Rib Mountain State Park

On my last time home to Wausau, I had some time to go up to Rib Mountain. This happens to be one of the highest points in the state - 1940 feet.  Its changed a little over the years but I was able to climb the tower and some of the rocks just like I did when I was younger.

Top of the tower overlooking Wausau

Tower and Queens Chair

Week Round-Up

A lot has happened in the past week, so here a few highlights. I got to spend 4 days at home for Christmas and got to see some family and a few friends YAY!

Tried out a couple recipes - these are key lime white chocolate chip.

Ella and I on Christmas Eve

Christmas Cat!

Went Cross Country Skiing with a couple friends in Wausau.

After my nice break at home it was back to work right away. Each year, Audubon has Winter Family Escape where families come for four days. Its fun because it is a very low key program with people of all ages.  One of the activities this year was to build a snow zoo. I built a falcon (that no one could properly ID) and a giant snake.

My snow Kestrel

My giant snow snake!

The only bummer to the whole week was that I have been feeling under the weather. I have been running a low fever, nausea, had a headache for much of the week and slept a TON! Hopefully I can kick whatever it is soon and enjoy the new year!

Back to Wausau

So I have a full 6 days off and am spending a few of them in Wausau. My friend came to visit for a few days and we went to the few fun places there are in this town.

Rib Mountain State Park - Quarry Area

Me sitting on a hippo statue at the Leigh Yawkey

(don't worry, the sign said it was ok to sit on it)

Amanda and I at the Eau Claire Dells bluffs!

All in all, its nice to be able to sit around and relax; not having to worry about anything. Oh and I have been getting my Starbucks fill. For the rest of the week, I will be at the family reunion in Door County. Looking forward to more relaxing and some good photo chances! :)

Time Flies

I know its been awhile since I last posted. Life got busy with the holidays and work.

I went home for a couple days over Christmas. Like every year, Christmas Eve day was spent with the Mattmiller clan. It was nice to see everyone - I had lots of fun playing with my cousins and had my Grandpas amazing ham. Christmas day was then spent at our house and the Grandparents came over. It was a great relaxing couple of days with good food. I also discovered a new way to enjoy my coffee - add mint hot chocolate. Delicious and tastes a little like a Starbucks Peppermint Mocha :)



Apparently, I was super good this year because I got lots of really fun gifts - a bunch of books from my wish list, a thermarest, some new socks and Blue Planet / Planet Earth. If any of you have not seen the Planet Earth series it is worth checking out because the footage is breathtaking!

Following my much to short visit to Wausau, I returned to the Audubon Center where I had to psych myself up for Family Escape Weekend. Basically a bunch of family descend on the center for 4 days full of activities. My favorite program was called Animal Care and Handling. Basically, families could come into the barn and see the critters up close. It was super cute to see the little kids holding salamanders and getting excited to feed a frog or touch a snake.

And with that, another year draws to a close. 2009 has been a year with ups and downs but I am certainly enjoying where I am now. Hopefully, 2010 continues the positive note that this year is ending on. Until next time...

~*~HAPPY NEW YEAR~*~

THANKSGIVING!!

I spent a couple days in Wausau for Thanksgiving which was great because I got to see lots of family and friends. Thanksgiving day was spent at Greg and Jess's. My Grandpa made ham which was one of the highlights. While eating dinner at the kids table (yes I realize that sounds crazy but this year, you sat at the kids table if you were under the age of 26) I looked over and saw I have the same eating habitats as my 6 year old cousin. We both had pickles and ham. I also taught everyone the art of eating a Tim Tam. My cousins loved them and wanted another Tim Tam instead of birthday cake!! Overall, a nice and relaxing weekend - can't wait until Christmas :)

BUSY BUSY

The last week or so has been super busy with lots of teaching and various barn duties. Teaching wise, it was a stressful week. Not because of the students (most of who were really excited to be at Audubon) but because of what I was teaching. It was a lot of new lessons that I had never taught before. I also taught some high ropes which was great because I dont have to think alot anymore when I teach it :)


In the barn world, I am now offically checked off on handling all of the education birds. This is awesome because I got my last key AND do not have to wait around for people to birds out for me any more. Our Barred Owl was the last bird I had to be checked off on. She didnt make it easy - she sat out in the rain and evaded me for a bit. She then pooped on my ungloved hand for good measure. When I was finally done, I was damp and kinda gross.



The other barn related thing is I passed my rehab test YAY!! I finished the test around 1:45 pm on Tuesday. At about 2:45 pm the center got a call about an injured red tailed hawk so I got to jump in the car and do my first rehab animal.



Perhaps the most exciting thing from the past week was Amanda's Wedding. My cousin got married so I spent the weekend in Wausau. The wedding was beautiful and I got the chance to see a lot of family.


Well I best be off. I have to pack for my charter school visits. No rest for the weary.