where's bridger

You probably think I am kidding. But, I published this and then clicked on the photo. It enlarged enough you could make out the kids. Bridger is in the middle photo. He is wearing a penguins hockey jersey, but you can't tell it's the penguins or probably even a hockey jersey. We just know what he is wearing. I think I even found Sammy.

This is from his yearbook. He was excited that he was in a separate picture all by himself of kid's activities.

Answers to the last blog. The movie is "Cutting Edge". The picture is from our old backyard on Lennox.

"Th-Th-Th-Th-at's all Folks!"


OK-not quite done. I forgot I was going to ask you scavenger hunters to look for a pogo stick. Judi-does the second hand/thrift store have a pogo stick? Or my wonderful parents in windy ND-could you check the Kmart there, please. The Kmart here has one, but it's PINK!!!! That will not work. Even if you found one there, it could come out in June when Grammy makes a visit. Darin and I have both looked at very store in Casper. ONE PINK ONE-what is up with that!!!! We have watched the Kmart for a month. A pogo stick is all Bridger is asking for his birthday.

Allowance update.....I broke down and let him have the change in his cow bank. I will not let him have his bday money in his wallet. He is now up to $63 in about month's time. Not bad, huh? Anyway, we discovered we could get a used DS Lite for around $90. We offered to cover the rest, but he would have to work it off still and he couldn't actually have it until he paid the rest off. He didn't want to do it until he had it all himself. I don't think the idea of if being here and not getting to use it appealled to him either. He came home after school and went right to "shovel". I told him what a great job! He is getting this and it is wonderful to see his mind working through it.

tiny bridger

Here is the photo Judi asked about the other day. This was taken shortly after B's bday in probably 2005? I didn't look at the file folder it was in. He got his great yard tools for a bday present that year from a very DEAR uncle. You know who you are. Isn't Bridger tiny!

I bought him new shoes yesterday. Size 3 and 3.5. On our way to daycare he was complaining that his feet hurt. I turned around, not very happily, and we went back home to get shoes traded. I looked and the shoe size he had on was a size 1. OK-I am sure they were tight, but he got them on for goodness sakes!

I am working the 10 hour shifts this week to get Friday off. Not an easy 2 hours last night. I felt like in those 2 hours I generated more charts on my desk than I had previously all day. Darin and Bridgr fend fairly well for themselves. I did notice that broccoli was eaten last night. Yeah!!!

Not much else for news.

See if Roger can find this quote. "I do two things really well and skating is the other one".

(Yes, it is from a skating movie.)

tubbin', golfing, bathrobin'

Today's forecast was miserable looking. Darin told me this morning we were supposed to be in a winter storm warning until 3pm. Two of these pictures are from today and one from last night. Can you tell which one was from last night?

I have no idea what the bathrobe was for outside standing in the rain with an umbrella. It just seemed like something that should be photographed. Bridger was running around trying to let the wind catch the umbrella. Oh to be 6 again. (not really)

I attended an outdoor wedding today of a patient. It was just beautiful this afternoon. The wedding was at mtn home. I was worried there would still be snow in the yard. There wasn't and the ground was actually dry. While I was gone Bridger and Darin got out the driving net. Darin finally got to see what I had been yammering about how good Bridger was hitting the ball. After last weekend's driving range visit I decided his clubs were too short for him. He was all hunched over to use the iron. I picked up another set that were longer. If he can manage to grow at a reasonable rate we might get two years out of them. He has grown so fast this last 6months to a year. We went through his sandals this weekend and he will need new ones for summer. We joke about how soon Bridger and I will be able to wear the same shoe size. I can wear a child's 5 or 6 and Bridger is in 3's.

I am so excited about his golfing that I plan to sign him up for a Jr Golf at one of the country clubs. I have to ask a patient to sponsor him. There is a parent-child golf scramble the weekend of the marathon. Then his lessons are on Tuesday AM. I even traded with someone at work to have Tuesday AM off instead of Tuesday PM over the summer. I will try to contain my enthusiasm.

Bridger is having a sleep over with his friend Matthew. Matthew was pretty excited to "tub". When I get done here I get to go order pizza.

