Black Hills Trip: Final Day

Ava & I on the go-carts Sandy & Addie in their go-cart The train was a big hit with the kids

Sandy & Mom

Aunt Shelly is playing with Owen

Ava loved the bumper boats

Sandy got soaked by Zachary and other riders

Jason getting soaked!

We spent the afternoon of our final day in the hills at a fun park that was outdoors and not too far from the house we were staying in. We enjoyed bumper boats, go-carts, bounce house, mini golf, and ice cream. The kids had a great time. Ava loved the go-carts, especially when Sandy and Addie rode at the same time and we passed them. She also loved the bounce house with Addie and the train. It was a great find!

Black Hills Trip: Mt Rushmore

Grandma & Owen Grandpa & Ava

Ava & Addie in front of Mt Rushmore

Brad walking the girls

Sandy, me, & Shelly

My sister's husband David from Tucson had never been to Mt. Rushmore before, so we had to hit that tourist attraction. There is a trail that takes you all around the area which isn't stroller compatible. Mom, Owen, and I stayed behind when the trail turned to steps, but everyone else enjoyed the scenic hike. It was a gorgeous day at about 70 degrees and fun for the kids to run around.

Black Hills Trip: 1880 Train

Ava, Owen, & Addie on the train Mom & Dad

Family Photo

The pack of kids heading to the train station

The view from our train car

It was decided that the 1880 Train from Hill City to Keystone would be a highlight for all the kids once we all met at the house near Lead, SD. We made the nearly hour drive to Hill City and the kids couldn't have been more excited. The train ride was pretty chilly in our open train car on the first half of the trip. However, on the second half we moved to a closed car which was much better. The kids all liked the train except my nephew Toby who thought the train whistle was too loud. The total ride was two hours long, so the kids were ready to get off when we returned to Hill City. Overall, I think they liked it. It was quite a bit of sitting for Ava, but she had Addie to keep her company which was wonderful.

Black Hills Trip: Beaches and Lakes

Family photo by a gorgeous lake

Sand in our toes (wish I had Ava's tan!)

This could be my favorite picture of the trip

Wading in the water was a highlight!

Gorgeous scenery with family = great memories!

Black Hills Trip: Keystone

Up the Hill: Ava and I on the tram

Down the Hill: Riding down the slide

Another picnic...

I had the bright idea of riding the tram in Keystone to the top of the hill where there is a restaurant to eat. I thought it would be a great view and fun thing to do for lunch. However, that was until we got close to the tram and saw there was no seatbelts and surprisingly very little holding a person in the car. Brad and I decided Owen wasn't going in that, so just Ava and I went up. I'm not sure what I was thinking as I'm afraid of heights. I have been on the tram there before, but it was much more scary when you are worrying about the safety of your child. I had one clenched hand on Ava's shoulder and the other on her arm. She wasn't scared at all and was talking about the trees all the way up the hill (which seemed like an eternity to me). Our flip flops were dangling in the air and I kept thinking the whole time that we were going to loose our shoes! Rather than endure the agony on the way down, I talked Ava into taking the slide down the hill which seemed like a safer option to me although not sure if that was the case after signing the liability waiver :). I could control the speed of the little car that we rode in (aka "extremely slow") and we journeyed our way back down. Ava loved it all and wanted to go again when we got to the bottom.

Black Hills Trip: Hill City

Cruising downtown Hill City

Ava loved the fossil dusting at the dinosaur museum

We spent the first day and night at a hotel in Hill City as we went out a day ahead of the rest of my family. We hit a couple local shops and a museum in Hill City. Ava loved the dinosaur museum.

Black Hills Trip: The Badlands

We decided to take the tour of the Badlands on the way to Rapid City. We have both been there, but thought it would be fun to take Ava through the park. She thought the hiking was fun but didn't get much out of the last 30 minutes of the drive.

Black Hills Trip: On the way...

Picnic at a rest area, I believe Owen was dining on squash.

A whole bag of toys and he is happy with a chip clip...really?

My entire family decided to make a trip to the Black Hills to stay together in a big house. We did not travel together, so we were alone for the car ride. I was a little nervous about the 6 hour car trip with the kids, but it went well. Owen doesn't sleep much in the car (only about an hour each way), but he didn't ever really get upset. Ava was very good on the way out and handled her longest trip in the car so far with ease. I decided to pack a picnic lunch so the kids could get out and stretch their legs on the trip. It was a huge hit for both kids. Owen loved rolling around on the blanket and getting into things. It was a gorgeous day to be traveling.

Sioux Falls Zoo Adventure...

The babies: Owen 8 months, Whitlie 10 months

Sydnie, Ava, & Ramsie with their cousin

Ramsie (4) and Ava on the carousel (their favorite part)

Checking out the giraffes

My friend Danielle from college and I got together for a little zoo adventure with our kids. She has 3 girls and the youngest two are almost the same ages as Ava and Owen. The girls had a ball running around the zoo, and it was so nice that it was not very busy. It was pretty warm, but Owen remained in good spirits in the stroller. Not surprisingly, Ava would not touch any of the animals at the petting zoo, but she enjoyed playing with Ramsie. The highlight was the carousel, but Ava did like the monkeys.

Father's Day...

Daddy & Owen were trying to imitate Owen's "sad face"

Smiles from Ava & Daddy at least....

Dad & Sam

We spent Father's Day at my parents' house. We grilled out and had a relaxing afternoon, spending lots of time on the porch of the new house. Good times with family.