Bear Country

TRIP TO GRANDMA'S AND PAPA'S HOUSE - SOUTH DAKOTA - THANKSGIVING 2009

Going to Bear Country is our most favorite thing when visiting. Grandma and Papa get a yearly pass and it is just so much fun to see. I took a ton of pictures but here are a few of the good ones.

I always think of my sister Katie Fox, when I see a fox the animal. So this is for you Katie!

These are the bear "cubs." They are pretty old cubs by now, but still smaller than their Mama's. They are so playful and silly, they just run around with each other and play, falling on top of each other, climbing trees, hiding. They are one of the highlights to see at the park.

If I remember correctly this is a lynx. Two year ago Audrey was just about 13 or 14 months old. We had her in the stroller walking about the park. And a lynx, similar to this one. Saw her in the stroller and marked her for dinner. He would not take his eyes off her, and moved with us up and down the cage. Whenever we stopped he would get into an attack position, just ready to pounce. Audrey saw him, but was too young to notice his intentions. It was funny, but as a mother, I felt nervous. I always wondered if we stayed long enough if he would try to "catch" her.

This is the Big-Horned Sheep. In the park there is a driving part, where you have to stay in your car, with the windows rolled up, and then the walking part. This sheep was in the driving part. As we drove up we were looking, there was about 6 or 7 of them altogether. Something either irritated this guy or caught him off guard. Because he looked at our van, about 20 feet away and charged us!! Papa had to press the gas quickly and get out of his way, because he tried twice!! The second time was only from about 5 feet away so it wasn't as scary, but whatever his reason, he did not like us!

I thought this wolf lying here was so majestic. Such a beautiful animal. I always think of my dog "Patches," from when I was a kid. He was part wolf.

Peacock. These guys just roamed the place at their own free will. There was no cage for them. Outside anyway.

Badger! He was so fat, we all laughed when he ran.

The bears were everywhere. This guy was huge!! At one point in the park we were trying to cross a cattle guard. Right on the fence there is a sign that says: "Drive Slowly, Bears Will Move." This cattle guard was being guarded by a bear, who looked very nervous, and would not move. He paced in front of that cattle guard, continually, for a long time. Every now and then, he would come right up to the car and sniff around the side and front, but sure enough he would hurry back and start pacing again. He was pacing so quickly, I am surprised he didn't get dizzy. The kids sure got a kick out of seeing a bear do that.

An albino bison, but we call them Buffalo.

Seeing the buffalo is also one of the highlights. Here they are at their feeding area.

Just at home - the Airforce Museum

TRIP TO GRANDMA'S AND PAPA'S HOUSE - SOUTH DAKOTA - THANKSGIVING 2009

The day before we left, we went to Ellis Airforce Museum. My family loves this kind of stuff. They had a lot of planes outside the museum to go look at. But the wind started to blow really hard, and the temperature had dropped significantly that day. We parked the car to go look at those planes and Jack and Audrey were not having any of it. They were bundled up as well, layers, hats, gloves, scarves - everything. So Grandma and I took them inside while Papa and Chris had a look outside. Inside was really fun. They had this cockpit for this kids to get inside and play in. I thought that was cool.

Audrey inside the cockpit.

Grandma and Audrey in front of a plane.

Audrey in front of some sort of missile or bomb. It was pretty big close up.

Jack inside the cockpit.

Besides all the fun things we were able to go do and see, we had also had time to sit around, and talk and enjoy being together. Chris was in heaven to have cable T.V. for a week, and enjoyed having someone with him who liked to watch the sames things as he does.

Jack and Audrey cuddling with Papa. Anytime Papa was sitting down, Audrey was on and off his lap continually. He started to count how many seconds it would take before she would get down again. He usually only got to about 10 or 15 seconds.

I missed the actual kiss. This is at the motorcycle practice compound. That girl loves her Papa.

Audrey and Papa looking through a photo album together.

Of course they love cuddling with Dad as well. Audrey is sucking on Dads leftover Root Beer.

On the way home we were able to stop and play on the "Devils Gate," that was part of the Mormon Pioneers trail across the plains. Chris, Jack and Audrey climbed all over it, oh, and so did Bisto. I didn't want want to fall, being pregnant and all, and played it safe and stayed on the ground.