Darin hopes to get out to the boat club tomorrow and work on the boat lift. We tried getting 2 X 12's today, but Menard's didn't have 12 foot lengths. We will hit some more lumber places tomorrow. Bridger has a bday party tomorrow for his friend Ian from hockey. They are having an ice skating party.

Darin's quote is, "Mrs. Robinson are trying to seduce me?" He's watching it right now.

Pushup Bra?

The first pictue is when we adopted Shasta. He sure has grown, but not calmed down. He sleeps with Bridger every night now. He and Bridger rough house pretty good at times.

I got measured for new bunker gear today and thought of the second picture. It is one of my favorite fire pictures. It is from Washington. Ginni made the USA flag bibs that Bridger is wearing.

When we got done rock climbing on Monday, I was putting the ropes and gear in the truck and Bridger was taking off his harness. As casual as can be he asked, "Dad, what's a pushup bra?" I said, "WHAT?!?" He said, "what's a pushup bra?" I said ask your teacher tomorrow. Ha, just kidding. I asked were he had heard that term and he quoted some movie, great. I was going to tell him it is what women wear when then do pushups but opted for the truth instead. After delicately defining the product he quickly put his hands on his chest, pushed up and said, "like this!" Yes, son.

Spring is over for a while and the winds are terrible, but, "we got each other and that's a lot."

"You have failed no one Grasshopper, only your own ambition"

standing on the dock of the bay

Darin also had this picture from yesterday from fishing off the boat docks. Bridger was pretty excited about seeing Carp and wanting to catch them. You can imagine how excited Darin was-Carp.




Spearfish, ages ago.....

I have confirmed the sleeping picture is exactly that-a sleeping picture. Yes, Rocky II for the movie quote.

Not much of any update today. Bridger had a good day at school. I dropped off a book to replace one of 3 missing books. I just can't imagine losing school library books, especially some book called, "Captain Underpants". I am disputing one of the books being un-returned. Will see how far I get. Just have to find another Captain Underpants book that has to do a "bionic booger". There is a whole series of Captain Underpants books. The other book "lost" is about a boy and his dog, Henry and Mudge. I am positive that one went back.

I ran around after picking up Bridger from school. He wanted to stay home with Darin. I was able to find out about having his bday party at the movie theatre. He has asked to have a movie party. I am picking the weekend Shrek 4 comes out (May22nd). I actually called 2 other moms whose children have May bdays close to Bridger and asked if they had planned their childs. Yes, I am something else. Anyway, Bridger's bday party will be May 23rd if everything works out. We will be heading to the Black Hills for his actual bday. Melines' asked if we wanted to do something with them and that is what got planned. They promised we could go to Chuck E Cheese for Bridger on his actual birthday.

"Better out than in I always say."

Busy Bridger day

Boat slip with lift before re-model. Last weekend when we were at the lift there was no water. The water will eventually be up to the trees in the background. Darin is waiting on some brackets he ordered to make the lift boat ready for use.


This is at Pathfinder reservoir. This is the reservoir that western Nebraska gets their water from. Even though I wasn't there, I am sure the water would be up over the rocks Bridger is sitting on in a good rainy season. He didn't catch any fish. Could be that he didn't have his hook and line out a little further.

They stopped in Fremont Canyon to try a little rock climbing. Can you gauge how far down it is on the side they are on-looking across the canyon. No one else was there with them. Darin used the camera timer to take the picture.

Bridger took a little nap on the way back to town. Big day!!!

"YO Adrian!!! I did it!" (I helped Darin on this one)

beautiful Spring day

Bridger got a daffodil from Jami and we potted it this morning. I had gotten some flowers from Linnea for my birthday and we potted them also. Jami and Bridger took a walk to the park and Bridger climbed a tree. This was his first time to climb such a tree. She called from the park and told us he was stuck in the tree. Darin rode his bike over to them. He obviously got up in the tree also. After they got back they washed cars. Looks like the thought of giving Bridger the hose should have been re-thought.

