brought a huge smile to her face and had the rest of us laughing and smiling at the pleasure she took from riding up and down the street.

5 months

How on earth is it possible that our sweet little baby is now a chubby, though not according to Aunt Laura's definition of chubby, baby?

We are so blessed to have Duchess L as a part of our family.  Her big sisters adore her and Michael and I enjoy seeing all four of them interact.  A few nights ago, Duchess L looked over at Lady A and just broke out in giggles.  I hope this keeps up!

New pictures to come soon!

Overheard

Miss E: My bones are pushing on my brains!

It took a bit for Lady A and I to figure out what she was saying.  Lady A had been telling me about how she scraped her knee on something and that the bandaid hurt when she bent her knee.  All of us got a laugh out of Miss E's bones pushing on her brains.  Because, you know, she has more than one brain!

All the girls (but mostly the Duchess)

She still fits... mostly

Practicing standing with lots of help from Daddy

Playing outside

Helping big sister with her homework

Lounging around

Naptime.  Homework is exhausting.

At the park. I love their expressions because they didn't pose for the camera.

Our sweet Baby Red as a friend likes to call her.  

Overheard

Miss E: "Mommy. I'm unhappy."

Me: "Why are you unhappy?"

Miss E: " Duchess L is crying that she wants to be in the kitchen."

It's Raining Squirrels: Part 2

I don't know if you remember the Great Squirrel Invasion of 2011.  To briefly recap, Princess N came running inside to inform us that a mouse fell out of the tree in our front yard.  She had been outside doing her homework when it nearly landed on her.  A couple of days later, I spotted an unfamiliar cat wandering our yard, stalking something.  I went outside and saw it dip its head into the grass and run off with something in its mouth.  I noticed a baby squirrel in the grass and assumed that the cat had run off with a second baby squirrel.  I chased the cat but it got away.  The two squirrels we did rescue took a trip to a wildlife rescue center on the other side of town.  (two separate trips) 

And that brings us to this afternoon.  Princess N was outside working on homework while Lady A and Miss E were next door playing with our neighbor.  Princess N stood up to keep an eye on the younger girls and saw something fall out of the tree.  You guessed it... another squirrel!  Princess N ran inside to tell me while the boy from down the street ran to tell the other girls.  Then the adults had to come take a peek as well.  I kept telling everyone to back off and leave it alone so the mama squirrel could come take her little one back to the nest.  She came down briefly, but the children were loud and close.  After about an hour, almost all of the children had left and the adults had returned to their respective homes.  The boy from down the street came and knocked on the door to let us know that his sister had picked up the squirrel when it began crying.  The mama squirrel quickly returned and with the crowds dispersed, she was able to return her little one to the nest.

I, of course, did what I do best in a situation like this...  I grabbed my camera and took a couple of quick snapshots.

Baby squirrel right after he landed on the ground

Mama squirrel on the left, baby on the right and slightly out of focus

Blending in

Beginning to move (almost 45 minutes later)

Catching his breath

Camouflage

Trying to climb the tree

Nifty little app and website

One early morning, while feeding Duchess L and looking up something else on my phone, I stumbled across this neat app called Instructables.  They also have a website which is just as fun.

On this app, people post (occasionally) complete "How To's."  They include things like "How to maintain your lawnmower" and "How to easily use key rings."  The app has several categories including food... which is quickly becoming my favorite for new desserts to try for our Bible study group.

I have tried the Independence Day Surprise Cake, known here as the "Captain America" cake.  I made a few slight decor changes to these Rainbow Cupcakes for Miss E's birthday.  I made Slider Cakes for our group last week and this week I am trying the Summertime Cheesecake.

Here are a few pictures for you to drool over enjoy!

Slider Cakes

Rainbow Cupcakes (ready to bake)

Rainbow Cupcakes (finished - on left) and "Captain America Cake" (on right)

Warrior Challenge

Princess N is involved in a class at her school called Leadership Development Corps.  On Saturday, she participated in what they call the Warrior Challenge.  It is consisted of a 1/4 mile run, a hill climb, hurdles, a rope crawl, a tire flip, box jumps, sit ups and pushups, carrying weights, and a final run to the finish.

Michael had agreed to participate with Princess N but Lady A really want to join in too.  We got them all signed in and in line to wait their turn to start.  They went in groups of four, starting with the run.

Michael gave them two rules.  Don't walk and don't give up.

Lady A took that to heart.

She started out with the rest of them, but soon was in the lead.  

 She waved briefly for the camera, but quickly turned her attention back to the task at hand.

Princess N was a little more relaxed about the run.

She smiled and waved until I reminded her to pay attention to where she was going.

She put her head down and focused on her running.

 I'm not sure if you can see, but in the photo below, Lady A is exiting the photo while Princess N is just barely coming into the right-hand side. (You can click the photo to make it larger)

At this point, I would guess that Lady A had a 20-25 yard lead on Michael and about a 30-35 yard lead on Princess N.

Then came the hill climb.  Lady A just didn't stop!

I wanted to get a photo of Princess N as well but Miss E decided to walk away from the long jump pit with another child's toy.  Plus, I wanted her to move quickly so she decided to walk slower.

 Both of the girls thought tire flipping was fun.

Of course, Michael thought it was easy.

 I am glad our girls are enjoying being active.

It was so much fun to watch them.

Then came the box jumps, sit ups, and pushups.  Each of the girls was determined to complete the challenges.

Princess N actually had fairly good form for her pushups.  I believe they had to do 10 sit ups and 10 pushups.

Lady A struggled through hers, but she made it!

Princess N was getting tired, but she ran while carrying two 10 pound weights around a cone and back to the start.  I'd guess it was about 20 yards total distance.

Lady A was carrying 15 pounds.  She was NOT going to give up! I love the determined look on her face.

Finally finished!  Princess N was exhausted and it shows!

Lady A was ready to go through it again. She made all of us laugh with her loud proclamation that she "wanted to do that workout EVERYDAY!"

All three of my "Warriors" and the three of them with a little girl who wanted to be in every photo. (If you look closely, you can see the corner of the hat Miss E is wearing in the bottom left corner of the first photo here)