Crazy Horse and Mount Rushmore

TRIP TO GRANDMA'S AND PAPA'S - SOUTH DAKOTA - THANKSGIVING 2009

Of course we always hit up Mount Rushmore when going to Grandma's and Papa's house. Unfortunately we always seem to go in the winter, when the trail up against the mountain is closed. I have only been able to do it once. Oh well! It is still a majestic thing to see. This time we had been playing so hard, that Audrey fell asleep in the car on the way, and I didn't have the heart to wake her up. Papa was also feeling a bit off that day, so he stayed in the car with Audrey and they both took a nap, while Chris, Jack, Grandma and I went into Mount Rushmore.

We also went to see the Crazy Horse Monument. I have never been here before and felt a little deceived. Every single postcard shows a picture of Crazy Horse being finished. Well, its not! Only the face is done, not including the hair. It was cool to see, but I was less than impressed, but I felt that way.

This is Jack, Audrey, and Papa inside the visitors centers at the Crazy Horse Monument.

Crazy Horse Monument!!

The Unsworth Family in front of Crazy Horse.

Medicine Mountain Scout Camp

TRIP TO GRANDMA'S AND PAPA'S HOUSE - SOUTH DAKOTA - THANKSGIVING 2009

Papa is a Professional Scout, in fact he is the Scout Executive of the Black Hills Area Council in South Dakota. As part of his job he runs a Scout Camp. If you know the Unsworth's you know they are Scout Campers. It his how Sheila was raised, and how Chris and Sheila met. We have never been to Papa's scout camp, and boy was it beautiful. It made me long for those days of scout camping. But I am good to wait another 7 years, until Jack gets to go!!

Jack and Audrey on the lifeguard tower at the lake.

Chris and Sheila on the dock out in the middle of the lake.

Jack standing on the frozen lake. This lake freezes so thick, that every year they have an ice fishing fundraiser. I think the rope frozen right under Jacks foot was cool.

Audrey on the frozen lake. Right next to the dock was not quite as frozen as it was just a couple more feet out.

We kept throwing sticks for Bisto, and I had this stupid, yet bright idea to throw it on the lake and see if she would go get it. She did, though she was careful and thankfully nothing bad happened to her. So this is Bisto chasing a stick onto the frozen lake.

I put this picture in for scenery. It was so pretty at the end of November, I bet its breathtaking in the spring and summer. The scout camps I worked at were not as well kept as this.

There is a high, and low ropes course at this camp. This is Jack playing on the "Spider Web" on the low ropes course.

Audrey playing on the "Spider Web."

I don't remember the name of this activity or the purpose of it, but this giant wheel spun around, Chris is holding Audrey on the other side.

This activity is high ropes and its called the "Giant Ladder." Jack had fun swinging on it.

Visiting this camp, was one of the highlights of our visit. It was cold, and I had a hard time walking around. But I could have moved up there for a month or so. I love the mountains. We had a good time there.

The Motorcycle

TRIP TO GRANDMA'S AND PAPA'S HOUSE - SOUTH DAKOTA - THANKSGIVING 2009

My Dad bought himself a motorcycle this past summer. Call it a dream fulfilled or call it a mid-life crisis, I don't know. He has it, he loves, he has already broken a shoulder because of it, and of course my husband and kids are jealous. We spent a couple days out riding, and Chris just couldn't get enough of it. The first day, Papa, took Jack and Audrey on a small ride just within the neighborhood, and not past second gear. Audrey kept saying "Go faster Papa." Papa just laughed, this girl has no fear. Jack thought it was the coolest thing ever, and since he could handle himself better got to go for a lot more rides than his sister. Chris on the other hand, took a small spin around the neighborhood. The next time we went riding, he actually drove it out in the city to the practice compound we went to. Then after that, thats all he did. He drove everywhere in it. One day, Mom and I went out shopping, and Papa let Chris go for a long drive. He was gone on it about two hours, and came back absolutely thrilled!!! I myself went for a short drive at the practice compound, and my Dad said "I can't believe I am teaching my pregnant daughter how to ride a motorcycle!" Well, Dad, all I can say is - Like father, like daughter.

Chris, his first time on the motorcycle.

Audrey and Papa, her first time on the motorcycle.

Jack and Papa, his first time on the motorcycle.

Just got Audrey fitted up with and adult size helmet. Look at those cheeks - but the smile is even better!!!

Jack fitted up with the adult size helmet. Rip-roaring-ready-to-go!!

