Sorry it's been so long since I have posted a blog. Thing have been hectic around here...

Molly and I flew to Chicago for her cousin Noah's wedding a few weekends ago. We had a great time and it's always fun to be around family. It makes us realize how much we miss everyone and how we wish we lived to closer to one of our families.



We spent some time in Downtown Chicago and also got a chance to visit the Botanical Gardens. We also ate like a couple of pigs at the rehearsal dinner and the wedding as well. Steve got a small break from his normal teasing from the girls as my giant ear cyst provided entertainment for all. It also required a trip to a 24 emergency clinic. I'm always good for a few laughs.

Despite having our luggage redirected (as usual) on the way home it was a great trip. Betsy brought a big bag full of stuff for the little one. She picked out some really cute things and did well at finding stuff that is neither blue nor pink. I know she had fun shopping and we loved getting to see everything she bought. Thanks Bets! Molly also got a little shopping with Mom and sis and they were able to buy her some cute maternity clothes. She even got to try on a pregnant belly. I even
benefited with an expected father book in which we read my cyst could have been part of my sympathetic pregnancy symptoms. Everyone got a good laugh out of that one. Thanks to everyone for a wonderful weekend in the Windy City.

I started my backcountry season the day after we got back. I drove over to the east side of the park with my supervisor (Erika) and then hiked in. I helped some of the east side rangers get their stations set up and then hiked back to the west side of the park. In my 8 days in the woods, I climbed a 14,000 foot peak, dug a new hole for a toilet, cleaned half a dozen fire pits, and hiked over 70 miles. I also learned a new shortcut that gave me the multiple scrapes on my legs that I'm sporting. Tomorrow I will hike into my patrol area my Erika and her husband, Dave, to set up my yurt and my food will come out in the helicopter on the 8th. I will hike back home on Thursday, be home for 4 days, then start my 10 on, 4 off schedule. It's going to be extra hard to leave my wonderful wife this summer. I love her so much and think of her all day when I hike through the wilderness.



Molly is doing so well. I'm so proud of her. It's hotter than Hades around these parts (about 110 or so the last few days) and she manages to work hard, take the dogs for walks, and keep things going while I'm gone. I'm a lucky man.

We go back to the doctor on the 16th. We are still trying to think of names to call the little one before it comes out. Something like Peanut, or Snowball...something that is sexless, but cute. Any suggestions?