Bridger and I went to the driving range while everyone else went to see Bill Cosby. They enjoyed themselves and had lots of comments to share. Bridger did great for a 6 year old on the driving range. He said he had fun. It was his idea to go. Bridger and I went to get groceries for dinner tonight and still beat everyone home. Bridger ate and ate tonight. He had his meat and potatoes, then asparagus, then watermelon, then strawberries and now is asking for a frozen fruit bar. He must be growing again.

Bridger and Darin do not have school tomorrow. It was an unused snow make-up day. Rollie and Judi plan to leave sometime tomorrow.

Spring is Here

Last night Jampa and I went to a fundraiser for our hockey club. The special guest this year was Gordie Howe. Since this is a family blog I can not tell you what he said to me just before the picture was taken. There was a slide show after dinner and Bridger was in it. It was from last years fundraiser with the Hanson brothers. The first picture was the one in the slide show. It was a fun evening and we got to meet a legend.

Ginni was at a birthday party and when I got home from the dinner she called and asked me to come over. I did and it was fun, however, I did not realize how upset my son was that I left. I will have to do some father - son stuff today to try and make up for it.

I think spring is finally here. The two bottom pictures are of the rhubarb plants that Grampa R gave us. They have some pretty thick stalks on them. They will make some good pie.

I hope everyone is enjoying the weekend.

"My practices aren't designed for your enjoyment"

Poker Lessons

Bridger enjoys playing black jack. He is giving Jampa lessons. Bridger likes to look through the deck though when you are not looking and pick out the winning cards.

Here is a photo of Bridger's dog. As soon as you open the door he has a frisbee or ball ready to fetch. Most of the water drained out of the basketball stand when it blew over and I forgot to refill it. It blew over again and I do not think I will be able to fix it.

The weather is getting nice here. It is about time to get the bike out again. I hope this is a fine Friday for everyone.

"I want you to be nice until it's time to not be nice. "

Dancing with the Stars

We had the Meline's over for dinner last night. The adults were in the dinning room talking and I thought I would go check on the kids. They were in the living room watching "Dancing with the Stars" and Bridger was dancing away with Laney. He was actually trying to flip her around his back, just like they were doing on TV. They both seemed to be enjoying themselves. Any attention Laney gets from Bridger she love since he is her "boyfriend". We all got in the hot tub later and just about overflowed it.

The weather has been nice over here except for the wind again. It is terrible. I think the Carpenter's song should be changed from "Rainy days and Mondays" to "Windy days and Mondays always get me down."

I hope all is well for everyone.

"I can't swim. Are you Crazy? The fall will probably kill you."

Another Fishing Pic

Here are a couple of older photos. Bridger lost another tooth this morning. It was very loose so Ginni pulled it. He came running in the bathroom very excited to tell me he lost a tooth. Yes, Bridger is still cleaning the yard.
Bridger did have a good time Saturday night. He got to spend the night with Kayla. He got a little homesick but then was fine. He must have been very comfortable there, when we picked him up he was still in his PJ's.
We are having the Meline's over for dinner tonight, I think I will grill something. Bridger wanted to lock his room so it did not get messed up or anything broken.
Not much else happening in our world, hope all is well for you.

"I feel the need, The need for speed."

Opening Weekend

We missed out on going to the Rockies opening weekend. It is a gamble on the weather, but it was a beautiful day today.



This is from 2008.
This is from 2006.

We kept busy this weekend. I stopped by a bridal shower yesterday. Darin worked on some home projects. We went to the Boat Club's Commodore's party last night. We didn't know anyone unless you count one of the waitstaff working there. We sat with some people that invited us to sit with them after we had sat at a table by ourselves for awhile. Guess they felt sorry for us. They were nice. One woman was a nurse and another a retired math teacher. She just happened to know the one other teacher in the district who Darin dislikes vehemently. Darin was polite as always. Just a small world sometimes.

Today we went out to the boat club and made a deal to buy a boat lift to go with our new boat dock spot. No dry docking this year for us. The boat lift is for a pontoon boat which means Darin will have to make some adjustments. We had some lunch back in town and then went to a Memorial Service. One of my patients recently died of cancer complications. Then back home where I am still hopeful to get some yard work done. No one is vying to help me, though.

Little Guy Fishing

OK Grammy-it's fishing picture time.