Chris, geared up in Papa's leather, just before he set out on his two hour solo drive!

Chris and Audrey, at the practice compound.

Chris and Jack, at the practice compound.

Pregnant mama at the practice compound. I will be more gutsy in a few months!

Halloween 2009

As all of you know, I detest Halloween. BUT, I let my children enjoy themselves. This year we did it a bit differently. Tooele City, puts on a Main Street Trick-or-Treat. I think it is fantastic. Because we do that, then we are done. The last couple of years, we have maybe received 5 trick-or-treaters. To me that is just not worth it. So I turned off the outside lights, put a sign on the door, just to be safe, and put on a candy treasure hunt for the kids. Then before they got sick on candy, we had a Pumpkin Pizza, from Papa Murphy's and watched "Its the Great Pumpkin Charlie Brown." And that was our Halloween. It was fun, we all enjoyed it.

Both Jack and Audrey were "Rock Stars," but all the onlookers, thought they were "Guitar Heros."

I cut the guitars out of cardboard, then I had Jack and Audrey paint their own. Then after they dried I drew on the strings, and attached a sling.

Here they both are acting like rock stars. They are so darn cute. Oh, and I painted on their faces as well.

Audrey and Jack posing at the picture booth and the Elders Quorum Halloween Party.

They had a pumpkin carving contest, and this is Jack with his masterpiece. He is trying to smile like the pumpkin. He told me that is what he was doing when I took the picture.

Poor Bisto!!

We decided for Family Home Evening to go up the canyon and hike around. This is a common thing in our family. We love to do it. There is this playground area up Settlement Canyon, that is somewhat fenced off but has an opening to a small river. We play in and around the river then continue to follow it up the mountain. We always have Bisto with us, and we always have a ball for her when we go. It is such a rush for her to chase the ball, and find it amongst the dead leaves and fallen trees. Sometimes she gets ambitious and goes exploring on her own, to some some scent I am sure, but she is such a good dog, that Chris just whistles loudly and with a couple seconds we see her bounding through the bushes from some odd direction.

Anyway this particular day, we were almost done with our hike. Turns out that we had rounded this pavillion, that people are allowed to rent. It is fenced off to cars by way of poles and barb wire, but large openings that allow people to walk in and use it. We were just walking through this part and Chris threw the ball for Bisto. Instead of running the 4 foot gap, she decided to jump through the barb wire. She caught, her belly and ripped it open. No, that is saying it too nicely. She shredded it!! Before it was stitched up her belly was literally hanging off of her, and dragging on the ground. Jack and Audrey were in complete hysterics worried about her. So was I for that matter, Chris, of course, manages to keep his head in these situations.

We drove to the nearest Vet, at this time it was 6:30 PM, the vet closed at 6:00. Nobody answered the emergency number posted on the door. So we tried the only other vet in town. The exact same thing happened. We were worried at this point, because waiting through the night, might have slowly killed her. Chris stopped by the Emergency Room and picked up all the supplies to staple it together himself. Which we did try to do, but got absolutely nowhere with it. During our attempted surgery, the Vet from the second try called us back. We had to pay an extra $50.00 for an Emergency call, but it was worth it. Chris took her immediately, and was back in just over an hour. She was quite doped up and bumping into wall and couldn't keep her feet under that night. The Vet put her on Antibiotics, and we babied her for 10 days. She didn't want to move a lot, but wanted to see the movement of the family, so we moved her bed out into the living room and put her food and water right by her head. And she laid there for a solid week. We had to force her once a day to go to the bathroom. After a week she was interested in walking outside in the backyard a bit. And slowly but surely, she healed and was back running around chasing the balls again.

When we first got Bisto, she drove me absolutely crazy. We decided to get one of the most hyper breeds in the world, and I couldn't handle it. But this dog after 5 years sure has wound her way into my heart. She was there a long time ago with the rest of the family. She is one of us, she rounds the family out perfectly. Bisto Unsworth is her name.

My poor dog!! I can't believe this actually happened to her. We all feel so bad.
Instead of using a cone, thank goodness, she had to wrap her very tightly in an ace bandage. It had to be tight so that the skin wouldn't pucker around the stitch skin.

Bisto's head is on the left hand side, under Chris's hand. I don't think the picture does it justice.

Every now and then Bisto would stand up, kind of half conscience, for a few minutes, then lay back down again. Poor dog.