Mt. Rushmore

So I have not updated in a bit since the last leg of our trip was very exhausting. So now that we are home and I am a bit more relaxed I am going to update you on each of the last days of our amazing trip, starting with the beautiful Mt. Rushmore.
We started the day by leaving Murdo, South Dakota and driving towards the famous town of Wall, population 800. Why did we go to Wall you ask? Well, Wall is home to the famous Wall Drug. Wall drug was started in 1931 by Ted & Dorothy Hustead. The first few years their business was un-succesful and they tried to think of an inventive way to get all the people to come from the highway to visit Wall Drug. Dorothy came up with the idea of free ice-water and started putting out signs all over the highway. Soon they had so many customers coming in for the free ice water among other things that Wall Drug sold. Wall drug is no longer an ordinary drug store it is now a block long drug store, clothing, memorabila, travelers chapel, art gallery, and many more things to do. Today, Wall drug serves around 20,000 people per summer day with the famous free ice water and now 5 cent coffee, which is free with a donut to veterens we discovered. So we decided to be three of those 20,000 people that would visit Wall Drug that day and are sure glad we did!
After our journey in Wall, which also left us with our check ingine light on we continued on our journey. We had no choice of course since there was no open car repair shop in Wall. So we continued on praying that our car would get us to Rapid City, SD.
We got to rapid City in one peice and got the car checked. Thankfully the light was nothing major and something that could wait until we got back home. So we started the trek up the big mountain to Mount Rushmore! We were so excited as we neared those famous faces of George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, Theodore Roosevelt and Abraham Lincoln and their invaluable contributions to the United States. We were in awe as we looked way up, since they are far away, at those men who changed our country so much. It was a very moving experience and I am so glad that we were able to see it.
After Mt. Rushmore we continued on our trek to Cody, Wymoing to have a much needed night of rest before our big day at Yellowstone.

Two years ago today my princess was born! Happy birthday A! On our way to vegas to stay in a castle! :-)

Yellowstone :-D

Our check engine light just came on and we have 90 miles til the nearest auto shop...yikes!

Wisconsin, Minnesota, South Dakota

We left Chicago early Monday morning to get on our long trip to Murdo, South Dakota. We started in Illinois and then got to Wisconsin. Now being in Wisconsin we felt the need to stop and get some Wisconsin cheese, so we did. We stopped in the city of Wisconsin-Dellis which had almost every type of water park imaginable. There are indoor, outdoor, 200 foot slides, everything. Almost every hotel in this town had its own water park which was so interesting, especially with A pointing out every slide she saw!
We got back on the road and kept driving and went into Minnesota. We got off in this little town called Austin to go to a big time tourist attraction. Are you ready for this one? We went to the SPAM Museum!!! Oh Yes! They do have a museum dedicated to SPAM and we went! haha! It was actually a very interesting tour and they had a SPAM gift shop at the end which had everything you could imagine with the word SPAM on it. We were happy to settle for a post card.
We continued on our journey and entered in to South Dakota. We stopped in a historic cowboy town which A just absolutely loved, except it started sprinkling while we were on the tour. They had all kinds of historic buildings as well as a herd of buffalo. It was very interesting and I am glad we stopped. We continued on to Mithchell to go see the one and only Corn Palace. It had started to rain so we just did a drive-by and took some pictures of the outside which was very interesting and so unique. We got right back on the road since we had another 2 hours til our hotel and it started pouring and thundering and lightning again! We arrived to our hotel around 9 pm and now are going to get a good nights rest to leave tomorrow at 7 am to continue our journey!

The Windy City

We arrived in Chicago around 1 pm on Sunday and drove straight to the Lincoln park Zoo. We thought it would be a fun thing for A to do since we have been doing so many adult activities lately. A had such a wonderful time at the zoo seeing all the different animals and riding the train! It was really good for her and tired her out because within 5 minutes of getting back in the car she was passed out.
Ch and I took this opportunity to drive around Chicago and see the many unique buildings. We also drove by the Sears Tower which is no longer called the Sears tower but the Willis tower. We then drove to Navy Pier to see the water and the boardwalk. Chicago is so beautiful but very confusing lol.
After seeing the sights we went to D and W's to have dinner and spend the night. As soon as we got there A started running around with her cousins L and H and they all tired each other out and the all went to bed, after a little snuggling of course. Since the kids were all in bed Ch and I were able to sit and chat with D and W for a bit which was very fun. I wished we could have stayed longer in Chicago but we had to get on the orad the next morning.

