They make me feel special...

I was working after school today when three of my 8th grade girls came in with a surprise!! How sweet!! They each picked out a flower just for me "just because". They know Steve left and don't want me to be sad they said and that they just wanted to make me smile. Well... they sure got a BIG smile. I love my kids!!!

They also had a small blown up green dinosaur baloon that you can add to the vase with flowers also, but it is at school because it didn't need water. We made up a name for him and they wanted him to be the class mascot. It is funny because each one of my classes has their own class mascot. Throughout the year they find things or bring little things to class and it has become their class mascot. Too funny! I should take a picture of all the mascots lined up together sometime:)

And Steve is off...

Steve left for Rock Springs today. Good luck baby... you will do great!! Love you!!

Friday was Steve's last day of work here... Monday he's a firefighter...He'll be back in a week. I love my Firefighter!!! I'll hold the fort down here until you return :) Luckily we only have to do this until June :)

The Fantastic 5...

On Saturday, we went to Worland to see a play. All 5 of my sister Toni's kids were in the play together. They had been practicing for a year now. It was a play/musical. Nicole and Chance both had a solo. They all did GREAT!! It was such a funny play!! I laughed so hard the whole time. Small town productions are a hoot!!!! Nicole was a teacher in the play, Chance was a low- pants- rider -gangster- thug, and the other three were students. There were about 25-30 kids in the play with ages ranging from 5th grade 11th grade or so. You guys were awesome!!

All the kids in their costumes... Nicole is my oldest niece and grandkid on my side of the family. She is a beautiful 17 year old... I can't believe she is that old!!!! She is getting ready to go to Prom. I will be going back to visit so I can see her in their grand march!! Can't wait!

Chance showing off his totally awesome belt buckle :) He had a huge bling-bling watch and chain around his neck on in the play too, but it didn't end up in the picture :( Too funny Chance!!

Big News...

Steve was offered a job with the Rock Springs Fire Department and we decided to accept. It was after a lot of time and thought, but we are both excited. Steve applied about a year ago and they had someone retire and Steve was at the top of their hiring list. The phone call was out of the blue and our life has seemed to take a 180 degree turn~~He was really hesitant to accept the job because he knows how much I LOVE Lander and my job, but there is another road we need to take now... I guess our work here is done :) I am applying for jobs there and very hopeful they will want me to teach in their school district... Just sent the application there yesterday!!!

Steve will be moving and starting to work at the Fire Department by March 30th... I will be finishing my school year here in Lander and moving when I am done. We will be living apart for a time... and paying two rents:( :( :( ... I will see how that goes, but the opportunity is exciting. I love that Steve is going to be able to do his passion every day at work.

When we moved here I thought it was a permanent location for a while, but it sure has changed...off to Rock Springs, WY... where the wind blows: P... By our 4th wedding anniversary we will have lived in 5 towns in Wyoming within those 4 years...

I will miss my kids and our wonderful friends... and of course the pretty little town and fun stuff to do outdoors that is soooo close. When I leave a piece of my heart will stay, but I guess that is good because I tried to make a difference in these kids lives. There was a reason we were here!!!

Photo Tag...

I have seen this on a couple people's blogs...I think it's funny to see what you end up with!

How to play: Go to your sixth folder and post your sixth picture in that folder!

This is me and my beautiful niece Cloe... we just woke up... can you tell :) !!?? We are camping in the Big Horn Mountains out of Greybull, WY for our annual Casey's camping trip. Steve and I can't ever wait until we get to go camping every summer... we love it!! We love Cloe TOO... she is so loving of all those around her. She LOVES dogs and her sister Dakota. She is always smiling and laughing and will play anything that looks fun:) I love her cute little run and her scrunch face... :)

I tag anyone who wants to do this:) It is a FUN one!

Flat Stanley...

We had a visit from my parents and brother Mike!! We also had a visit from Flat Stanley this weekend. My nephew Alec is in 1st grade and they read a book about Flat Stanley in their class. The book is about a boy in the first grade whose bulletin board flattened him one night in his bedroom. At first he is sad, but then he finds all sorts of things that he is able to do when he is flat. One thing he can do is fold himself up in an envelope and mail himself to visit his family and friends in far away places. Alec sent Flat Stanley to me to learn about different landmarks, places, and people. He lives in New Hampshire so I was sure to send him information about the good ole Wyoming:) Here is some of the pics I will be sending him... we had a fun time with Flat Stanley... he can come back any time Alec!!

The first night Stanley stayed with us we made sure he played rock band!!

The next day we took Stanley up Sinks Canyon to feed all the HUGE fish!! He loved it! Sinks Canyon got its name because the river all of a sudden disappears and goes under the mountain. The river comes back out of the mountain a few miles down and there are huge fish at the opening. Here is where the river goes under the mountain...

We also let him do a little rock climbing of course!!! He found he could slide down really big rocks!

Here is Stanley feeding the fish where the river comes back out of the mountain...

They were really hungry!!

We also took him to our favorite swinging bridge to run across...


Outside of Lander, Wyoming, on the Wind Rivers Indian Reservation there is the grave of Sacajawea in the Sacajawea Cemetery. We also took Stanley here to learn some history...

Sacajawea’s sons were also buried on either side of her in the cemetery.

Sacajawea was a well known Indian woman who lead Lewis and Clark on their famous expedition to find the Pacific Ocean. She was used to help communicate with other Indian Tribes.

We had a lot of fun with Flat Stanley, Alec!! We will be sending him back to you with all the pictures and some fun souvenirs. We love you and hope you have fun sharing Stanley's trip with your class :)