Female Rufous Hummingbird

Over the last 20 years that Wayne and I have lived here, we've been graced with the pleasure of having Rufous and Broadtail humming birds visit us in July and August just before they migrate south and after the abundance of wildflowers in the mountains have been depleated. This year, they were a little late, having appeared here about 10 days ago. They are always a site to behold. We are amazed at their grace and beauty and their combativeness. They fight like crazy to defend their territory; the nectar. This is a female Roufus, we think, that came to feed about 8:00 p.m. The guys must have been bedded down for the night, so she had the nectar all to herself.

Gregory Loves to Bowl

Gregory goes bowling every week. This is Mindy who was helping him bowl last Friday. As you can see, he gets very excited when he thinks he will get a strike. Last Friday, he scored 102!!

Gregory Loves to Bowl

Gregory's first try, with Mindy's help.

Gregory Gets the Spare

Mindy helped Gregory get the spare!!

Fishing on the Platte River

We've been trying to catch up with life this summer and have spent a fair amount of time at our townhouse in Saratoga. The Platte River is a special place for fishing, for watching the wildife, and for contemplation.

A Gift of Peace for You

These beautiful moments of inspiration have been brought to you by......God.

Flyfishing at the Lindzey Ranch

I hadn't been flyfishing in a couple of years. My personal fishing guide, Wayne, suggested we go to the Lindzey Ranch and he would give me a few lessons. The hay was almost ready to be harvested. As we walked through the fields to the Little Laramie River, we could smell the lovely perfume of the clover. My guide was very helpful and I even caught two fish, one was a cutthroat. I hope I don't wait two years to do this again. Practice makes perfect. I will hire this guide again.

Celebrating the 4th of July with the Sheridan Huberts

For the 4th of July, we made our way to Sheridan to spend the holiday with the Sheridan Huberts. Wayne and David had lots of fun fishing at one of David's favorite places (top secret). I got to go with Ella, Jack and Missi to the Brandford Brinton Memorial where Meggie and several other children, are making a garden there. They have planted vegetables and and flowers and tend the garden every Friday. What a beautiful place to be. We all went to Big Horn on July 4 to watch fireworks. They were fantastic and we had a great time!

Jack and Grandpa Enjoy the Fireworks

Here's Grandpa Wayne enjoying one of his favorite pasttimes--holding a sleeping baby, namely Jack. Jack fell asleep, but later he woke up. When he opened his eyes, he smiled and laughed at the fire in the sky--then he fell asleep again.

Fireworks

These are just some of the maganificant fireworks that Jack and Grandpa Wayne and the rest of us enjoyed on the 4th of July!

Meggie Knitting

Meggie asked me to show her how to knit. She was a very good student and caught on to the technique pretty fast. She did a nice job. Maybe she'll teach Ella

Meg and Ella showed us how they can read

It's truling amazing how fast these girls are growing up. They really love school and it's obvious they really study hard. Grandpa and I are really proud of them.

Meggie Reading

Meggie showed up how she can read. Jack was helping in the backgroung.

Reading with Grandpa

Even though the girls know how to read, they still don't mind being read a story by Grandpa.

Fun with Kiddos

We all thought Jack was ready to crawl during the time we spent in Sheridan. Here's Grandpa Wayne trying to show Jack the ropes. Jack and Grandpa had lots of fun just being together.

4th of July Fun!!

We got to spend a wonderful 4th of July in Sheridan with David and Missi, Meg, Ella and Jack. Jack looked so cute in his Carharts and cap. Meg and Ella were sooooo sweet, as usual, and all of them kept us entertained.

Gregory Walking in the Pool

Aquatic Exercise

Gregory goes swimming at the Laramie Rec Center every Monday. He really loves being in the water. Two of his caregivers, JD and Katie go with him and they do exercises in the pool. It's such a pleasure for him to get out of the wheel chair and float around in the water. JD and Katie even make him walk in the water. When Gregory's in the water, he smiles all the time.

Gregory in the Pool

After swimming, Gregory loves the Jacuzzi

After swimming, Gregory loves to get into the Jacuzzi. And this is how he does it. Katie and J.D. go swimming with him and then put him into the Jacuzzi so he can relax his muscles. Then, he goes home and takes a nap.

Gregory Loves the Jacuzzi

FOX TV

For two nights last week while we were in Saratoga, we sat in the back of Steve and Nancy's garage and watched FOX TV. On the hill in back of our townhouses there was a vixen and six kits. The babies are now almost the size of their mom. She watched over them while they played, ran, and scurried around. It was so much fun to watch them. Here are our neighbors Jeff and Tina Bullock and Steve and Nancy Facciani and Wayne watching reality wildlife TV.

Wildlife Watching

Mom's Ever Watchful Eyes

This vixen has been really busy caring for her six kits. She looks a little worse for wear as she is pretty thin and scraggley. I guess you would be too if you had sextuplets!!

The Six Little Foxes

The little foxes certainly are busy. They run and jump and play with each other. They chase their brothers and sisters around and catch mice and voles. They are almost as big as their mom and will soon be leaving the den. This was a real treat to be able to watch them from our back alley.

Doe and Fawns

Two weeks ago, I noticed a pregnant doe in the area across from our alley. She gave birth to twins. These are a few of the photos we took of the mama and babies.

Titus and Benson Cut the Back 40!

We have two beautiful draft horses that live up the block from us. Their owner lets them keep down the vegitation in the back of our townhouses and they do a great job.

Work, Work, Work

It's not all fun and games when we go to Saratoga. Sometimes we actually have to do some work. Here's Wayne cutting our lawn and the neighbors' with our antique lawn mower--they both do a great job!!

Happy Father's Day

Wayne spent a nice Father's Day in Casper with his granchildren. Here is Phil, Tim and Grandpa Wayne.

Adventures with the Casper Grandchildren

Wayne and I took care of the Casper grandkids while Phil and Jodi were out of town for three days. We had a great time together just being able to be with and watch how they each have grown into such fascinating and sweet kids. Savannah is not in the photo because she was sleeping.