Snow Day

Bridger got 5 guns cleaned.

He invited Sammy over to soak.  He rarely goes anywhere without his hockey stick.

Jumping in the snow to make snow angles.

Shasta took advantage of having them in the back yard.

Only one injury.

We had a snow day on Tuesday.  I showed Bridger how to clean guns.  He did a good job and enjoyed doing it.

He invited Sammy over and I think they spent 2 hours in the hot tub.  They were pruned.  They had a blast together.  It is nice to see him having fun with his best friend.

The wind picked up today so the roads are terrible.  I am glad we have home games this weekend so we do not have to travel.  Be safe and stay warm.

"Come on, Lane! This snow day happened for a reason. It's given me a second chance with Claire."

Christmas Cheer

Skate with Santa.

Bridger helping the Meline's with their star.

Bridger helping Sammy adjust it.

Shasta does not have a tail anymore.

Ginni's son made this snowman.

We had a busy weekend.  Bridger played 4 hockey games.  I had to coach 6 since I am the head coach I had to coach the B team also.  We also had skate with Santa which I have done for the past 5 years.  This is the last week of school and then Christmas break.  Bridger is doing great at school as well as in hockey.  He definitely deserves the "C" on his shoulder.  We are bracing for a winter storm moving in tonight.  I hope everyone is doing well.

Bridger and I made it on the news, here is a link.  http://www.kcwy13.com/video

"I suppose it all started with the snow. You see, it was a very special kind of snow. A snow that made the happy happier, and the giddy even giddier."

Penguins Game

Bridger with his team warming up.

His hockey hero, #71.

Celebrating a goal.

Celebrating another goal.

Mother and Son in opposing jerseys.

Penguins win 4 - 2.

 

We headed to Denver for a midweek hockey game.  Bridger was so excited to get to see his team live.  He was taking pictures and videos.  It made it extra special to see them come from behind to win.

 

We were going to stay the night but Bridger is a student mentor and had a program today.  We got home about 3 am.  Ginni and I took the day off but Bridger went to school and lead a group of students in a bullying program.  He did a great job and we are proud of him.  He said it made him realize how good his life is by listening to the other students.

 

We are headed into a 4 game WAHL weekend.  At least we are home.  Bridger will be tired Sunday after a full weekend of hockey.

 

"You're a pretty good fighter back there. I have this idea. Will you be my body guard? I'll pay fifty cents every day. I'll do your homework for you. I'm pretty smart." 

Happy Thanksgiving

Ginni and Bridger after the morning win.

Bridger getting back on D.

Bridger getting ready for the opening faceoff.

Bridger got the start today.  On the first possession of the puck he got the first shot on goal of the game.  He let a hard slap shot rip from the blue line.  It bounced off the goalie just like you want and sat in front of the net but nobody got there to put it in.  Bridger had a great game and played solid defense.  His coach came up to me after the game and said he had a nickname for Bridger.  He said Bridger Steel just like the company because Bridger is his man of steel than no one can get through.

We have two game tomorrow so hopefully the boys will continue playing like they did today.  It is quite an experience for me to be in the stands and not on the bench.

Happy Thanksgiving to all.

"There's no way on earth we're going to get out of here tonight. We'd have more luck playing pickup sticks with our butt-cheeks than we will getting a flight out of here before daybreak."

Hockey and Hunting

Our Captain.

Bridger at the Warren Peak Fire Lookout.  About 15 degrees, can you tell?

Sunset in the Bearlodge.  That is Keyhole lake in the background.

 

Bridger and I are up in Gillette this weekend.  The team lost both games.  We played really good the first game and Bridger had a beautiful assist but lost 5 - 3.  The second game our teamwork fell apart and we lost 9 - 1.  Bridger and I then headed up for an evening hunt.  This was one of the only areas still open for general elk and deer.  We got on some deer but they were all does and fawns and it is a buck only area.  I was hoping to get Bridger a little whitetail buck but no luck.  Of course all I could think about was how cold my hands would be if I had to clean a deer or elk in 15 degree weather with wind.  We will head home soon to repack and head to Colorado. 

 

"Matt and I have been coming up to these mountains with our dad our whole lives. We can hunt, we can fish, we can stay up here a long, long time." 

