Bridger's Photos

 Bridger took this picture yesterday of a bunny under a tree in our front yard.

 He then took a picture of his dog sleeping in the backyard.

 This is a picture from this morning.  Bridger spent the night across the street.  He only had this far to run in tennis shoes and a hoodie.

Bridger wanted to play out back in the new snow.  Yes, he made sure Shasta was out of the firing zone.

We woke up to an unpredicted storm this morning.  It snowed all morning leaving a few inches on the ground.  I thought it would be a good day for skiing but no one else wanted to go.  So we went to the store, got wood pellets and relaxed in front of the fire place.

I am glad we are staying in tonight with the roads the way they are.  There will be too many idiots trying to party and drive on these nasty roads.  Bridger made sure we got his apple cider champagne for tonight.

I hope everyone has a Happy New Year's Eve.

"They were most dangerous when they had a camera in their hands. They had a camera in their hands a lot."



Skiing and Tennis

 Bridger got a call to play tennis with a friend today.

 This one was a little high.  I think he will have a tennis temperament like John McEnroe.

 This is how an 8 year old enjoys a soak after skiing.

 The mad dash across the snow.

 Finding a place less likely to have yellow snow.

And then back to the tub.

Bridger and I got around and went skiing again today.  Our 3rd time over break.  It was windy today, 45 mph gusts.  On a couple of the runs the wind was so strong it would almost stop you.  We still had fun.

We got home and Bridger changed to go play tennis.  He had fun but was a bit tired from skiing.  Ginni got off from work and joined us at the athletic club.

The week sure has gone fast.  I think we will try to get at least one more ski in this year.  Hopefully Ginni will join us this time.

Enjoy the last couple of days of 2011.

"And now for the rules of the International, Chinese downhill: there are none."

Enjoying Break

 Getting ready to catch some air.

 Having fun skiing through the trees.

 Rocking out with the new guitar.

He has only lost one arrow so far.

Bridger had fun with a couple of his gifts yesterday.  He is really good with the bow.  He has had practice during PE club.  He enjoys his new guitar.  Whenever we are sitting in the living room he is strumming on it.  Thankfully without it plugged into the amplifier.

Ginni had to work today so Bridger and I headed up on the mountain again.  It was good skiing but a little windy and cold.  Bridger had enough at about 1:30 so we headed home to sit in the tub.  He is really enjoying skiing this year and doing great.

I hope everyone is doing well.

Not a kid movie, but they do have a guitar and a bow.

"Me and my buddy here are taking a canoe trip down the Cahulawassee"



The Joys of Christmas

 The JOY of giving, watching Mom open her gift.

 The JOY of teasing, watching Dad open his gift.

 The JOY of making someone happy.

 The JOY of getting something unexpected.

 The JOY of sharing a laugh.

The JOY of getting something you asked for.

I hope everyone is having a wonderful Christmas.

"God bless us, everyone."



It's Christmas Eve!

 Bridger is excited to try his new skis.

 His boots were too small so he had to use a pair of Ginni's old ones.

 First run of the day, he is starting to ski backwards on his twin tips.

 It was a beautiful day with the sun, temp was 15 degrees.

A picture from our live fire training last Sunday.

Bridger and I made it up the mountain for our first ski day of the season.  Ginni had to go to her clinic for a couple of hours so was not able to join us.  Bridger had a blast and was skiing great.  He did not wipe out once.  He did scare me on the chair lift though.  Someone fell in front of him and he could not dismount right away and they did not stop the lift.  I was already off and turned back to see my little guy take about a 4 foot jump off the chair lift.  He did stick the landing.  I have not shared that part of the day with Ginni yet.

Bridger got invited to Gage's after skiing.  They played there for about an hour and then I got a call they wanted to play at our house.  Ginni picked them up.  They played and then decided to do a sleep over back at Gage's.  Wow, a lot of traveling back and forth.  Ginni and I took advantage and went to a movie last night that we would not be able to take Bridger to.

I am not sure what the day holds for us.  Bridger is still at Gage's and we are being lazy.  Merry Christmas Eve everyone.

"All right, listen up guys. 'Twas the night before Christmas, and all through the house, not a creature was stirring, except... the four guys coming in the rear in standard two-by-two cover formation"

Santa and His Elf

 Someone is thinking about jumping on the pole instead of using the stairs.

 Santa's little helper waiting for the crowd.

Bridger the Elf and the big guy.

Bridger was home sick on Monday and was worried that he would not be able to help Santa at the fire department that night.  He was feeling better so he got to come with me.  He had to ride in the fire engine though instead of on top.  He was a little disappointed with that.  It is the first year he has not rode on top with me.

We had a line of people at the back door before the engine even went around town.  I got dressed and on the engine so we could let all of the people in.  We had hot chocolate and cookies for them while they waited for Santa to get back.  It was a good crowd for a Monday night.  I am glad that Bridger enjoys helping others.

Christmas break starts tomorrow.  We have the Melines coming over for dinner and presents tonight.  We might try to get up on the ski hill Friday or Saturday to take advantage of the new 8" of snow we got.

Merry Christmas.

"We elves try to stick to the four main food groups: candy, candy canes, candy corns and syrup"

hockey fundraiser

 The charming Santa.

