Home Coming!

Last night around 7:00, 3 Hillcrest seniors showed up at the house with a video camera out of the blue, they marched in the house went straight to Dawn and told her that she had won. Dawn will be on the homecoming court next Friday night representing the sophomore class. Mandy and I are just floored that this has happened so soon. She has been in school now for 4 weeks. Dawn must keep it a secret along with the other grade winners. Next week, the winners from each class will be taken after school by one of the teachers to Davids Bridal here in Idaho Falls. The store is donating (more of a borrow) the dresses for home coming. The girls will be able to pick out the dress they want and be fitted for next weeks game. Friday there will be an assembly at the school where they will announce the winners in front of the school and the video of them rushing in peoples houses to tell them will be played. Mandy and I were invited to join the assembly. Later that day there will be a parade which Dawn will be in riding in a convertible representing the sophomore class. I hate this part, but I will not be able to walk with her on the field. They are doing what Pineland use to do. They will be driven onto the field in a convertible. I remember when Anna Ashley won home coming and I also remember that is how they were escorted onto the playing field during half time. But regardless this is a very exciting time for Dawn.. She is completely amazed that she has been choose by her new school to do this.. I will be posting pictures and videos of all the events next week. Should be a blast.. And Go Pack!!!

Dawn's Homecoming..

With only being halfway into the first qtr of her first year here Dawn sent me a text today with this picture. She has been nominated to represent the sophomore class at the homecoming game along with two other girls. I am not sure when we will know the results of the votes, but there is a 1 in 3 chance that I will get to walk on the football field during homecoming. Oh and Dawn too.. If she wins or not we think its great that she has been excepted so fast by so many already.. I wonder if they would frown on me wearing a Colquitt County Packers hat on the field? Is that being insensitive?

Ribbon Cutting For Cives Steel NWD

We had our grand opening last Wednesday. The Governor of Idaho attended as well as all the executive management of Cives Steel Corporation & Cives Viking company's. Mandy and the girls attended and I ended up being a pretty fun event. All the family's and locals that were invited were able to take a tour of the plant and offices. Of course, I have to add something funny that happened... Dawn and I were in my office at the time the Governor and his entourage came through the drafting department. My general manager Ben introduced me to him and he started to ask me questions about my department. Well of course my accent sparked his curiosity and asked "where are you from"? I said "Georgia, South Georgia". He said I can tell. At this point the media of 2 or 3 different stations set up their camera's in my office pointing them at us talking. This of course started to make me a little nervous. (All I could think about was saying something stupid and someone watching this going "Yep, another southerner".. Well he started talking about Nat the Governor of Georgia and how he had just attended a meeting with him. Well the only think I could think to say at that point was "So how is ol Nat doing these days"? Like I actually knew him personally or something. Ha.. Well I got a long story about what ol Nat's family has been up to the past few months. Ha.. Once we were done exchanging our pleasantries he look down at Dawn who was sitting in a chair in front of my desk. I introduced her to the Governor and Dawn shakes his hand (this all getting caught on by the media) and all the folks proceed on their marry way down the hall. I look over at Dawn and say "would it have killed you to stand up to shake the Governors hand hunny"?? One remaining news anchor here over heard this and laughed.. Luckily I didn't see that make the news.. Thanks goodness... Here are a few pictures of the event as well as a link to the news report given by one of the news crews that night. News Link: http://www.localnews8.com/video/Sky-s-the-limit-for-Cives-plant-in-Ucon/-/461276/21377862/-/92ra5j/-/index.html Pictures

Menan Butte Hike

This past weekend the girls and I decided to check out the Menan Butte I have been hearing about. The Butte is an old inactive volcano about 30 miles north of Idaho Falls around a small town named Rigby. The hike was much steeper than our Palisades hike a few weeks back but much shorter. In all the hike took about an hour and a half to reach the rim of the volcano. It was a great little hike and view was really great when we reached the top. There was actually a trail that would lead you down into the bowel of the volcano but opted not to venture much further due to Dad being completely pooped when we got to the top. But it was very much worth it. We are looking forward to our next hike at Mesa Falls.

