Jack Miller : YNP Junior Ranger

We took advantage of Yellowstone's free entrance week and went into the park this Saturday. When we were at the Old Faithful visitors center Jack decided that he wanted to become a YNP Junior Park Ranger and earn a wolf patch. To do this, you need to be over 5 and be able to write your name. Now, Jack is only 4, but the ranger said he could still do the program if he could write his name. Jack tried so hard, and couldn't quite write his name-but the ranger let him into the program anyways. In addition to a 15 minute video on Yellowstone, below is what Jack had to do to become an official junior park ranger.

He had to view Wildlife:



This is what he saw:


He to circle what he saw in a workbook:


He had to observe and draw Old Faithful:


He had to meet a park ranger


Receive his badges!


Jack was thrilled to be a Junior Park Ranger, but he was disappointed that we didn't see bears or Moose. But when we turned into our driveway we saw.....

MOOSE!

Jack is 4 Years Old!

Little Jack Emery Miller is growing up. He is now, officially after April 10th at 1:59 pm, a four year old.

He has anticipated this day for a long time. He is one of the youngest kids in his preschool class, and it has been bothering him that he is only three.

He had a great day, which started out with many birthday wishes from family and cinnamon rolls for breakfast.

We then traveled down to Ashton where we held his birthday party at the HFF office, so that all his friends could attend. Attend they did! Seventeen smiling little faces joined us for the celebration. Here are pictures of the big day. I just love Jack!


Being tickled

Limbo

Presents

Birthday Table

A little grumpy...

Pinata

More Presents

Birthday Cake

Big Hugs!

The Birthday Apology

Before I post pictures of Jack's fourth birthday party, he would like to share something with Uncle John and Aunt Sheena. Apparently, I have a little sneaker on my hands, I wonder where he got that from?

FYI - You will probably need to turn the volume way up to hear the sincerity.

No More "Appy" Days

As you all know, I got my appendix out last Thursday, which was my first "going-under" surgery! Thank goodness I can now put that fear of having an allergic reaction to anesthesia to rest. Everything went great, and I even got to see my appendix (although I was a little fuzzy when the showed it to me). Now my little infected little body part is off to pathology and I am now free to worry about what they find in it...(please don't be parasites), and what I will do when they discover that the appendix really plays an important role in digestion.

I know this is a bad picture, but what can you do when the lighting in the bathroom at work is bad? Bandages off today and incision site 99.9% healed!

Tubing down mountains and welcoming Signe Neu!

Jack & I took a trip to Boise last Thursday to visit my mom for her 61st birthday. This worked out great, as my co-worker and friend Melanie was heading that way to visit her grandkids, so we hitched a ride with her! We had much fun playing cribbage, walking the dogs and going to a movie, but the highlight was snow tubing at Bogus Basin, being together and anticipating the arrival of Nancy's new little one: Signe Marie Neu.

At the ski resort which is located at the top of the Boise Foothills, they have an exclusive area for snow tubing only. The tubing hill was a 800 ft. groomed mountain face that you slide down and then coast to a stop. A a rope pull system was located at the base of the mountain to pull you back to the top.

Everyone has to be in their own tube (even Jack!) but you can link together by holding on to the handles of the other tubes and go down together. At first, we linked together, and did some tricks, like spinning, then got sick and decided to each go down solo. Jack especially liked going down solo because he is "spiderman"(as evident by his mask). It was so cute to look back and see him coming down the mountain! Here are some photos and video of that day. I especially love the video, how at the end, Jack seems to be reaching for Grandma's hand, and of course how Grandma goes crashing into some other tubers!

Valentines Day Tea

Jack and his classmates at the daycare he attends treated the parents to a special valentines day presentation and a luncheon tea. Thought you all would enjoy it too! The kids were told to put their hands in their pockets before walking on stage, and Jack followed these directions so thorougly that he didn't remove them through the entire act. He missed out on the hand actions because of this, but got most of the words! At the end of the singing, we said a blessing which made me think of Grandma and Grandpa Ilgenfritz. "God is good, God is great, and we thank him for this food, so come lord Jesus, take our hands, and may this food we eat be blessed." Jack says that at bedtime too!

I am really thankful that I have such a great support system and child care service through the Cornerstone Learning Center. This daycare makes it possible to work full time and feel peace of mind about Jack. I am also thankful for the Christian Fellowship church who allows the daycare to utilize the church free of charge. I am going to try to make it down to one of their church services in the future.

Voy a hacerlo!

It was fish trap day today, and instead of skiing out there, I decided to take the new snowmobile that was donated to the HFF.
It is only about a 7 mile ride out to the traps, and the trail is groomed most of the way, but I was very nervous!
After Brad got it started for me (I had tried to, but just couldn't), I made my way out there, and immediately missed skiing. The snowmobile, although much quicker, was so loud and bouncy that I could not take my eyes off the road to enjoy what was aroud me! My neck also got incredibly, painfully cold, although my hands stayed toasty warm with heated handles.

When I arrived at the traps, I began turning the snowmobile around to park it, but must have pushed on the brake, because I went head first over the hood! I was not hurt, just embarresed, because snowmobiling is supposed to be easy..right?

At the fish traps, after manhandling the 60 pound gate that shuts off flow to the trap and smashing my fingers between the gates, 8 young of the year rainbow trout, 3 whitefish and 1 brook trout. I also observed a pair of trumpeter swans and fresh otter tracks. I love seeing what is coming upstream from the Henry's Fork into the Buffalo! It is like Christmas, in that you never know what you are going to find, and you can't peak prior!

After measuring the fish and returning them to Buffalo, I walked up the steep slope to my sled and prepared to go home. I got it started right off the bat and made it home in one piece.