Pictures to follow - - sometime.

We finally made it!!! It was a long trip, and the truck and trailer were packed to capacity. We ended up getting a small 2 bedroom duplex because the guy we were going to be renting from finally decided to get back to Jim and tell him that the house wouldn't be ready. This left us scrambling Saturday night to find a place to move into on Sunday. We got everything unloaded and then discovered the couch wouldn't fit in the door, so pull up a spot of carpet and sit yourself down! Anyway, we won't have internet service for a little while and therefore no pictures, but it's pretty here and pretty hot. We don't a/c and I'm roasting.

Cortez, Colorado or bust.

Cortez, here we come!! Jim has secured employment with the Cortez, Colorado school district and we will be moving there. The only problem so far has been that they want him there monday the 18. We still don't know for sure how we are going to do it, but I think right now the plan is that Jim will go before the girls and I and find a place to live and then I'll drive the U-haul down with the girls in a week or so.

We'll keep everyone posted.

The Hillstead Reunion

The reunion this year was held at the end of fair week. There were a lot of people there and they had some fun activities for the kids. Jaycie tried to catch a pig, that wasn't too successful. She barely wanted to touch it so even when the pig got close she wasn't too interested in grabbing it. A few had brought some Rangers, those things that have 4 wheels and drive kind of like a car. Jaycie, Saree, and their cousin Amelia were having fun on that.

The fair went well for me this year, I guess it was my turn. Due to the definitions given for professional and ameture divisions, basically if you have ever been paid for photographic work, even if it is just as a lab technician, you have to participate as a professional. This isn't something I'm particularly comfortable with because I don't see myself as an "artist", but my photo of the flowers took best in show, and the photo of the trees took runner up. I'm really happy.

We also introduced Jaycie and Saree to cotton candy, what a mess! I've never seen anyone tank down on anything so fast in my life. Over all the fair was a disappointment though. The people that they had contracted to do the carnival backed out on them last minute so there was very little there in the way of entertainment.

Ely - BIG difference compared to what we're used to.

As you all probably know Ely didn't work out. I wasn't too disappointed though, I didn't like it very much. You've noticed the pictures and everything has a casino and there are at least 3 houses of ill repute there (ick). Anyway, onward and upward.

No mutton bustin for Jaycie

Today was another adventure in the world of junior rodeo. Jim left at about 7:30 this morning so that we could be sure to get Jaycie signed up to mutton bust today, she talked about it all the way to town, but when it came to getting on one of those woolly beasts she wouldn't do it. I tried bribing her with bubble gum and a root beer but she still wouldn't do it. They were giving out $2 bills as prizes and she still got one of those. I wouldn't get her the other things we offered as a bribe and were rewarded for it by a mini melt down, then she realized she was going to get to chase a chicken and all was forgotten.

We then went to the in-laws and ran through sprinklers and slid down water slides. Saree had a run-in with a wasp and has a couple of swollen fingers. She's a tough little nut though because she just wimpered and said owee, not the full blown screams of torture that her sister has given for the same wound.

Off on another road trip!

Our trip to Montana wasn't fruitful. It was rather heart breaking considering that the superintendent at Drummond, Ms. Logan, told Jim that he was her choice. Apparently the school board over-ruled her, we don't know why. She then talked to one of her good friends, a superintendent in Whitehall, and set up an interview for Jim there. This super also told Jim that the interview went well, but it was not to be. I'm not quite sure why she is trying so hard to find Jim a job, but we are very grateful to Ms. Logan, she has a sister that is a principal/vice principal at a school in Ely, Nevada - said eely. He has an interview there on Tuesday, and if that doesn't pan out he has an interview at a school on the high-line in Montana. I can't remember the name but it is about 40 miles to the east of Harlem. Right back where we were before (kinda).

This time I'll be sure to take pictures. The ones on the internet make the area look pretty, and according to their chamber of commerce website it doesn't get super hot or super cold there. It can get below zero but it isnt a guarentee every year.