Snow camping

Since day one I've told Gary that I won't winter camp. It's too cold, I hate being cold and not being able to do anything about it. So he usually goes by himself. Well last week Gary's trip to Las Vegas to climb was canceled because our friend's dad passed away. So he decided to do a lot of hiking with Clementine. All week he probably put on about 35-40 miles on his body. He likes that kind of stuff, and it helps clear his head. On Monday he decided to hike up into the mountains, set up camp, and enjoy the quietness of life. Clementine went also. They went as far as she would let him and eventually I guess she just stopped. So he set up the tent and she crawled in and curled up in the sleeping bag and Gary's down coat. She was cold. Gary thinks she's a big doggie..........I have to keep reminding him that she isn't. So they cooked some mac and cheese and called it a night. He was planning on staying a couple of nights up there, but his gas container leaked out all of the gas so he had no way to heat water or cook anything. In the morning, Clementine and him waited for the sun to start showing and headed home. Over night it snowed 8 inches. Clementine broke trail for about 50 yards then gave up the job to her daddy. I was happy to have them home when they got back around noon on Tuesday. For the rest of the week, Gary just did some close hikes. I wish I could have spent that time with him. We always have such great conversations when we hike. There isn't anything that is interupting us except for the occasional tree branch. Ha Ha!!!!
So I have Gary back, and he starts school again tomorrow. I keep telling him that he's almost done. He will have been in school for 2 years in June. It's going very fast. He says he has some good classes this quarter so hopefully he'll enjoy it.
By the way, we've decided to stay here for 5 more years. We can't move and buy a new house because we don't have the income and I'm not ready to start a studio somewhere else yet. We've decided that we'll stay where we are and start our family here before picking up and moving. BUT he promised me that we'll go to great places soon.

We love you all.

Not much going on here.

I don't have much to say. I know that I said I would try to write every week, but as I'm sure everyone knows, we can't have an adventure every weekend. :-( So everything is good, Gary's on spring break now, but I still have to work all week long. We love you all and I'll write more when it's exciting! :-)

Snowing

No pictures to go along with this blog... I need to take some more. In Seattle today there is lots of snow. I'd say we have about an inch. I know all of my family is laughing at this but that is a lot snow here. We have gotten more snow storms this year than I've ever seen. I saw snow flakes today that were probably an inch across. It was pretty awesome! For those of you that saw where we live though, we have to conquer a steep steep hill. All of my students are canceling and that makes for a weekend full of students.

Gary is studying all weekend though. He has finals next week so he'll be parking himself in the library and working really hard to get those A's. I'm so impressed by him. He is the top of the class so I know he'll make a great SLP.

This weekend we started to outline the next few years. And you can all comment if you'd like, because family input is always good. 1. We can decide to stay here in Washington while Gary is working for his final year of college. That way we can buy a house, I can continue to teach, and we can save money for our future family. If we do this, I may also go back to school part time to get a Masters of Education. That way when the kids come along, I can be home with them or take them to all of their activities. 2. We could move practically anywhere we want to and start our lives somewhere else. Either way, we will be moving, Gary promised, in 5-8 years.......give or take, so we can be closer to family. I miss mine terribly and want our kids to spend time with Grandmas and Grandpas.

So if anyone has any suggestions or advice please send us some.

I don't have much more for this week. I hope everyone is having a beautiful week. We love you all and until next time , lots of love.

Time Flies

So last week, my (I mean OUR) nephew turned 13. Wow! How time flies. I have a little story about when Hunter came into this world.

I was in my first year of college when Hunter was born. I had actually snuck back into town that week, I believe it was a Tuesday, to spend time with my boyfriend at the time. When I went to go get dinner at Dairy Queen, I drove the back roads to get back home. The back roads in Alliance are dirt roads, and I have no idea why I chose to drive behind the hospital.....but when I did, my brother's car was parked there. 'Oh my gosh! What is my brother and his wife doing at the hospital.' I thought. So I left my blizzards and hot food in my running car and ran in the hospital to see what was happening. I asked the front desk if everything was okay, and they told me that Mark and Tina had just delivered a baby. I was the first to be there. I don't think they had called anyone yet. It was one of the best days of my life. He was so sweet and little, and I just loved (and still do love) him sooooo much. (The ice cream melted by the way :-)

I was very fortunate that I was the third person that Hunter Chad Schafer got to meet. He won't remember that, but I will continue to tell him that story.

I'm very proud of our nephew and Gary is very fond of him also. Hunter is so smart and really the most polite kid you'll ever meet. That was the first thing out of Gary's mouth when he spent the day with Hunter and his dad. He is a truly amazing young man. I know we are very far away, but I hope that Hunter gets to spend some good time with us. Now that he's growing up, we'll have to plan some more trips out to spend time with Aunt Angela and Uncle Gary!!!!

We love you buddy!

(ps. I also have a wonderful story about Brionna when she was born, but we have to wait until her birthday!)