First picture is from Cook Lake. We have one from just last year, but I like this one. I am not sure which year this one is from. I do believe it was Mother's Day weekend and R/J joined us for a weekend in northern WY.

This is from June 2006. The 3 males went fishing during one of get togethers in ND. I remember this is water adjacent to a power plant. Every time we go to ND I now know where to look off into the horizon and find the smokestack for the power plant. Darin and Roger have a fond memory of getting caught in a hailstorm out at the same place.

Red Hat Society-also 2006, but April. We started the morning out at a fish hatchery and ended up during the afternoon at New Fork River. I don't really remember any fish being caught that time. I do remember Thor being there and hanging out with me, as I was being less adventurous.

It is nice that Bridger has such great Grandpas to do these things with.

Our weekend sounds a tad exhausting-so I am not even going to put it in words. GO DARIN--YOU CAN DO IT!!!!!!

hunting? you want more hunting?

For those interested....I worked 6 hours yesterday. Not exactly a 1/2 day. I only had patients until 11:30 (normal) and then I worked on charts until close to 2pm. I got everything done that I could have at the time. I am seriously thinking of announcing when I get there only a 1/2 day again, but I will chicken out.


So over the years we have engaged in various "hunting enterprises". The first you see is our first Xmas tree that was cut down on a tree farm. It did not involve hiking through the woods, knee deep in snow, frozen fingers and toes. We could clearly see the forest for the trees-they were all lined up quite nicely. Actually, I think this beauty was propped up, already cut just waiting for us. One of the docs in Michigan had his own tree farm. This whopper cost a mere $20 on Christmas Eve. No sense hurrying!
(it's tilted because it is in a scrapbook that way)




This is an example of the catch and release program in Hutto, Tx. You find the hippo, sit on it, take a picture and let it go. It was a very cooperative hippo. I would say even more cooperative than some of the children (adults). Hutto is very proud of their hippos. There is a story to the hippo. I can look back in other pics and share the wall mural that tells it. I have pneumonia for goodness sakes-I am not sacrificing valuable oxygen to type it all out. ha-ha!! OR JUDI COULD ENLIGHTEN EVERYONE THAT DOESN'T KNOW.

AHHHH! Here is a classic golfball hunting picture. Did you see it? I thought I saw it? Where did you see it? I think it is over there, no, over THERE! Is that it? I don't know how far did you hit it? How far did I hit it-are you joking? I hit really far! Are you sure? Rollie would, of course, at this point just step up and hit his own golfball-pretending he doesn't know us....

Happy Friday!!! Hope everyone has a nice weekend.

Bridger Hunting

These are some photo's from a hunting trip to Pinedale. When we were out snowshoeing we found some grouse feathers and I had Bridger look at them so he knew what they were. I then asked him if he would like to hunt grouse next year. He said no and I asked him if he wanted to hunt at all. He said, "I want to hunt deer." I said how about elk and he replied, "no, just deer" he paused and then said, "and bald eagles".

We had some excitement at school yesterday. We actually had a fire in the shop class. I did not have a class at the time so I ran to my truck and grabbed my radio and communicated with the units coming in. They were able to knock it down quickly but there was a lot of smoke in that section of the building. Everyone got out and nobody was hurt. I was on duty last night so I grabbed some little red Jr. firefighter helmets and put them on the principals desks this morning.

Ginni made it back to work today. I think she was just going for a half day so she does not get run down. One more day left for the work week. Can you see the moose in the picture?

"We're not Watusi. We're not Spartans. We're Americans, with a capital 'A'"

pneumonia

It has been a rough few days for me. I discovered this morning that I have pneumonia. I got two shots and started on oral antibiotics. I came home and layed down and woke up when Darin got home after school. I have a lot of lightheadedness when I try to move and then I start coughing also. I sort of feel just a smidge better late this evening. Overnight has always been the worst-so I am not looking forward to going to bed.

Darin has done a wonderful job being a single parent. Bridger has been fed, clothed and gotten to daycare without any hitches. I suppose I will be able to do a little more tomorrow. I plan to stay home at least one more day. I just wish I had more energy. I can only imagine the mess waiting for me at work. Bridger even made a comment the other day about all the work I would have to do when I got back.