Bridger

2015

2006

Bridger has really grown.  He makes the sign look tiny now.  Ha.  We have a busy weekend and week coming up.  Ginni is working WBI and Bridger and I will be in Gillette for hockey.  We then head to Colorado on Sunday.  I have my first shoulder surgery Monday and then we will head to the townhouse.  We will then head to Denver on Wednesday for Hockey.  It is the Silver Stick tournament that we won last year and went to Canada.  I did not get my team in so Bridger is playing for Team Wyoming.  It will be nice to not have to coach since I may be in some pain.  I hope everyone is doing well.

"No problemo, Gigantor."
"Um, my name's Larry, first of all okay, Jed? See, I call you Jed, I don't call you tiny, right?"

Elk Hunt II

Bridger with Half Moon Lake in the background.

Half Moon, Little Half Moon and Half Moon mountain.

Bridger by the Bridger sign.

Bridger with Bridger canyon behind him.

Enjoying the hunt.

Bridger and I had a nice time in Pinedale while Ginn had to work WBI on Halloween.  We had a nice hunt and a nice visit with Jampa.  We saw a lot of sign but never got on the elk.  Bridger was pretty disappointed that he did not get an elk.  We did see a lot of wildlife.  We saw moose including a nice bull and a lot of deer including 5 very nice bucks.  We both enjoyed the special father-son time hunting and watching the Royals win the world series.

"Dad, you're going to have to use the machine gun. Get it ready!"

Hockey

Our big defenseman.

Warming up.

Looking to pass.

He looks good in his uniform.

Taking a shot

Holding the blue line against his Casper team.

We had a busy hockey weekend.  I double rostered Bridger so I could take my travel team to the same tournament.  Since Bridger had committed with Team Wyoming first I had him play for them when we played each other.  It was the toughest game I have coached since I had to coach against my own child.  He has stepped his game up to the next level this year.  One technique that he has developed that leaves the other team baffled is his ability to change directions immediately while still controlling the puck.  Bridger ended up getting sick Saturday night.  He tried to play in the first game but only made it 2 periods before he could not go any more.  In the last two games he went on the bench wearing his jersey and helmet for both teams to support them.  The team Wyoming coach was very impressed with Bridger still wanting to be on the bench with his team.  Team Wyoming took first place and Casper got 3rd.  It was a good weekend of hockey.  Unfortunately the season of living in hotel rooms starts.

 "One period away from remembering something for the rest of your life or something you wanna forget."

Elk Hunt

Early morning with Fremont in the background.

It was a little chilly.

Father Son photo.

Bridger taking a break.

Bridger and Jampa.

Bridger and I had a nice trip to Pinedale.  We got two days of hunting in.  We got on the elk on day 2.  We were walking a ridge line early morning and Bridger spotted a cow and a calf.  They were over 300 yards away and Bridger shot 4 times with no luck.  He was very upset and disappointed in himself.  We ran in to a couple of other hunters on the way out and they helped boost him back up.  They were actually surprised that a 12 year old was hunting with a 30 - 06.  We had a good talk on the way home and he is more than ready to get back over.  It was great to spend time with Dad/Jampa in the mountains.

"It was a rifle shot in high wind. Maybe eight or even ten guys in the world could have made that shot. It's the only thing I was ever good at."

Kicking Ash

 Heli operations

 The head coming our way

 Another lost structure

 They brought in the big plane

 Right over the top of us

 And dumped

We were a little close and I got painted with slurry.

We have a big fire outside of Casper.  It has burnt about 10,000 acres.  Right now they are estimating 20 - 25 homes destroyed and about that many out buildings as well.  I was on the north flank and we did our job as the fire did not get past us.  I then spent the late afternoon/evening putting out hot spots.  I had about 7 homes destroyed in my division.  It was so hot and fierce that all that was left was a roof on the ground.  I am home safe now.

"Tanker 57 to tanker base. I've got a small inconvenience here."

Ending the Season with a Win

Bridger chasing down the runner.  (Orange cleats)

Bridger has him wrapped up.

Bridger blocking,



Bridger making another nice block.

Bridger with another tackle.

Bridger had a nice game on Tuesday.  It was the last one of the season.  I left my practice to watch with Ginni.  We are very proud of our son.

Wednesdays are long with football followed by hockey.  We just got done with hockey.  Bridger is trying to finish up his homework and watch his Cubbies.  They just made it into the post season!

"You take your football down here real serious, don't you?"