The South Dakota Files - Part 4: Camping, Skywalk, and Biking the Mickelson

Our vacation also included many mini-adventures. From toasting marshmallows by the campfire, to climbing a huge trail stairway just to see where it

goes, to watching Mom run over a snake on the bike trail, we had lots of fun just hanging around the Black Hills.

The South Dakota Files - Part 3: The Mammoths

Day 3 - we went to Hot Springs to see the mammoth dig site. This amazing site hosts over 50 known skeletal remains of mammoths, and they haven't reached the bottom of the sinkhole yet. All of the skeletons found were male - go figure, probably wouldn't ask for directions. While there are a few woolies in there, most of the mammoths were of the hairless variety and dwarfed their furry cousins. Our amateur archaeologist/paleontologist went to work honing her skills by unearthing fake fossils. Cool!

The South Dakota Files - Part 2: The Badlands

The Badlands National Park is absolutely awe inspiring. Talk about some impressive topography! We were fortunate enough to see a herd of bighorn sheep, and fortunate enough to NOT see any snakes. There were prairie dogs everywhere! We walked on one of the trails and stopped at several overlooks, and I'm happy to say that we didn't lose Anna even once. It's a moody place - temperamental - and I can't imagine what went through the mind of settlers when they laid eyes on this place.

Yes, I say the aspects of the Dakota Badlands have more spiritual quality to impart to the mind of America than anything else in it made by man's God." -Frank Lloyd Wright 1935

The South Dakota Files - Part 1: Apple picking in Sioux Falls

We had a great time on our vacation to South Dakota! Special thanks to David & Iona for putting up with us - er, I mean putting us up for a night. Anna was so excited to see they had an apple tree right in their back yard! David got out the basket picker and they went to town. Later we all visited the beautiful falls. What a lovely town.

Playdate

It's been very busy lately, so I have a few posts to catch up on. First, back on Sept. 19 (How can it be October already???) we had two of Anna's very best friends over so their Mom and Dad could celebrate their anniversary sans children. The kids played outside with sidewalk chalk and stomp rockets until the sun went down. Then they had an almost-sleepover with lots of pillows, sleeping bags, popcorn and a movie.

It's not easy being 3

Lately Anna has been asking, "How will it be my birthday?" I keep telling her that she just has to wait, and it will have to be Christmas before it's her next birthday. Then she will tell you, (insert dramatic sigh), "I'm having a long time being three." (insert mopey face)

*Note: while this confection pic has absolutely nothing to do with this post, I regretted not having added it to the previous Sheboygan post. This is from Johnson's Bakery and is possibly the most beautiful edible thing I've ever seen. Maybe when Anna's birthday does come around we'll try to recreate this in cake form.

Surfing the Lake

For Labor Day weekend, we went to visit our friends in Sheboygan, Wisconsin. After a 130,234,132 hour drive - er, I mean a 13-hour drive (it just seemed longer) we made it to their door. We went on a doughnut run Saturday morning to Johnson's Bakery, which is an incredible sensory experience in itself (Prepare to Meet Your Baker). Then we went to the Farmer's Market where we saw varieties of flowers, squash, beans, root vegetables, and more. We had a fresh-squeezed raspberry limeade and eggrolls to snack on. A few errands around town and we headed toward the beach. It was the Dairyland Classic Surf competition. Lake Michigan is considered the world's best location for freshwater surfing. Who knew?!?! Unfortunately, while the weather was gorgeous, the waves were nonexistent, so there wasn't much surfing to be seen. Upon researching, we found that the worse the weather gets, the better the surfing. So their surfing season begins Labor Day and ends early winter. BRRRR! But that didn't put a dent in our fun. Over the course of the weekend Anna built sandcastles, played in the waves, rode a skimboard and a surfboard, and kayaked. On Sunday, we went to the pier to the carnival and rode a few rides. Then the adults escaped to the Duke of Devon for curry fries and drinks at lunchtime, which I highly recommend if you ever find yourself in Sheboygan. Then we picked up the kids and headed back to the beach for the afternoon, and into the evening. The next morning we had to pack up and leave on the long trek home. We had such a wonderful time with our chosen family. While it's difficult to be so far away from those you love, it really makes those moments you are together even more special. We'll be back some time after the spring thaw.