Back to school

Well if you hadn't guessed things have been busy. Reavis started college on August 2oth and so did I. Poor John isn't going to know what to do with 2 college students. I am trying to get back into the swing of making myself study and keep up with homework. It has been a long time since I have been a student. Reavis is liking school so far and is still working on a regular basis. I am taking Math, Philosophy, and Public Speaking. Taking 9 hrs and working full time is enough for me. One of my coworkers is taking 12 hrs and working full time. I am not sure that I could do that.

Bentley and I have missed our first novice class. I am hoping that we can make it Monday but I also have to take my car to the shop and have the inspection done so I can relicense. The joys or car ownership.

The Most Awesome Vaction Ever

Well it has been way to long since I posted. The first thing I want to tell you about is the amazing vacation that I took this summer. I went with some friends to the Havasupai Indian reservation in the base of the Grand Canyon. The scenery is truly beautiful, breath taking and worth every mile I walked to get to it. We drove from Missouri to Arizona in about 3 days. We stopped to see the Oklahoma City bombing memorial, that will truly humble you. It was very worth seeing, if you have an opportunity I highly recommend it.

We stopped at the painted desert and the petrified forest along the way. It was nice to get out and walk around a bit since we had spent so many hours in the car. The painted desert was beautiful but I am told by a gal that use to live there it is more beautiful after it has just rained. The petrified forest was something to see, you wouldn't believe all those trees turned to stone, amazing.

There there was the hike. It began at the Haluapi hilltop approximatley 10 miles from the campground. It is 8 miles from the hilltop to the indian village where you have to stop and check in. We all packed our gear, food, clothing and anything else we needed in our back packs and headed down the trail. The first 2 miles were downhill switchbacks, then 6 miles of river bed rocks and red sandy dirt. We made it to the village just when we were beginning to wonder if we would ever make it to the campground. There is a little restraunt in the village that we stopped and had a rootbeer before continuing on to the campground. Those last 2 miles were a killer, every muscle in my body hurt and my knees were screaming that they had enough. Just when I wasn't sure if I could make my feet move one in front of the other we saw the first waterfall. Oh yeah I can make it, this place is amazing. I think this trip we all found out what we were made of, it took us about 4.5 to 5 hrs to make it from the hilltop to the campground. The first thing we did was take a nap, and we deserved it. We stayed 3 nights here and are hoping to repeat this trip in a few years.

Here is the link to a slideshow of just some of the photos from the hiking trip.

http://s124.photobucket.com/albums/p...t=b140abbe.pbw

Proud of my Graduate

Reavis graduated high school on May 17, 2009!! I can't believe how fast the time has flown by. When John and I started dating Reavis was only 9 years old....by this fall he will be in college. Where does the time go? Reavis is growing into a fine young man and I am sure that will only continue. He participated in the A+ program and will be attending OTC this fall. For those of you who aren't familiar with A+ it means that his schooling at OTC is paid for and there will be no need for student loans. We will need to pay for his books.

He had his brother Nathan take his senior pictures. I am having a hard time picking the photos I would like to have, Nathan did a great job. I can't wait to look at them with John and decide which ones we would like to order.

Some of the boys, just because

Bentley and Chester playing. Chester wearing the doggles. Poor Brady scratched his eye but it is better now.

Bradley wanting someone to throw that ball

Bentley letting it all hang out. I just love that face.

St. Louis Cardinal Game on April 25th...what a blast

Pujols hit a grand slam to get his 1000th RBI and I got to be there to see it.

<-Yes we were this close to the field. Let me tell you it was awesome.

Thanks Jessica. I am so glad you asked us to go, we had a great time. This was by far one of the best games I have ever gotten to see. I had never been to a Cardinals vs. Cubs game before. I had a great time and would definitely go again. It was a great time. John loved every minute of it.

First Backpacking trip

Thanks Mel, I had an awesome time. I went on my first backpacking trip ever. It wasn't a big hike but I had a great time. Mellisa, Ace (German shepherd), myself and Gambler (dalmatian) went to Hercules Glades. It was a 2.5 miles in to the falls and all up hill on the hike out. The waterfall was pretty. There were a lot of hikers out that weekend. We picked a place off the trail to camp for a little more serenity. We had lunch at the water's edge. I just had some jerky and trail mix. I wasn't to hungry. We collected wood and made a fire ring so we could have a camp fire and for dinner we made chicken and dumplings...it turned out good.

We decided that when we woke up in the morning we were going to hike to the falls and enjoy it when there was no one around. We had a couple of cups of hot tea and watched the sun finish coming up. I could have sat there for hours just listening to the water run over the rocks. We cooked breakfast while we were there, mmmm cheese quesadillas. I took several photos of the area, the camp site, and the boys. I sure wished we could have sat there longer but we planned on being back to the car no later than 2pm and it was going on 1030 and time to break camp for the hike back out.

This was Gam's first time hiking and camping. He did really good wearing the back pack that carried his supplies. I was so proud of him. He got in the water a little but it was a bit cool for him. Ace on the other hand went for a swim. Gambler and Ace played a lot, what a relief that they go along so well. I swear the pack got heavier after the hike in, I know it didn't but it seemed like it. I did have to take the pack off once on the way out. I thought a did pretty well considering I have a desk job and I am not use to hiking a lot. I am trying to build up to my planned trip into the Grand Canyon this year. We will see how it goes but I am looking forward to the next hike.

Catching up

Seems like things just pile on and you don't ever feel like you get caught up. I need to make a list of all the things to do at the house. You know I have had a few days off and I don't think I got much accomplished. I hate house work. I need to do some major spring cleaning. I am not going to put it off any longer. I am going to make my list tonight and see if I can't get it all accomplished by Monday night.

I had totally forgot that fun and games class starts on Sunday so I need to get my treats all ready to go and the rest of my equipment that I will need. This class has always been a great class. I took Brady and Bradley both to this when they were young and now it is Bentley's turn. I can't wait. We are going to be doing so recall work and Bentley and I can use some help in that department for sure. It is going to be a big challenge for Bentley because two of his play buddies are going to be in this class. I love a challenge!!

Bentley and are going to be taking a rally class on Monday too. I am excited about it. I am hoping since he has matured a little more and it isn't in the agility field that we will both do a lot better. I am planning on maybe getting to show him in Rally sometime this year.