Bowlin Beige

[Note to my readers: this is a pretty long post. There were just too many great pictures and stories to share! I hope you will be able to tell what an exciting trip this was!] When my dad offered to take Eric and I on an elk hunt, I don't think we knew exactly what we were in for. We expected the early mornings, lots of walking, and seeing some new wildlife. What we didn't expect was the amazing scenery, the almost-vertical hikes, and the hundreds of elk we would see every single day. Here's a recap of our incredible week in Utah, which ended with two handsome bull elk that will adorn the walls of our home! My dad had been on two previous elk hunts, and had been to Deseret Ranch twice before for elk and mule deer. He wanted to take Eric and I on an elk hunt, and he was going to come along as a companion, but not do any hunting himself. We have known about this trip for about a year but the planning really started this summer. Our normal hunting in Pennsylvania results...

Every year the kindergarten classes get to pick out a class pet. They spend several weeks keeping a chore chart and helping out so they can earn money to help with the purchase. Last week they had a special field trip (on a bus!) to the pet store to pick out their new pal. They got a hamster and named it Oreo because, well, she looks like an oreo cookie to a bunch of five-year-olds.  Oh - and here is Ainsley with her Senior buddy, Emily. They pair up the seniors and kindergarteners each year (the incoming and outgoing classes). They get to do activities with their buddy throughout the year. This was taken at Convocation, when they get to walk in together and sit in the front. Each Thursday the 4th graders come in to read to her class. It gives the older kids a chance to practice reading aloud. Here is Ainsley with her 4th grade reading buddy.  Here she is working hard on her letters! Time for a field trip! Here is the whole kindergarten - all three classes. ...

Although we had a smaller crowd this year - several friends couldn't make it - we still had a great Labor Day weekend at my parent's lake house in Pennsylvania. We drove up late Thursday night so we had Friday to prepare for our upcoming elk hunt in Utah. It was nice to have a day with my folks before we kicked them out of their house for the weekend!  As usual, the weekend was filled with swimming, fishing,  ATVing, walks in the woods, and playing games. With only four kids, instead of the normal eight, it actually seemed a little too  quiet! But they all had a great time defending their castle in the secret forest, looking for newts, and roasting marshmallows.  Another fun weekend with friends!  Enjoying a little milkshake on the way to the lake. Worn out after a full week of kindergarten! A happy girl! A beautiful day at the lake. Big kids enjoy some fishing! ...while others take a nap! A little science experiment with Nan...