Camping!! Reprise!

We had time to take photos of each other taking photos

The boys played some frisbee

Bryan worked on his hiking stick

Family photo

Hanging around the fire

Liz got some friendship bracelet work done while some of us were preparing dinner.

Roasting dogs

Getting dinner ready

Please give me a hot dog...I guess I'll take pets.

Hot dog!?!?

So once we got everything set up we were able to enjoy the beauty of the evening. Even though it rained off and on, we had a great time around the fire, roasting dogs and mallows, and loving being outside. Jeremy and I were in the tent by 10. I'm not sure what time everyone else went to bed but I think it was around that time too. I'll talk about the morning we all had in my next post. It was a little cold and we were a little crabby. These pics were taken when we were enjoying what camping is all about. We were having fun.

In Memory of Kramer

I don't usually post twice in a day but I really want to pay tribute Kramer, a very special dog and former family member. Jenelle's (Jeremy's sister) service dog, Kramer, ended his 13 year life this morning. He spent 10 years in service then his last 2+ years were spent in retirement. He was a typical lab but he was not a typical dog. He was more to our family than a pet, he was truly a contributing family member. He will be greatly missed!

In honor of Kramer:

Puppy kisses for Leif

Young Kramer was very playful

Jenelle, Jeremy and Kramer posing in front of Shell Falls in WY

Greg, Jenelle, and Kramer at Shell Falls

That same summer we picnicked at a lake and Kramer got to do one of his favorite things: swim

Here's Kramer swimming while Jenelle is kayaking alongside him.

Christmas family photo 2004

Christmas 2004 Kramer loved to help open presents and tear through the paper

Kramer was trained to lay under tables during meals and he got comfy at my wedding and stretched out under our table. You can see his head sticking out in the bottom left hand of the pic.

Our wedding Oct 2005 Johnson family photo

Kramer helped us all get ready before the wedding

He looked very debonaire in his tux

Then Kramer had a good time with us in the limo on the way to the reception

Christmas 2008 Leif, Celia and Kramer playing with wrapping paper

I'm Still Here

Friend, please don't mourn for me
I'm still here, though you don't see.
I'm right by your side each night and day
and within your heart I long to stay.

My body is gone but I'm always near.
I'm everything you feel, see or hear.
My spirit is free, but I'll never depart
as long as you keep me alive in your heart.

I'll never wander out of your sight-
I'm the brightest star on a summer night.
I'll never be beyond your reach-
I'm the warm moist sand when you're at the beach.

I'm the colorful leaves when fall comes around
and the pure white snow that blankets the ground.
I'm the beautiful flowers of which you're so fond,
The clear cool water in a quiet pond.

I'm the first bright blossom you'll see in the spring,
The first warm raindrop that April will bring.
I'm the first ray of light when the sun starts to shine,
and you'll see that the face in the moon is mine.

When you start thinking there's no one to love you,
you can talk to me through the Lord above you.
I'll whisper my answer through the leaves on the trees,
and you'll feel my presence in the soft summer breeze.

I'm the hot salty tears that flow when you weep
and the beautiful dreams that come while you sleep.
I'm the smile you see on a baby's face.
Just look for me, friend, I'm everyplace!

I am thinking about you and your family right now, Jenelle. It's always hard to lose a pet but somehow it seems like this is more of a loss. Kramer touched so many lives and so many people that I love and deeply care for. I am eternally grateful to Kramer for what he's brought to my life and the lives of those I love and some that I've never met. That is how I will always remember him. I love you, Jenelle, Greg, Leif, and Kramer.

Camping!!

Recovering from the night before.

Packing up to go camping.

Quick stop at the Bailey Country Store for propane.

Setting up our tent

Putting the 'kitchen' over the table so we had a dry area

Setting up our 'kitchen'

The creek our campsite was on.

Our site almost set up

Site #6

It can be difficult to start a fire with wet wood

It rained off and on during set up but it was beautiful! (and cold...and wet)

Hauling wood

Everyone helped. Thanks Willme!

So, Wednesday after recovering from our hangover we packed up to go camping. The sun finally came out early afternoon and we took the opportunity to pack up and head to the site before it started raining again because, darn it, we were going to camp, rain or shine. These pics are from when we first arrived and set up camp. More tomorrow of us enjoying the evening once we got settled. Yay camping!!

Family in Town 2

The same night we went to Mt. Evans, the boys (Jeremy, William and Bryan) went on a short Jeep trip and the rest of us napped or at least rested. 14,000 ft can really sap your energy. That night we busted out the blender and had a little margarita party. We played Yahtzee but that ended after the first game due to wet score cards. It was a blast though. We will have to do it again very soon!!!! Yay tequila!

Family in Town

The top of Mt Evans Rd. It looks like you're in a plane the way the clouds are.

Willme on top of the world! Jeremy on a ledge to the left

Chrissy and Butch setting up the tripod

We did the 10 pics and the first 5 or so are very nice. This is the 10th. It's my favorite. I think Chris should use it as their Christmas photo :D

Okay, after Vegas Chris and Butch and the kids came up to see us. We had a lot of fun even though the weather didn't cooperate every day. These are pics of our Mt Evans day which was the day after they arrived. I've been up to Mt Evans three times now and this time was the most beautiful. It was cloudy but the clouds were at about 10,000 ft so once we got on top we were above the clouds. What a great day. It wore us out but we still had fun. More tomorrow.

Vegas

Me, Sarah and Rhonda. Someone called us Sarah 1 and Sarah 2 when we were out and we said "Oh, no!! That is not happening!" So we decided we are Sarah 1 and Sarah 1a. They are interchangeable, by the way ;)

Sarah B, Rhonda and I before heading out to a club

I have almost caught up to present day!! After returning from a great trip to Wyoming, I worked two nights then left from work to my friend Rhonda's house to head to the airport. We had a critical care nursing conference that Thursday and Friday then stayed to play until Sunday morning. It was Rhonda, Sarah B. and I, the three musketeerettes. Jeremy made fun off us at breakfast this morning because we were giving the waiter a hard time. He said I bet you guys were something else in Vegas. I said "Vegas didn't know what hit 'em!!" Anyway... the conference was wonderful. It was worth every bit of time and money we spent there. The whole first day was a CCRN review. In nursing you have 'boards' or the NCLEX which is a national test that certifies you've learned enough to practice (that's the test Patricia recently passed, Yay!). Then there are special certification tests that are optional tests that basically say that you are an expert in a certain field. There are tons of them. If you want to be a certified ER, neuro, cardiac, psych, rehab etc. The CCRN is the test to certify you as an 'expert' critical care nurse. It's a difficult test but it looks great on a resume, especially if you want to teach other people some day. Anyway, there were other good times. None to be described here because as someone from Vegas told me (they rewrote the slogan) "What happens in Vegas didn't really happen" So, it was a ll a fun dream. More to come!!