Palisades Hike

Saturday we decided to take a break from unpacking and enjoy a day in Idaho. Our new friends Heath and Shanda (who have also transferred here from Georgia with Cives) went with us on a hike along Palisades. Palisades is located about 40 miles east of Idaho Falls. The hike ended up being a bit further than we had originally anticipated. To the lower lake portion of the hike was 4 miles in. Meaning a total of 8 miles. 4 in 4 out. Probably wasn’t the best idea in the world to do for our first one but we all made it. Allie Rai and Dawn hiked it like champs. Mandy and I were ready to throw in the towel after about 2 miles. Between my legs aching, my back hurting, and the lack of oxygen at that altitude how we made it the rest of the way was just either luck or the grace of God himself. I really enjoyed the times where we would stop and rest and then a 6yr old girl would be running up past us like she was on some sort of military exercise and not even breathing hard. Little show off!! I have to admit we did have a great time! The next day we paid for it. I didn’t realize it was possible for your butt cheeks to be soar but it is. During the hike there were some really breathe taking views? I took as many pictures as possible but it seemed every time I stopped to snap a photo I would be lagging behind and everyone would eventually have to stop and wait on me. Nothing like being the guy holding everyone up every 20 minutes. We are all planning another hike together soon however a smaller/shorter one if possible.

The Big Move

Well the move went as good as it could I guess. The girls had a blast for their first time flying. We departed Valdosta at 5:45am June 2nd. We arrived in Idaho Falls around 2:00pm Mt time. I was a little concerned how they would endure a 3hr layover in ATL and a 2hr layover in Salt Lake but they did great. When we landed in Idaho Falls we took my truck and checked into a hotel alongside the Snake River. This is the same place Mandy and I stayed when we came to visit for the first few times. They have a really pretty walk way they call the “Green-Way” here. The girls really enjoyed it. The falls are also along the Green-Way. Once we were settled into the hotel Mandy and I took the girls to their new house for the first time. I was planning on walking them through the house to give a nice tour but that is not exactly what happened. Once I unlocked the door I nearly got trampled as they rushed through. It reminded me of the Black Friday Wal-Mart shoppers when they first open the doors... The following day we got up, had some breakfast and made our way back to the house. The movers were to be there around noon with all our stuff. (Hence the reason we stayed at the hotel). When they arrived it was a mad house. Movers walking in with boxes left and right asking where’s this go, where’s that go.. On and on.. Boxes eventually made their way to the ceiling and space started running out. Once they were done and after signing around 75 pages of forms they left. There we were standing in a jungle of cardboard and furniture. Mandy looked at me and just said “Umm.. huh..” It took nearly all week to get the boxes unpacked and half way settled. We (mainly Mandy) worked on those boxes from early morning till late at night for 5 days straight. I have to say she has really done a lot and great job. The house is coming together. Still have lots of pictures to hang up and a garage to organize. The girls love their new place. Dawn has the entire basement to herself most of the time and has nick named it her “girl cave” . Since I have been here I have made some great friends from work. One couple just happens to also be from Georgia. Heath and Shanda. They are awesome. Shanda has also asked to keep Allie Rai during the summer. That is big help. Yesterday the family along with Heath and Shanda went to Palisades hiking. That will be another post after this one. But long story short the girls fell in love with Shanda. Tomorrow will be another big day. Mandy has her first day at work, I have new hires starting, Dawn’s first day of Cheerleading begins, and Allie Rai has her first day with Shanda. Should be interesting…

Indiana Trip

Well I have now been in Indiana for 2 weeks. It feels like ive been here for 2 mths. If anyone had any future plans or dreams of seeing Indiana let me go ahead and give you sound advice. "DON'T"!!!!! There is nothing here but flat fields, wind turbines, and rude folks! One more week to go and I can write this Place off! Oh and when it comes to football, ha, im getting trashed talked by Purdue fans. Really??? Do they even televise Purdue? Did anyone even realize Purdue was located in Lafeyette IN.??? I didnt.. Well one more week and i'll be back with my girls. Only for a short weekend but cant wait. Really missing them. Then a weeek in Atlanta. Oh boy!