Info Dump!

Yes, I know, if I hadn't been so lazy for three months and kept you guys updated on my life I wouldn't have to dump a ton of info on you. But, I'm sure (at least you better have!) noticed I have been gone. Unfortunately it wasn't because I was off having grand adventures. Nope, I achieved nothing on my summer wish list. I've just plainly been too lazy and I felt like I needed a break. I can't promise that I'll continue to update frequently again, but I'll try harder. Here is the update on the important people and issues in my life.

Riley--She went to science camp for a few weeks in the summer. We spent most of the summer together doing nothing. She made the track team at school and goes four-wheeling with her dad every Saturday.

JJ--She spent the summer swimming and made the competitive swim team. Her baby sister Jadyn will be turning 1 next month. She has gotten so big!

Mac--I barely saw my cousin all summer. She's been very busy with her friends.

Lyra--The Lyra I met in Chicago decided she didn't want to blog with me. Oddly enough I met another Lyra, Mac's cousin on her dad's side. Even weirder is that they look the same! This Lyra is fourteen, like Mac. I don't really know much else about her.

Aaron--I started tutoring again with him yesterday and he gave me his own info dump. He and Viggo (his boyfriend) are doing very well and Viggo's father is going to get Aaron a part-time (very part-time, as in one day a week) job at his office doing computer work. Aaron isn't very excited, but it's a big step for him to get a job and leave the house. But things aren't all roses for him. You remember Nora? The girl he was dating before he came out? Well, she's pregnant and is 90% certain he's the father. You know all those things you learn in sex ed about how to prevent pregnancy? Yeah, they didn't listen either.

My dad--I haven't said much about this situation in awhile, mainly because nothing has come up. He is still, apparently, missing which is fine by me.

My mom and Casey--They are still together, but I'm not sure if it will ever go anywhere. Casey is getting impatient for my mom to act and find a way to get divorced from my father, but since she hasn't yet, I don't blame Casey for getting annoyed. I don't want another dad, and I do not want Jess to be my step-sister so I am hoping Casey leaves.

I promise next time I will actually post something more interesting! I hope everyone else had a more thrilling summer.

My Summer Plans

Okay, so most of my plans are more like what I want to do this summer than what I'll actually be doing, but it will be fun to see how much I am able to cross off when September rolls around.

What I want to do:

• visit Yellowstone
• go hiking in the mountains
• go to the river
• horseback ride
• make mud pies
• go swimming
• blog with Lyra

What I'll actually be doing:

• karate lessons

See? My want list is a lot more fun. JJ will be doing swimming camp for several weeks and Riley has science camp. All three of us plan on teaching our dogs how to do agility. The only thing that is going to stand in the way of my plans is the grown-ups. I kind of need an adult to drive if I want to do most of the things on my list. Since we're out of school, Mother can work a little more since she doesn't have to drive us back and forth to school. Sean does just as much tutoring and classes during the summer as he does teaching in the school year. Aaron doesn't drive so he can't take me anywhere.

I'm optimistic that there will be time, though. After all, I do have three months. Does anyone else have any plans or wishes for the summer?

Road Trip Part 2

Now for the rest of my trip. After spending the night in Chicago, we went to the zoo in the morning. It wasn't the most exciting zoo I've ever been to (Denver's was much better), but it was still fun. Plus I got to wear my new outfit I got at the AGP.

This is me compared to the size of a polar bear. I totally don't want to meet one! I barely come up to it's elbows!

Once we left Chicago we drove to Iowa and stayed the night. From there we headed to South Dakota. I never knew SD was so beautiful! I would love to go back there again. The state really loves its billboards, though. We probably saw over a hundred signs for Wall Drug and the Reptile Gardens. We did stop at Wall Drug and Sean bought a jackalope.

We got a hotel 15 miles from Mt. Rushmore for the night and early the next morning we got to see the mountain.

 

It was different than what I was expecting. I was thinking it would be bigger, but it was so far away. It was completely amazing, though. I'm really glad I got to go on this trip. We went through 8 states (9 if you count our layover in Denver): Ohio, Indiana, Illinois, Iowa, Minnesota, South Dakota, Wyoming, and Montana! I've only been to three of those states previously. It was quite the adventure!

Now it's back to normal life, but I will never forget this trip.

Road Trip

Riley, Sean, and I got back Saturday afternoon. We had a blast, but we were quite exhausted, especially Sean since he had to do all the driving. You know what the most confusing thing was? Trying to figure out what state we were in. Ohio, Indiana, and Illinois do not mark their borders very clearly. We had fun trying to figure where we were and what time zone we were in.

We flew into Ohio and stayed with Sean's friend (the person we were getting the car from) the first night. I though the friend was a dude the whole time, but he turned out to be a woman. She was very nice, but it was hard to get a good sleep after flying all day and being in a strange place. Riley had never been east of the Mississippi River before, so it was even stranger for her.