Even though this is supposed to be about Bridger-I have been so out of it I don't know of any endearing comments or actions to share. Maybe Darin will blog tomorrow and tell you something.

More Easter Greetings

Bridger got a "How to Train Your Dragon" viking outfit for his Easter basket. He thought it was pretty cool not only because of the movie but because his school is Verda James Vikings and of course the Minnesota Vikings.

The video is an Easter greeting from Bridger when we were in Denver.

The Momma unit stayed home sick today, reaching temps over 102. She has already called in sick for tomorrow. She is atleast moving around a little this evening.

Bridger is very observent nowadays. When we went over to the Meline's, Shawn was wearing a shirt that was coded in color so if you were color blind you would not be able to read it. When we got home Bridger asked us why Shawn was wearing a shirt that had the "F" word on it. I guess we know Bridger is not color blind, and he knows how to spell the "F" word. (We did explain how wrong it was Mom.)

We are expecting another big storm in Wyoming tonight and tomorrow. 9 - 18" in the high country. 4 - 6 down low. Just when it seems like we are going to have spring mother nature reminds us that we live in Wyoming.

Ginni is watching the Butler - Duke game right now. Hope all is well for everyone reading this Blog.

Over? Did you say "over"? Nothing is over until we decide it is! Was it over when the Germans bombed Pearl Harbor? - Bluto, Animal House

Happy Easter

I hope everyone enjoyed their day today. We had a nice drive back from Denver. The weather was good except for the wind.

Yesterday the Hotel had an Easter egg hunt for the kids. There were only 7 kids so Bridger collected a lot of eggs. There was a special egg for the grand prize and Bridger found it. He got a new Wii game. After the hunt all of the kids went into another room and watched Peter Cotton Tail. They had snacks and drinks for the kids. Bridger said he enjoyed it.

This morning we got up an went to the Easter Brunch that was included in our stay. It was very good. It did not start until 11:00 but Ginni said lets go early and see if they will seat us. We went at about 10:40 and were the first ones there. We really did not feel like eating right away since all of the staff were staring at us. It did not stop Bridger though. He got his food and got after it.

After Brunch we finished packing and headed home. Ginni was not feeling well and went to bed early. Bridger and I drained the hot tub and re-filled it. As always it will be good to sleep in our own bed tonight.

Right turn Clyde - Philo Beddoe

Hockey (The Pros)

We had a fun night last night. Bridger was really into the game as you can see with the last picture. He is celebrating the Avs one goal. He really kept his eye on the puck and was watching players set up for passes and shots. It was fun to see how much he understands the game.

Ginni bought a package deal that included four tickets, discount at the sports store and dinner at Arby's. First thing we did was stop by the store and got Bridger a jersey that fits (he is not wearing it due to a chocolate ice cream spill) and then went to Arby's to eat. We were getting ready to order and noticed a sign that said you could not redeem your free meals at the Pepsi Center. I guess we will have to find an Arby's today.

It is suppose to be almost 60 here today so we will do something to enjoy the warmer weather. There is an Easter egg hunt here at the hotel this afternoon. Ginni and Bridger are downstairs finding out the details.

Get your groove on and have fun today.

Winter Is Back

Winter came back just in time for us to go to Denver. We are waiting for the temp to warm a little before we hit the road. I am in no hurry since my pager just went off for a wreck on I-25. At least it is a night game so we have time.

Ginni found a one piece PJ set for Bridger and now it is the only one he wants to wear. You can see the mess in his room. He is quite upset with the neighbor girl that did that to his room. Speaking of such it was a very nice to see Shawn last night, his girls were very excited to have their daddy back. The dinner he wanted for his first day at home was split pea soup. It was good.

Bridger did not want to go last night because he was afraid Shawn would scold him. Earlier in the week he told Sammy the tooth fairy was not real and she told Shawn who got upset. It really upset Bridger so we talked to him and said it would be ok. So the first thing Shawn said when we walked through the door was about the tooth fairy. Our little boy was so grown up and handled it great and just said, "yah, I did" and walked on.

Hopefully we will have some pics from the Pepsi center tomorrow.

Keep On Truckin'