Birthday Bull Ride and Renewal of Vows

We left Iowa early Thursday morning around 3 am for our long journey to Michigan. We stopped a few places along the way but the big one was The University of Notre Dame. Ch was very excited as we pulled up to the famous stadium, the golden dome, and the touchdown Jesus. I made the comment that A should go here someday and I think now he is set on making that his goal for her lol.
We arrived to Three Rivers, Michigan Thursday afternoon and checked in to our hotel for the weekend. After relaxing for about an hour we were off to our first event with dinner at Applebees with most of the wedding party. We of course had A wear her Notre Dame cheerleading outfit since Ca is a Michigan fan! After dinner I went out to The Wild Bull for my birthday with everyone, while Ch stayed back with A. I had lots of fun and even rode the mechanical bull!!
The next day we drove to South Haven Beach. It was a very cute tourist town but it was an hour in a half away so it made for a long day. We rushed back to town, changed quickly, and drove 20 minutes to the ceremony/reception site on Ca's Aunts farm. The area was beautiful with a great big field and barn and horses, which of course A loved! A saw the horses and all the guys set up the tent for the reception the following day. Then we had the rehearsal and rehearsal dinner and went back to the hotel and had a hotel party, after putting A down of course.
Saturday morning, we woke up and I met Ca at the tanning salon for a quick session since it was supposed to be gloomy all day. After we were done I went back to the hotel and started to get ready since Ch and I had to be there 2 hours early. Why did I have to be there you ask? Well, I wanted to help Ca in any way I could so I ended up becoming the photographer/dj. I had lots of fun participating in the wedding and had even more fun taking pictures of Sc & Ca. I can't wait to see how they come out!

Some bigger, none better....

So we got to Iowa on Monday in the late afternoon. We arrived at Grandpa and Grandma's house and were so excited to see them again! We were also excited to relax for three days and have some home cooked meals.
We relaxed the first night and the second day we woke up and took A to the golf course so she could take a ride on the golf cart aka grandpas snow white car. After that we went A to the park for some much needed running around. After that we drove to Sioux City to see a beautiful Catholic garden called St. Josephs. It was huge and was so nice to see all the sculptures and they also had an outdoor church.
The next day was spent relaxing around the house and then having yummy Iowa sweet corn and hamburgers for our last meal in Iowa. After dinner we were able to enjoy a mid-western storm and A and I ran around in the storm.
The next morning we got up at 2 am (which of course A joined us for), packed up the car and got on the road for another long drive to Michigan.
Here are some pictures from Iowa...Enjoy!!!

Dust in the Wind

So I am a little behind in the blogging because I have been without internet for a couple days. So the first update I am going to do is on Sunday we went to Kansas to visit J. We left Colorado Springs Sunday morning to drive to Kansas. As we were entering Kansas we suddenly realized that there was not much to Kansas lol. There was no hills, just lots of fields all over the entire state which we had to drive all the way across because he is on the Kansas/ Missouri broder. We did not do much in Kansas except go to Applebees and hang out at the house but here are some pictures. Oh, and A was able to meet some chickens and a pig. Enjoy!

A Children's Museum Storm

Today we left Grand Junction to head towards Colorado Springs. We got up at 6 am (yes I actually did get up) and ate a yummy breakfast at the hotel. We loaded up the car and started our journey towards Colorado Springs. Within 15 minutes, A was passed out in the back seat. So Ch and I continued to drive towards the denver area while viewing the most beautiful landscape. We continued to drive and stopped in Denver to take A to a very special place.

We arrived in Denver around 1:00 and had a small lunch than took A to the Children's Museum. This is a museum geared towards children under age 8 which was perfect for her. There was a fire truck, a work zone, a life size ant farm, a grocery store, and more! She had so much fun and Ch and I were so glad we took her here because it was a nice treat for her after the long drive.

