Wind River

This was our second night at Island Lake. We were very tired after finally making it to this lake. It was a climb of 1.4 miles from Upper Silas Lake. We set up camp a distance from the lake, but had a nice spring running 25 yards from camp. Also there was firewood everywhere, which we took advantage of.

Wind River

This was our first night. We started hiking at 4:00 pm and ran out of daylight. We found this meadow with a stream running through it and made camp. I quickly caught several brook trout and we had a quick dinner before the rain hit us. We were safe in the tent all night and in the morning it turns out we were .3 miles to Upper Silas Lake. We stopped there for 2 hours and caught several fish before heading to Island Lake.

Wind River Mountains

Isaac and I took a backpack trip into the Wind River mountains. I had never been there and choose a basin that was 5 miles into the main lake. The hike was difficult as we gained over 1,500 feet in elevation. I've included several pictures. Isaac did very well carrying his pack. He was ready for the trip physically, but we came home a day early because he got homesick and was crying about not wanting to fish anymore and wanted to go home.

More of Snowy range Medicine Bow National Forest

In the mountains again

We are starting to settle in here in Cheyenne. We have found a neat alpine area just west of Larame with lots of lakes. We can drive right to many of the lakes or hike in with many trailheads in the area. It is all above 10,000 feet so it's a great way to get out of the summer heat. We are enjoying it while we can because the road is only open 5 months out of the year due to heavy snowfall.

The kids love to go fishing, but the girls mainly like to throw rocks in the water. Isaac is great at casting, but doesn't ever seem to catch fish.

Isaac and I have already gone backpacking and we are so happy to be out of the midwest where you cannot due any of this stuff.

My job is going well, but is very busy at times. I think it will turn out to be a good job.

Isaac in the Uintahs

Isaac took his first trip into the Uintahs on July 5th. My high school friend Dan joined us. After being in the midwest for 8 years this was much needed time in the high country.

The fishing was actually good and not very many people. Isaac had some bites, but did not ever hook a fish on his snoopy pole, but he could sure cast pretty far.

We did eat some trout and Isaac actually ate some. I can't wait to do some more trips.

Cheyenne at last!

We finally made it to Wyoming, unloaded our stuff and headed to Utah to see family. After a good visit I came back to Cheyenne to study for my board exams and Emily and the kids drove to Hurricane to see family down there.
I just got the internet today. My new email address is nicatator@bresnan.net

I have the new computer up and running, but haven't had time to get old files downloaded.
I start work on Wednesday and am ready for that.

No more Kansas

We will be moving one week from today. I'm packing my computer this weekend, so we won't be able to check our emails very often. Also I will rename the blog at some point. I plan on getting internet service the third week of July, so it might be a month before the next post.

Savannah and anesthesia

Savannah had surgery today. She had BMT and adenoidectomy (tubes and adenoids).

She did great until she woke up and was out of control. They brought us back to try and calm her down and that didn't help. They gave her versed and demerol and didn't help her. Screaming and kicking, pulling at her IV. Not fun at all. I wanted to wait in the car while Emily calmed her down. They finally let us take her home. She's doing better here at home. I always knew she was a difficult child.

The end of the catfish!

I caught some catfish over the holiday weekend. Nothing like catching fish with hotdogs as bait. We threw them all back. The pond is in our neighborhood and the water is always very dirty. My friend Michael and I stayed up until 1:00 am catching fish and talking. I cannot wait to catch some trout in some nice, clean water.

Isaac did catch his first fish last week. He was proud. It was a nice catfish. Even Savannah wanted to hold a fishing pole.

Issac really tired

These pictures were taken on the ride home from the Buffalo River. Isaac had fallen asleep with a pretzel in his mouth. He had a great time, but the sun and long day caught up with him.

Eric and Isaac

Isaac loves to be with Eric. He loves when Eric comes over once a week to do therapy. He was especially happy to have him along for the trip.

Our campsite on the river. Perfect weather. No bugs are out yet. The leaves were not all out, so I imagine it gets even more spectacular in May.

Isaac, Eric, and me near the falls.

The Falls

Buffalo River

We had heard about a nice waterfall off the river 3/4 of a mile. We made the hike up and again I was shocked that I was still in the Midwest. The waterfall was at least 100 feet high. There were some smaller cascading falls as we hiked up the river. Reminded me of the west.

Buffalo River

I have been wanting to float the Buffalo river for several years now. I heard about it from my cousin Zach, who took a trip to the Buffalo river while attending law school in Kansas. It is the country's only National River. Located in Northern Arkansas made it a 6-7 hour drive from Wichita. The weather in Wichita two weeks prior to the trip had been in the 80s, but of course the week of the trip was snowing.

Eric has done behavioral therapy with Isaac for 3 years now and he wanted to do the trip with us. Isaac doesn't know how to swim yet, so I really needed another adult. My original plan was to float 3 days and two nights, camping along the river. Due to the bad weather we ended up two days and one night.

I was shocked at how beautiful the river and surroundings were. I could not believe I was still in the Midwest. The weather was 60-70s for the trip and no rain in sight.

The night did get cold and my new sleeping bag(10 degrees) did not keep me warm. Cheap bag!!

It's time for an update on the Larsen Family. We are in our final months in Wichita. The only person that won't miss Kansas is Nick, he's ready to move on. Me and the kids, on the other hand like it here and are feeling a little apprehensive about the move. We have made lots of friends here and are very involved. I just hope that Cheyenne will be a good move for us. I do wish we were moving closer to home, but we're getting a little further West with each move.
Isaac is so smart. I just had a meeting with his school teacher and principal, they informed me that he is above grade level in reading and math. The only area he is below average in is social and verbal skills. He is improving, but still has a long way to go. Isaac's teacher thinks he's ready to go to a regular ed kindergarten classroom. He's been in a communications disorder classroom. We'll see how it works out, he does need to continue to be challenged. We are grateful for all of the people that have worked with him to make as much progress as he has. It will be hard for him to leave people that he's worked with for over 3 years here.
The girls are doing great! Sophia is turning into a little spunky, sassy girl. She is starting to put two words together which is so exciting! She'll say Mommy's bike, or Daddy's elbow. Her personality changed a few months ago, and she is so assertive. Nick started calling her squirt months ago, and it really fits her, she's just a "little squirt"! Savannah used to be the outgoing one, and now she's shy and intraverted. Savannah is talking a little, but not nearly as much as Sophia. They both use sign language very well. Sophia's favorite sign is "candy" and Savannah's favorite thing to ask for in sign language is "cheese". They are darling little girls, but are getting harder to take places. They don't like to sit in a stroller or shopping cart anymore, they'd rather run free and touch everything they possibly can. They love being outside, but when it's time to go back inside they throw big fits and kick and scream all the way in. They are starting to know what they want and when they want it. Savannah is still sweet enough to give kisses, Sophia is too cool. We love our 3 children very much and feel blessed to have a happy family.