Black HillsBlack Hills

Not even a month ago, we were invited by my parents to go on a vacation with them to the Black Hills, in South Dakota.  We jumped at the chance.  Josh and his family went a few times during his childhood and we had previously talked about going back.

We decided Labor Day weekend would be a good time so Mom & Dad booked cabins for all of us.  All of us = Mom, Dad, Grandpa & Grandma (dad’s parents), my sister Emily, Dylan, Josh, me, Jude & Jett.  My brother Jacob couldn’t go because he’d just started back at Iowa State that week, and we missed him the whole time.  But that’s how life goes, I guess – every one has to grow up and have adult responsibilities.  Boo!  There will be other opportunities, I hope.

We stayed at a place called Mystery Mountain Resort.  It was wonderful.  I’d highly recommend it!  It was super-duper clean, a great location, lots of amenities.

This is the outside of our unit.  It contained three separate apartments that each had a full kitchen, bathroom and bedroom with two beds.  We all shared a common deck with picnic tables and a fire pit.  We even had satellite tv and a free wi-fi connection… not bad!

We went to Mt. Rushmore during a day visit and hiked around trails.  Then we went back for the nightly lighting ceremony and program.  It was great.  The monument was impressive each and every time we saw it.  Every time we drove by it.  We’d often hear the boys say, "The faces!  The faces!"

And by the time we left, both boys could name each of the presidents in order of how they appear on Mt. Rushmore.  It’s so cute!  Jude’s words are clear, Jett gets very close with his sounds.

When they learned the name of Abraham Lincoln, they were excited because they have a friend named Lincoln, so for awhile, it was, "my friend, Abraham Lincoln".

Here’s the only family picture we had taken of our time there, but we have many wonderful memories.

The boys did great the whole time.  We all had fun.  In addition to Mt. Rushmore, we drove Needles Highway in Custer State Park and went back the next morning to see the buffalo, we also went to Dinosaur Park (wouldn’t recommend), had campfires 3 nights, shopped in cheesy souvenir shops, went miniature golfing.  Oh, can’t forget – on the way out to South Dakota we stopped at the Corn Palace and Wall Drug.  And on the way home, we stopped at Josh’s aunt & uncle’s farm for a short visit and had a great time there, as well.

The trip was short (4 nights) but very, very sweet.  It was a great family trip and we hope to go again.

All this and a husband who looked like this the whole time:

Hubba, hubba!  I’m a lucky lady!