We got on the road again, after driving through downtown Denver, and started on the 45 minute drive towards Colorado Springs. About ten minutes after we started driving we were able to experience our first storm of this road trip. It was not only thundering and lightening, but it was pouring harder than I have ever seen. I was so glad that Ch was driving during this storm. We were able to video tape a little of it so you could experience it with us! Enjoy!

15 hours, a mohawk, and a "riber"

Last night, as most of you know, Ch, A, and I departed on our two week long summer road trip. I took the first shift (being a night owl and all) while Ch and A slept all the way to Barstow. We arrived at Barstow at 12:30 p.m. when A decided she wanted to get up and hang out with Mommy and Daddy (who was still sleeping). not ten minutes after we left Barstow did traffic stop, not only completely, but to the point where our cars were off and we were outside in the middle of Highway 15. As I was standing there contemplating waking Ch up to take over the driving, I saw what appeared to be 3 or so clear spiders crawling right by my feet. I walked away with no worries to only later find out, by my always informative hubby, that they were actually baby scorpions! Great....!!! We hung out on the Highway for about ten or so minutes than we were on our way again!

I continued to drive through to Baker and had Ch take over at 2 a.m. so I could try and get some sleep and attempt to get A to go back to bed (yes she was still awake!) We continued on our trek through the wonderful sprawling desert filled with nothing but sand and darkness. As we were approaching the city of lights A was still awake so we decided to show her a castle which of course she loved and now everything she sees is a castle.

Around 3:30 a.m. A and I finally fell asleep as Ch trekked on and got us through to Utah. I awakened just as the sun was starting to come over the mountains which was the most beautiful sight I have ever seen. (I am sure my mind will be swayed once we get to Colorado). We continued on a perilous journey with A still sleeping through it all.

We found a few viewing spots along the highway to show A some of the beautiful sights that Utah has to offer. As we were approaching the Colorado border, we could hardly contain ourselves with our excitement! We got closer and closer and I pulled out my camera aimed and ready to see the "Welcome to Colorful Colorado" sign. I saw the sign, Ch saw the sign, and even A saw the sign, but my camera did not.

Thirty minutes later (around 1:00) we arrived at our beautiful hotel. The first thing A wanted to do was look out our window. When she did she proclaimed with great excitement "I see the RIBER!!!" (aka river). A and I then passed out for three hours while Ch went and of course, worked out. Even on vacation he has to stay in shape. However. he did proclaim he rebellious nature to start his vacation by having me cut his hair into a Mohawk. This of course raised some eyebrows as he gorged himself at Olive Garden (his words, not mine). I think he has engrossed himself fully into our vacation.

As we sit here in our hotel, with A snuggled between us, we look forward to the coming weeks and all the adventures to come.

Vacation!!!!

(click image to enlarge our route!)
Tonight we leave on our family vacation. I get the first leg which should be inetersting...Vegas here I come! We are levaing at 10 p.m. tonight and driving overnight to Grand Junction, CO. We are hoping to get there around noon or so tomorrow, check in, and relax! We are so excited about this up and coming adventure but I think A is confused and worried about what mommy and daddy are doing with all this stuff! Guess we will wait and see! i will update you tomorrow from gorgeous Colorado!!!

Very First Haircut

Today we took A to get her first haircut! She did so good while Ka (who gave me my first haircut) trimmed her hair and gave her bangs! I hope you like it! I think she looks adorable!

New Favorite Website

So I was browsing the web tonight and I came across a website that I am now in love with! The name is called Nanny Deprived...Embrace the insanity of motherhood! On the home page it has a nanny deprived quiz which consists of 17 questions for you to see if you are truly nanny deprived or not. They have a store filled with not only necessities for moms but clothing for you and your kids. And for those of us moms that need a good laugh now and then this is the site for you! They even have mommy quotes and poetry that will make you laugh histarically which comes in handy after a long day of being a mommy. I hope you all check out this website and love it as much as I do!

Mr. Fireworks, Where Are You?

Happy 4th of July! I hope everyone had fun last night celebrating our Nation's Independence. We had a wonderful time taking A to see the fireworks for the first time that she knew what was going on since last year she was a little too young. She liked them at first until it was too loud and she decided to close her eyes and keep them closed lol.

I took a video of her doing her mr. fireworks bit. Enjoy!