South Dakota June 21-27, 2014

RJ sports his new tee that Grampa and Gramma sent

from South Dakota

Julia Christine arrived a month early

June 25, 2014

Grampa and Gramma sent this shirt from Custer!

Julia Christine was born a month early to surprise Doug and Sara and big brother RJ.  Sara called at 8 a.m.(EDT) to tell us about the new baby--we were on Mountain time in South Dakota. (can you figure it out?)  I sent the t-shirts from Custer, but Julia's looks more like a dress--she was only 5# 10 oz.



Captured at Bedrock City



Mount Rushmore



and Mount Rockmore (at Bedrock City)

Andrew and Grace measure up

Matthew and Andrew trying to be brave enough to touch a snake at Reptile Gardens

The level  at Cosmos says that they are the same height!

We met Fred and Barney



We saw these characters at Storybook Island



Bambi, Matthew, and Thumper

Andrew logging in the old fashioned way

The "tale" at the Dinosaur Park



Bob and Diane with the Flintstones




The plate on the bench says, "Rest a while Bob so we can play a little longer."

A beary nice place

Baby bears trying to get up in the world

The kids were really impressed with Crazy Horse (can you see his face in the background?)

Belle Fourche--the Geographic Center of the United States

Devil's Tower in Wyoming--the boys tried to climb it

We met the sheriff in Deadwood

Jimmy and Kelly's "home away from home"

The kids decided to scrub the pool area

 

On the way home, we visited Lawrence Welk's home and met his niece



The church at Strasburg, ND, Lawrence Welk's birthplace



St. Mary's Church at Hague, ND

Miami--May 28-June 17

I met cousin Barbara Marks and her husband Allan.  She said she hasn't seen me in 70 years!

Cora Ann saved this baby peacock when its mother left.

Flower and fruit on a banana tree (plantains, probably)

Maniac helped us cheer for the "Canes"

Future Monarch butterfly

Four generations :-)

The girls found a "lady friend" at the park

Sonny and mother at Pinecrest Gardens

On the wagon--coming back from the Pinecrest farmers' market

Rub-a-dub cool, three girls in the pool

The splash pad at Pinecrest Gardens was kid magnet one day

Sweetie the lifeguard watching over us

Canes--we're cheering for U

Swingin' and building at the park

May Moments and "Move-ments"

Early planting this year (May 22) because I am leaving for Miami on the 28th.  The tomatoes went in first--the rows hit a "curve" implying that maybe the gardener used the cups before sending them to their doom. Cody said it looked like my GPS wasn't working right!  Note the lumpy soil at the south end. I had to rake the lumps to get my new "planter" to work (second pic)....sort of looks like levees between the rows! :-)




Andrew and his classmates made their First Holy Communion on May 4

 

We crossed "the Mighty Mississippi" en route to Wisconsin on the train



Trina and Annika found someone to help them shop in Baraboo



Matthew and his best friend

Andrew and Matthew had swimming lessons (indoor!)

Grace rearranged furniture while the boys swam

Grampa helped Grace make a necklace

Gramma modeled Grace's new hats and caught Grace smiling :-)

Andrew's class took charge of the May Crowning

Guests on May 4th helped celebrate Andrew's 8th birthday and 1st Communion

We went to Iowa to help Tom and Trina get their house ready for the big move after Andrew's big day.

The girls "swing" while the boys play football

Caiden (on left) takes off

Ari and Anni play "monkey"



 

Coach Tom give's Jett the cue for the next play







For Hire: Annika "does" windows!

April 2014--no fooling!

Easter Sunday "crowd" at the funny farm

Cool whip is not a good idea for a frosting substitute

The "bunny" left everyone a basket



Bob and Uncle Mike on Palm Sunday

A puzzling week! Thanks, kids :-)



My new best friend, born on April 3



1500 pieces---a week and a half later! Fun and challenging :-)

Selfies aren't great when you have short arms