 After Santa came out on the ice the kids followed him around the rink several times.  It was adorable the adoration the kids had for Santa.

 The adults did not fair well against the more nimble skaters.  This was far from the only fall that took place.  The adults tried hard to NOT fall on the kids,but they would whizz by and throw them off balance and down they would go.

 Bridger was the first to score a goal for the oilers.  Notice he knew where I was to get a picture.

 All the skaters got to do the shoot-out.  Bridger and one other skater got a goal.  Darin said he top shelfed, meaning that he flicked it into the net without puck sliding on the ice and in.

The little oilers and the team of adults they played against.  The two Under 8 divisions played together.  There were 4-8 year olds playing together.  The fundraiser was for Joshua's Storehouse, which is a place people can make food donations and people in need can buy or be given the food.  They had lots of fun.

It is Time for Santa

 Santa is so cool he has to wear shades inside.

 Santa playing the air guitar.

 That is a lot of hair.

Getting ready for a charity event.

I brought my Santa suit home to get everything ready for the weekend.  Bridger has already tried on his elf costume from last year and decided he wanted to put on the Santa suit.  He had fun being silly.  He had to get the nutcracker to put in the tree picture.  He will be the elf for Mondays fire department visit.

Bridger is skating in a charity hockey game tonight that benifites the hungry in Casper.  I was asked to be the guest ref for the game, Santa.  With the wig I had to re-size my helmet.  It should be fun.

Bridger spent the night with Kayla, his old babysitter.  Ginni and I had date night.  We cooked together, shared a bottle of wine, watched a movie and went to bed.  Besides the hockey game tonight Bridger has PE club, archery.  He has been excited about getting to shoot a bow so should have fun.

I hope everyone is enjoying the last weekend before Christmas.  Go Pokes.

" Faith is believing when common sense tells you not to."

Xbox and Lights

 I think Bridger enjoyed being on the ladder more than hanging lights.

 He put on the gutter clips and then the lights.

 He really likes these motion lights.

 He can talk with other players while playing his games.

His new Xbox chair called a fat sack.  It is a pretty cool bean bag.

I told Bridger that we would work on the Christmas lights last night after school.  We did not get very far.  We did get a few up.  We also have deer and a blow up penguin to put out.

We do not have anything big planned for the week.  So just the regular, school and hockey.   Bridger has been pretty good about getting his homework done.  He got up this morning and sat with me while I read the paper.  He was working quietly and then blew up.  "I hate cursive!  Who came up with this?" Ginni was at the computer and said just do your best.  He looked up and said, " Mom, I am good at it, I just hate it!"  I hope he got in a better mood before school.

The weather is a little warmer and the sun is out so we can't complain.  I hope everyone is doing well.

"Is your house on fire, Clark?
No, Aunt Bethany, those are the Christmas lights."

It Is Friday!

 Breakfast for Dad.

Bridger's Pokes helmet.

Bridger decided that he wanted to make me breakfast the other morning.  I had instructions that I had to wake him up and then stay out of the kitchen.  He even refilled my coffee when needed.  He has been experimenting with after school snacks and has developed his own grilled cheese.  Since he can not use the stove he toasts the bread, adds cheese and then microwaves it.  He thought it would make a good surprise breakfast for me along with english muffins and a glass of milk.  I was a good father and ate it.  I tried to share it with Bridger but Ginni quickly said, "Oh Bridger, you probably want Daddy to eat the grilled cheese don't you?"  Thank you Ginni.

Ginni mentioned all of the helmets around the house a while back.  Here is what they are being used for.  I got some helmet decals and Bridger now has a Cowboys helmet just in time for the bowl game next Saturday.

We have a busy weekend coming up filled with Christmas and birthday parties.  Happy Friday.

Another one from the actor in the last quote.

"You should see the toast. I couldn't even get it through the door."

Last Year's Winter Fun

 Another picture from the Sioux game.

 A more recent picture of Bridger skiing.

Bridger taking a break.

I found these picture from last year and thought I would put them on to get in the winter fun spirit.  Bridger always enjoys the snow.  The big problem is making sure he is dressed, he would still be wearing shorts if he could get away with it.

Bridger finished fall tennis lessons last night.  He seems to enjoy it and was excited when another parent suggested a tennis date over break.  

Not much else happening in Wyoming, we are trying to get Christmas decorations up.  I might be able to work outside since it should be back in the 30's.

I thought I would get a Pearl Harbor quote for today.

"Nothing is over until we decide it is! Was it over when the Germans bombed Pearl Harbor?"

COLD!

 Bridger's first skiing trip (age 2)

 Skiing Terry Peak with a 15' webbing.

Bridger started skiing on his own at White Pine.

With the cold and snow it is feeling like ski season.  Bridger is pretty excited to try out his new skis.  These were the only ski pictures I had on this computer.  He has improved greatly and will soon be out skiing me.

We stayed at home this weekend and got some projects done.  We watched the Meline girls on Saturday night,  Bridger enjoyed the company.  He then went sledding up on the mountain with them Sunday.  We also had hockey games yesterday.  Bridger did great and had fun.

I hope everyone is enjoying their Monday.  It is finally warmed up to single digits here.

"[riding in back of pickup truck in freezing cold] What do you think the temperature is?
  One."