Day 3 - Rapid City

We had a wonderful day today too! Of course we were up early and ready to go since now we're in Mountain Time Zone. We had a day filled with all kinds of new adventures...

First we were off to Mount Rushmore. I went when I was in high school, but it is so different to go now that I'm all grown up! :) It is incredible. It was fun to teach Jack the names and live it through his eyes. He was so amazed and kept telling me that he finally got to see Mount Rushmore for real!

Our second part of our adventure was to Custer State Park. I also went through this on a family vacation (when you traveled with my mom you held nothing back!). So Jack was set with his binoculars and Henry was fast asleep when we came across the first herd of buffalo. There is no way you could miss those things...they were huge! It was so funny to see them roaming through campgrounds and resorts. We also saw and hugged (Jack) a burro. Talk about some friendly animals!

Buffalo herd behind Jack

Taken from view van window. I need to learn a little more about the buffalo....they are so fascinating looking!

Jack hugging a burro. Still can't believe he did that!

Last night in a hotel tonight! Until the journey home...tomorrow we're off to Montana! Can't wait!

Day 2 - Badlands and Wall Drug

We went to the Badlands and Wall Drug today! They were both a lot of fun in many different ways!

We drove through the Badlands, and got out randomly to look around and climb a few things. At first it was raining and really cold. It did stop enough so we could climb around without being totally covered in mud. Henry kept calling them sandcastles. So cute! They also saw a snake that they thought was pretty cool. What an incredible place!

Wall Drug....Henry saw a sign for a donut on the interstate about 50 miles before we got there, so that's what he had on his mind the entire time. We had some free water, climbed around in the backyard and took lots of pictures of Jack with his head on different scenes (which he thinks is so funny).

Jack riding the horse at Wall Drug.

Henry riding the horse.

Henry finally getting his donut.

A picnic supper at our hotel on the window seat. It's the smallest room it has no table....but such a great deal! :)

Day 1 - Mitchell, SD

I am writing this from Mitchell, SD. We left home this morning around 10 and got here around 5 with a couple stops. We played at a playground, ran laps around a rest area and finished off our travels at the Corn Palace.

Our hotel has a waterslide and a kiddy pool area. The boys both LOVED the waterslide. They wore Steve and I out since we each had to go up with the boys.

Tomorrow we're off to Wall Drug, Badlands and ultimately a hotel in Rapid City. Hopefully will be another fun day!

Adventure...

Today we're off on a "family adventure" as Jack would say! We're headed out west for a couple weeks to spend time with friends. Our final destination is Glacier National Park to visit Sue. Sue was a dear friend of my moms for many years. We got to know each other during the funeral in 2005 and have remained in contact since. She has been asking us to come out since then and we're thrilled that it finally worked out. One of the many perks of being a teacher! A bonus this summer is that Steve is off too. Sweet!

Will try to post and share as we travel...

Super Dad

Steve has had a new role in our family this year....Super Dad! He was the stay at home dad, and we all loved it! Here are a few things that were on the job description for that:

- taxi driver to preschool and swim lessons
- cook
- grocery shopper
- laundry
- playing with boys
- cleaning
- tech support for my grad classes and school projects
- family banker/bill payer

He has done an amazing job! We are so blessed to have him as our dad and husband!

We love you! Summer vacation here we come!

Jack

Jack finished preschool this spring. We are so proud of him and how much he loves to learn letters, numbers and try to figure things out. It's really fun to watch him write. He uses his left hand for the first couple letters and then switches to his right hand to finish the word. I should try to get it on video sometime. He does all sports and stuff with his left hand, which is annoying to try and find little kids baseball mitts or golf clubs for left-handed kids!

He loves swimming lessons and has become a great swimmer! Can't wait to see what the summer brings with swimming in the lakes and pools!

Jack loves to play with his superheroes and are often found saving the day in various parts of the house. He has had fun riding his bike this spring, and always wants to be going somewhere. He loves to meet new people and will meet all the kids at the park and know their names before it's time to leave, he must get that from Grandma Nancy! :)

Jack prefers to be in bed by 8:00 and get up early and enjoy the morning. He is usually up with me before I went to school and we would spend some sweet time together while Steve and Henry slept.

He is such a trooper with his asthma/allergy stuff. He takes his meds (even when they taste yucky) without complaining and when he is sick he is so easy going. He loves his doctor and walks in like they are his long lost friends.

He can't wait to head to Minnesota this summer. He often tells me how he has been thinking about Minnesota and the lake, cabin, beach, etc. Me too Jack!

I can't believe he is going to be 5 in September! Amazing!

We love you, Jack!

Henry

Our delightful 2 year old...

Henry has been wearing his cape around for 3 weeks straight. He wears it everywhere! HyVee, park, naps, around the house, library, etc. At least he wore pants. One day he told me that Batman doesn't wear pants, so he went around in his diaper. Too funny! The neighbors got a good laugh out of that.

Last Friday Henry told us he is wearing underwear, he has and has only had a handful of accidents since. Amazing! Not exactly my timing as we're getting ready to head to Montana and out west for a couple weeks. Oh well, one more thing to add to the adventure!

Batman driving the van, while the rest of the family was cleaning it!


Doing some grocery shopping at the Iowa Children's Museum.

Henry loves playing by himself and has a great imagination. He flips every time he sees and excavator or impact hammer....or any type of big truck! He is a great sleeper with a 2-3 hour nap and then to bed by 8 and up at 7:30 or so. Love it!

We love you Henry!