Home-School Fieldtip #1

Going to Timpanogos Cave
My mom and I went to Timpanogos Cave. We went there because I am learning about rocks. In class I have learned that stalactites and stalagmites are Chemical Sedimentary Rock, so we went on a home school fieldtrip to the cave to see these special rocks.
We went on Friday, September 16, 2011, after my classes at South Hills Middle School finished. On our way I ate four doughnuts and a banana. When we finally arrived at the cave we were lucky because there was a parking spot right in the front of the visitor center. We got out of the truck and went to buy our tickets to the cave.
After buying the tickets we headed to the trail head. At the trail head we listened to the safety rules of hiking on the mountain. Then my mom remembered the park sponsored a Junior Ranger program so we went back inside the visitor center and got the booklet.
Finally, we started our 1 ½ mile hike to the cave. Before we reached the top of the mountain a ranger, who was walking the trail, said that someone had died on the mountain a month ago.
When we finally reached the top of the mountain we had to wait for a few minutes for the next tour. When the tour ranger came we gave him our tickets and entered the cave.
The Ranger began the tour by talking about the history of the cave. A man named Marvin Hanson was cutting down trees and he saw mountain lion tracks. So he went exploring to try to find the mountain lion. He found an opening of a cave so he went inside the cave still following the mountain lion tracks. He never saw the mountain but he did keep a secret for a while and then began giving tours in the cave.
I also learned that there are actually three cave’s in one. There is the Hanson’s Cave, the Middle Cave and then the Timpanogos Cave. My favorite cave is Hanson’s cave because I love the story of the mountain lion and next year my dad, my brothers and sister are going to take the special tour to explore that cave more. I also liked one of the caves largest stalactites which they call the "heart" because it is shaped like a heart.
At the end of the tour the ranger talked me about what he does at his job. He said he has to keep the resources safe, keep the people safe and give tours. I also asked him how long he has been a ranger, he told me that he has only been a ranger for four years.
We had to hurry down the mountain because Jacob left a text saying the his cross country race was earlier than he thought.
On Saturday we went back up the mountain so that I could pass off the Junior Ranger. I got a patch with a mountain lion on it.
We wanted to collect some rocks, but you can't do this at a National Monument so we got back into the truck and out of the park and pulled along the river where we collected some rocks.
I had a lot of fun on this fieldtrip. If hope we take another home-school fieldtrip soon.

Wild West Show

My family and my Grandma’s family went to The Wild West show at Spanish Fork. When we got there we bought our tickets. My mom made arrangements so we all could sit together at the show. While my mom did that the rest of us went to watch the sheep dog competition.
After the dog sheep competition we shot guns. My mom and Grandpa shot. My mom shot three bullets and shot the balloons. She got a poster of Jesse James. Then me and LaRae shot. I shot three balloons. Everyone was shocked that I shot the balloons. I got a poster of Billy the Kid.
Next we went to the Indian Village. My mom and I and my grandma went to see a flute player. He played a lot of them for us.
Then we all went to the Rendezvous. We walked and walked to the Rendezvous, it was a far way away. My mom bought me a kit that has flint and steel and a glass mirror to make fire without a match.
Then we all went to dinner at Arctic Circle. My dad and Jacob came while we were there. I had a Ranch Burger and a lime ricke drink.
After we ate we went back to the Wild West Show. We waited for a while for the Wild West show to start. Finally, the show started. Buffalo Bill did trick shooting. There were also Miniature Mules racing, and there was Stunt riding. There was also a stage coach, and there were Indian dancers.
I really had fun at Wild West Show. I want to go next year to the Wild West Show. I want to do a report on Buffalo Bill.

My Eagle Scout Board of Review

My Eagle Scout Board of Review
On April 25, 2010 I had my eagle board of review. During the day I was excited, but when I put my uniform on that night, I was scared.
When I arrived at the church I waited on the couch until they asked me to come into the room. When I went into the Board of Review room my mom and dad went in with me.
Bishop Peterson explained what was going to happen during my Board of Review. Then my mom and dad were asked to tell something about me. After they were dune they were asked to leave, leaving me all alone.
After my mom and dad left, I repeated the scout law, oath, motto and slogan. Then we talked about my eagle project and my goals in life; earning all the merit badges, going on a mission, becoming a vet and one day becoming a scoutmaster. Soon the questions were over and I was asked to leave. I was happy that it was all over. Very quickly they discussed if I could be an eagle scout. Soon we all went back in the room and they revealed that I was officially an Eagle Scout.

The County Fair

The County Fair was cool. Mom had a time for all the kids to have a treat and a drawing for prizes. It was called the Livestock Social. I didn’t win anything but I loved the food.
When I showed my pig I won my class, and I got third place in the star class and I won a belt buckle. Right before my pig class he took off down the aisle by our stall and it scared me and I cried. I think Laura wasn’t shaking the dog food. My pig always follows me whenever he hears that sound. Mom asked Brother Hogan to keep an eye on me and everything was ok.
On Friday I showed my sheep and I made it to the star class with Bodi. Lindsay wasn’t eating so she was not showing good. I won a sheep belt buckle that said rate of gain. Lindsay earned it for me. Next year I want to win a sheep belt buckle in showmanship or market.

PIGS FOR THE FAIR

I just picked out my pigs for the fair. One pink one and two black ones. I will name them Bobsled, Luge and Curling. Yes, my pigs names are also with my Olympic theme. I can't wait to show.

SHEEP FOR THE FAIR

I just got my sheep and pigs for the fair. I have twins and I have two boys and two girls. They are a darker color this year. My theme this year for naming my fair animals is Olympics. Apolo Ohno, Lindsey Vonn, Bode Miller, Julia Mancuso are their names.

Bear Lake Weekend

Me and my family went to Bear Lake. We stayed in a cabin and we went sleding. My dad barrowed his workers snowmobiles. We played alot of games. We played pool, and the candybar game. On the second day I was afraid to go sledding so me and my mon went back to the truck and read "Night of the Howling Dogs."