We were on the road by 8am the next day and stopped in a small town in Ohio to have lunch at a park.

 The park had a really big pond full of little fish. Riley and I had a blast feeding them our lunch. We discovered that the fish loved Nutter Butters, but were afraid of Oreos. They also really liked cheese.

There was a bunch of geese and goslings, too! Sean said we couldn't take them in the car, though. Actually if was amazing that we all fit to begin with. We each had a suitcase and a backpack. At Sean's friend's house we got loaded down with food for the road, too.

After our lunch break we didn't stop again until we got to our stop in Illinois, about two hours from Chicago. We stayed with another friend of Sean's there. Sean was pretty excited to get us some free places to stay and free food. I was excited that his friend had a dog.

The next morning we left again at 8am and headed to Chicago. We had reservations for a hotel there and would have a chance to see some sights. I have lived in Illinois before and been to Chicago, but it has been a long time. It was so bizarre! I loved it, though. It was like another culture compared to Montana. Most of the people were dressed so nicely and always in a hurry. Messenger bags, iPods and headphones, little dogs, and black or khaki coats seemed to be a typical Chicagoan. We had fun picking out the tourists. I'm sure we stood out like crazy!

 We went to the American Girl Place and some stores in the Water Tower Place after we unloaded our stuff in the hotel room. Huge TV! Anyway, after that we walked a few miles to Lake Michigan.

 Riley was fascinated by the water, although the seagulls scared her a little. I think Chicago was a little overwhelming for her in general. She was born near Denver, but never spent much time in the actual city before she and her dad moved to Wyoming.

 I thought the city was gorgeous, but it did make me homesick for Montana. I wanted my clear, blue sky and cows back.

 

 At the beach we made a friend. Her name is Lyra and she has lived in Chicago all her life. We spent awhile playing and talking with her.

Lyra and I decided to become pen pals and possibly co-blog together on another blog. I hope we can find the time to do so. I really want you guys to get to know Lyra. She was a lot of fun. It was sad to have to leave the beach.

I'll post the rest of the trip another day. I'm still pretty tired. But it was an amazing experience.

Ready to Go!

Riley and I have been packing all day and now we are ready to go.

Unfortunately Sean is not even packed yet. Grownups! Riley and her dad have this obsession with strawberry licorice = road trip. Ever since Sean opened the package to divide it (he got 2 pounds!) for plane trip and car trip, they've been practically drooling and way too excited. I'm wondering what I've gotten myself into!

Riley and I each got new shirts for the trip as you can see in the picture. My hoodie is the most comfortable thing you can imagine! The inside is fleece-lined and cozy but not too hot. My new t-shirt is really comfy, too.

I can't wait to head out tomorrow and start the adventure. I don't know if I will be able to post along the way (although I am bringing my laptop). If I can't I'll go picture happy when I get home.

Road Trip!

My apologies for having disappeared off the face of the earth. You wouldn't believe how much homework and essays school decided to cram in these past few weeks. Luckily all that is done now.

I have great news! Mother said I can go on the road trip! Although who I am going with has changed. Olivia's family decided to postpone their trip. Which is fine because I didn't feel totally comfortable going with them since I don't know them to well. Instead I will be going with Riley and Sean!

The plan is this: We are going to fly to Ohio where Sean has a friend. This friend apparently has some cool car that he is selling and Sean wants. We will drive that car back to Montana with stops in Chicago and Mount Rushmore. In Chicago we will get to go to the zoo and the American Girl Place! Riley and I each got a new shirt for the trip. I'm so excited!

Now, I know you're wondering about Aaron. There is no way in the world that he could get on a plane (he does not do well in cramped, crowded places). He is going to stay home and take care of the dogs and he might get his boyfriend to stay over. I think he will be alright. He's been doing pretty good. I guess he met Mac the other day, but you will have to read her blog to hear that story (yes, shameless plugging for my cousin).

Well, I best go finish packing!

Movie Tag

My good friend Sophie has tagged me for the Movie Love Tag. I get to list three movies and tell you why I love them. I'm more a TV person than a movie fan, but I do have a few favorite movies.

1) The X-Files: Fight the Future - Why do I love it? It's The X-Files, of course! I love the alien plot in the movie and the fact that Mulder and Scully are a tiny bit closer to admitting their feelings for each other. It's pretty creepy and suspenseful.

2) The X-Files: I Want to Believe - Why do I love it? Do I need to repeat myself? It's The X-Files, of course! This one isn't as good as the first one (and they look so old!). But it's still a good movie and fun to watch.

3) The Day After Tomorrow - I know, I know, it's not about aliens or ghosts or anything paranormal so why do I love it? Because it scares the crap out of me and I really like natural disaster movies. I think this is one of the best filmed disaster movie with awesome special effects (except for the wolves, epic failure there). This movie keeps me on edge even though I've seen it several times.

Alright, I shall now tag three more people.

Frankie
Rory
Sarah Annaliese