We finally got to Grandma and Papa G's house! All the cousins were already there waiting for us. As soon as we got there the kids started playing together! Meanwhile, I got to get acquainted with little Joel.
One of the best things about their house is the land. The kids have a great time running around and exploring. They were off to find the old "mine" at the base of the hill.
They bought a little two person ATV called a Razr. Kayda and I took it out and I let her drive some. She had a great time.
The kids were all really good about making sure Clara was included and safe.
We got to do the Cathedral spires trail, I've been wanting to do it since our first strip in 2015!
Daddy's foot is missing because he had wandered off looking for a good view. Along the trail we saw a couple of climbers (the spires are really popular climbing spots) and a couple of mountain goats that were way up on one of them. It's amazing how those things can move along cliffs!
After the hike we met Grandma, Papa and Uncle Justin at Sylvan lake. It's the prettiest lake there (they're all man made by the way). You have to be careful swimming around because you'll often come across boulders barely beneath the surface that are actually really difficult to see. We went a couple of times. For this particular trip we had forgotten the paddles for the raft so I put on some flippers and was pulling it around. Then the kids started using the kayaks and I was nervous since the boulders are in the middle of the lake so I swam after Dillon. My left leg cramped really badly and I couldn't even kick it. I ended up having to take off the flippers and awkwardly swim with them in front of me until I could get Dillon over so I could put the flippers on the kayak. All of the kids picked it up really quickly and LOVED it.
The second time we went we had the oars. I didn't load the pictures but Dillon and Owen got across the lake and then Owen jumped out of his kayak so Aunt Kirsten and Uncle Ranen had to go over with the raft. Carson hopped in to the kayak and took over while Owen was paddled back. It was actually really entertaining to watch since Owen was in a life jacket so we weren't worried about him getting in to trouble.
Of course we had to do the wildlife loop since it's the kids' and I's favorite part. We had a REALLY successful trip. I drove so Daddy could ride in the back with the kids. We drove through the herd of bison a couple of times, one of which I was the leader and we had to ever so slowly creep up so they would move out of the way. There was a bull in the middle looking agitated. When I got near him I just stopped, no way was I moving closer and getting the truck rammed. We were at a stalemate until someone coming from the other side started pressuring them too. Between the two of us we were able to get enough of a gap to pass through. It's always exciting when you get in the middle of the herd like that. You're in the car and they completely surround you. We saw a bison and their calves and prairie dogs but we got to see some special things too! We saw antelope and their babies and big horned sheep and their babies! It's not often you see the big horned sheep! Babies of antelope are pretty elusive too. The only animal we didn't see was the elk. (We even got to see some wild horses on the way in to North Dakota)
Absolutely LOVE this picture of Kayda. One of my absolute favorites!
Here we are approaching the herd.
I LOVE the wildlife loop. There are so many areas that are just beautiful. If I could live in an area like this I would without even a little bit of hesitation. It was so intriguing to see the abundance of wildflowers and lush green grass in contrast to the scorched trees from last fall's wildfire that swept through most of the park.
Daddy's turn! He took Carson out for a little while and gave Carson the opportunity to drive a bit.
All the kids played well but Carson and Raelle played especially well. They were almost always with each other!
One evening the sky was clear enough to see the stars and some planets. The kids got to see Venus, Jupiter and Saturn. Uncle Justin was good enough at manipulating the telescope that you could see the eye on Jupiter and the rings on Saturn. It was just as good as the giant observatory scope we went to years ago! Here's Dillon looking through the scope. The sunset was SO pretty that evening.
Carson
Kayda
We spent another day over at Rush Mountain. It's a mini amusement park. By mini I mean four attractions but the kids had a blast. My favorite was the "wingwalker course" which is basically an areal obstacle course. The kids loved the mountain coaster. You're in a cart on a track but you control your speed by applying a brake.
At the park there is Rushmore Cave... I can't be near a cave and not go in it so in we went. Unfortunately, for the first time ever, I forgot sweatshirts so the kids didn't enjoy it as much as they usually would.
They had a lot of actively growing formations, they're all an opaque white which was really cool to see. We also saw columns with huge cracks in them where the cave floor has "sunk" under the weight of the types of formations in one area.
Owen and Dillon had a great time together too.
When in South Dakota it's time to update pictures. I must say, I have beautiful children.
Aunt Kirsten took a family photo for us. I wish I had packed with pictures in mind!
With so many kids, getting a good photo is difficult. I know Raelle's eyes are closed but this is most definitely my favorite picture. Simply because it reminds me so much of the way Grandma and Papa G always interact. Papa gets up to his usual, silly antics, and Grandma gives him this look of "really, must you do this now?" I adore it and to capture it on film is perfect!
We were definitely not prepared for these pictures! The contractor working on their deck snapped these pictures for us. The ones from 2015 were more successful but an ok picture is better than no picture! I am easily amused so I'll share my entertainment. We didn't position ourselves well in thie picture. Daddy, Dillon and I are slightly separated. Well, as the pictures progressed the rest of the group slowly migrated further away. Then at the end we did silly pictures and we get this:
We're farther away and Uncle Ranen's chosen face looks like "get away from me you lowly peasants!" I get a chuckle every time I look at the two pictures!
There are so many hikes in the area but this one sounded great from the descriptions. We kept trying to go but one thing after another got in the way. One of which was Dillon getting really sick. He was having tummy issues in addition to severe abdominal pain. We had to take him in to the ER. Turns out this kid's body is just sensitive. The puking caused inflammation near the esophagus which makes them incredible tender so it causes intense pain above the belly button. It's essentially an extreme reaction to the stomach acid. Fortunately the doctor was able to give him some medicine that helped.
Anyway. On Daddy's last day there we were finally able to go. We were still worried about Dillon because he was still not feeling the best but he ended up doing the best out of all three kids!
The hike was called "Sunday Gulch" and we went the wrong direction. It's a loop so technically there is no "right" way but we went through all the really cool, fun portion first and the dreaded switch backs in the sun last. I think the hike would've been much easier for the kids had the fun stuff been at the end. Either way it was beautiful and I would definitely do it again (the other way).
You climbed over and down all sorts of huge boulders and crossed streams using several different methods. It was gorgeous and the kids had a fantastic time exploring all the rocks.
It was SO hot on the way back up and the kids weren't handling it very well. So, after checking for relative privacy, I made Kayda strip off her shirt, I dunked it in a stream and she put it back on. It was quite a shock at first but it definitely helped!
There is micah everywhere and there were large portions of the trail that look like you're walking on a glitter trail. The picture doesn't do it justice!
Finally the end! We ended up on the opposite side of Sylvan lake and rushed to a little store to get something to drink. We didn't pack enough water since we didn't bring the kids' water packs from home. Fortunately Papa was with us and was happy to help refill water bottles.
When at Papa's house you must spend some time shooting. We convinced Papa to take out his black powder musket and try it for the first time. It was quite spectacular to see. Daddy even got try it!
The kids love to shoot! Kayda and Carson both got bullseyes this round. I got to try out some concealed carry guns so I could figure out my preference. Even the contractor joined in!
Friday, Uncle Justin left, Sunday Daddy flew home and then Monday, Aunt Kirsten left. So it was just the kids and I at the house...
