SoUtH aMeRiCa

Every summer we try to go somewhere new in the world. This year was Jerry's choice. Jerry has always wanted to climb a 20,000 foot mountain and chose a mountain in The Andes called Parinacota, located on the border of Bolivia and Chili. Climbing the mountain wasn't hard on our bodies but because of the elevation breathing was quite difficult. It was like plugging your nose and breathing through a straw. The climb was well worth it and the view beautiful. After climbing Parinacota we headed over to Argentina to see some of the world's largest waterfalls. The Iguazu Falls are located right on the border between Brazil and Argentina. They were quite spectacular with over 275 waterfalls.

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SuMmEr FuN!

We have been keeping very busy with summer so far and it won't be slowing down! First, we were able to join my family in Yellowstone for a camping trip and then we headed off to Logan for a friend's wedding. Upon returning to Sheridan I was home for about a week and then headed back to Utah to visit my family in Ogden. While I was there we had a Bridal Shower for Chelsi and welcomed our newest nephew Keaton. I have had a great time this summer, being able to spend lots of time with family. (Warning Picture Overload!)

PlAnT cHaLlEnGe

The plant challenge started just over a year ago. I'm happy to say that the plants are alive and still doing well. Once I had reached my 6 month mark of the plants still being alive I moved up to having a pet fish. The fish was Turbo and was a member of my Kindergarten class; however, I am sad to say that for some reason after having Turbo for about 6 months he killed over. With some reluctance on my part and much reluctance on Jerry's part I am attempting to take on 2 hamsters. I just hope I don't kill these little guys off too! I got the hamsters from a student in my class. In the picture below you can see Chewy getting a drink of water and if you look closely you can see a picture of Rhino in the wheel (my Kindergarteners named the hamsters). These little guys are so adorable but man are they fast!

OuT wItH tHe OlD aNd In WiTh ThE nEw!

About 3 weeks ago, during my Spring Break from school, Jerry and I went up to Billings with some friends to do some shopping and have lunch. It's about a 2 hour drive for us but that is the closest city we have so it's nice to go for a visit every now and then. While there, we decided that we would trade in our old Pontiac Grand Am. After testing driving and being attacked by car salesman vultures we found the perfect car, a cute new Honda Accord. I just love this car! Now I knew that my brother Brady had a white Honda Accord but I didn't realize that it is the EXACT same as mine until after we bought the car and were driving it back to Sheridan. Brady doesn't think it is very cool to have the same car as his sister. Sorry bud ! :)

The Old

The New

DuCk MaStEr MeLiSsA

About a month ago I was able to go to Arkansas for a teaching conference. I had a great time and got lots of great ideas for teaching! While there, we stayed in the Peabody hotel. It was the nicest hotel I have ever stayed in. The hotel has 4 ducks that spend their day in the hotel lobby fountain. Each day at 5 they have the Peabody Duck March where the ducks get out of the water and walk on a red carpet to the elevator where they ride up to their Royal Duck Palace to spend the night. Well the hotel allows guests to be Honarary Duck Master. In being an Honarary Duck Master you get to lead the ducks out of the pond, on the red carpet, into the elevator, and back up to their Royal Duck Palace. While staying at the Peabody I got to be an Honarary Duck Master. It was a lot of fun and my Kindergarten class just loved seeing the pictures!

EuRoPe

This post is long overdue. Late July Jerry and I got to head over to Europe for about 3 weeks. It was awesome! The following posts are the highlights from our trip. Enjoy!

AmStErDaM

We started and ended our trip in Amsterdam, which is where we flew into and out of. It is very different than our culture since prostitution and marijuana are legal there. They have an area of the city known as the Red Light District. The Red Light District has street lamps that have red lightbulbs and that is where women would be in windows soliciting themselves for prostitution. Some of the highlights of Amsterdam were:

*The Canals through the city

*The buildings so close to the canal and so close together

*Van Gough Museum (the museum was awesome but we didn't get any pictures)