Puppy Love

I think the title says it all.......

Cookie Dough Buzz

So I made a big batch of chocolate chip cookies....Jared enjoyed a big bowl of cookie dough along w/ a big glass of milk before bed. Needless to say, he wasn't feeling very well....he was telling me about how his tummy hurt, and then said in all seriousness, "but I don't think I have any brain damage, Mom!"

The Lake with Kelvin and Leila

We sure enjoyed the day. It was overcast the whole time, so in spite of the heat, it was very comfortable. The breeze was blowing, as well, so the bugs weren't biting. Uncle Kelvin and the boys had mud baths out there, and had a blast!

The kids wanted to try their hand at fishing again!

Piper was perfect the whole time. I'm not even sure she knows how to cry! :)

Piper Healey

Piper...where do I even begin? Such a sweetie...and such a pretty thing, too...I can hardly stand being so far away! But it was so nice to be with them. We spent a couple of nights there....they treated us royally...I wasn't expecting to "play" so much w/ them having such a wee one...but we went to the lake, went fishing, went out to eat, etc....was so nice. We thoroughly enjoyed our time together.

What a doll...I have so many pictures, it was hard to choose which ones to put on here.

Fishing Pond

Kelvin and Leila bought the boys a fishing pole and tackle boxes. There is a fishing pond there for kids 14 and under. The 2 older boys caught several, but Byron just got bites. Byron was the biggest trooper of all, never complaining! Think HOT (as in 100 in the shade and we were in the sun), and biting flies! And Byron just hung in there trying to get a fish! They are talking tons about their next fishing trip!

Devil's Tower

Devil's Tower was a fun detour. Neither of us had ever seen it before, and pictures just do not do it justice. It was way bigger than we'd ever expected. We hiked around the perimeter of it. Was fun.

When Byron saw these rock climbers way up there (this is on zoom, you could just see white dots)....he wondered, Mom, why are they still building it?

A tired boy....we stopped on the way back and saw Tyler at the bank he's working at in Hewlett....and he gave the boys each a cap....Byron looked so cute sound asleep w/ it covering his face!

Spearfish Canyon

We took a drive into Spearfish Canyon. There were 3 sets of falls we went to see...Bridal Veil Falls, Spearfish Falls, and Lovelock Falls.

Needles Highway

Needles Highway is a beautiful drive. Lots of neat rock formations.
No, that isn't my leg sticking out! It just looks like it! It's Trent's! :)


This was a neat one lane tunnel...no traffic control, you just wait your turn...then several drive thru, and when there is an opening, then the opposing traffic takes a turn for several cars! Was fun!

Reptile Gardens

We really enjoyed Reptile Gardens. There were 3 shows, a bird show, a snake show, and a gator show. Then there were lots of exhibits to go around and look at. It was a relaxing afternoon. The boys had a blast.
This gator kept its eye on me as I moved around.
Ok, now this I just don't get. Gators all around, "wrestling" one, and as he did, all the others came partially out of the water, with dozens of eyes looking at him...suddenly he was the center of all their attention. AND, there are many between him and the door....ok, not my dream job, but I guess I just don't get it!

Petting a 100 year old, 400 lb. tortoise.

Bear Country USA

Bear Country USA was so neat. It's a drive thru park w/ lots of wildlife. They have over 100 bear there....they are so near and so fun to watch.The was a baby bear not w/ the adults....over in babyland instead.

A lynx.
This peacock strolled by, beautiful, and true to form, my boys reacted in a "boyish" manner....Bryon quickly exclaimed "MOM! Whuf I had a baZOOKa!!!"...yes, girls think about having a tail feather, boys think about bazookas...

This reindeer had a rack so big he could hardly hold his head up!


There are several bear in this picture, not sure if they really show up.
And with the only bear you can really hug.

The KOA Kamping Kabin

Here are the boys in the swing at the cabin. We had planned on tenting it there, but we as we arrived, it started to rain and hail! We were so glad for a cabin! The storm didn't amount to much, though, but we were still glad to be inside! The cabin was perfect, a set a bunk beds, a big bed, and a bunk on top of that. The bathrooms were nearby, so we didn't lack for anything!

Mount Rushmore

Mount Rushmore was so enjoyable. We stayed at a KOA there for the week. We had gorgeous weather, and thoroughly enjoyed it. They also had a lighting ceremony in the evening that we went to, where they have patriotic songs while you wait, then a 1/2 hour ceremony, ending w/ the lighting of the faces, or "heads" as Byron calls them. Which reminds me, Byron wanted to know again who was people were carved in the mountain. When I told him, he asked "are they some of the workers?"

Table Rock

Table Rock is a big rock made from sandstone out near Uncle Andy's farm. Growing up, I remember many times going out to Table Rock to go hiking, motorcycling, or even sledding in the winter. Thru the years, many people have carved their names in the rock, so it is always fun to go back and see where we've carved many years ago, or to see some of our relatives' names from Norway, etc. Robert and Tara had never been there, so after a delicious dinner at Andy and Eleanor's, we hiked out there. Here we are piling into the truck to go a little ways further before hiking in.


Carving our names in the rock.

The view is absolutely gorgeous. I believe this is about 15 miles from Dad and Mom's farm.
The sun was setting quickly....the wildflowers were beautiful. It was a highlight of our trip home!