Mt. Rushmore, Peter Norbeck Scenic, Tunnels, Needles, and A Cave!

Thought I'd post some more of our summer vacation pictures!

Mt. Rushmore was wonderful to visit. We weren't at the park a long time, but viewing this icon of America in person was a great and patriotic experience.

 

 Peter Norbeck Scenic Byway was gorgeous! The air smelled delicious, and we Texans really loved the cool temps in July. Driving through the tunnels was fun.

Getting a shot of the tunnels without a vehicle in was near impossible. :)

 Next was Needles Scenic drive...

 And then the kids saw a cave they needed to explore.

 It was another great day of vacation!

South Dakota - 1880s Train Ride

On our first full day in South Dakota, we took a train ride between Keystone and Hill City. The train was pulled by an 1880s steam engine. Each of the passenger cars were refurbished from the late 1800s and early 1900s.

Here they are refilling the engine with water before our trip.

The scenery from the train was gorgeous. 

an old telegraph pole...

We also saw

deer, wild turkey and other birds along the trip, but I wasn't quick enough with my camera!

[obligatory selfie of the fam!] 

Nebraska

 We've been home from our South Dakota vacation for one week now. I'm so glad we decided to do something different this year. As much as I LOVE our family beach vacations, it was exciting to see and experience different parts of this beautiful country we live in.

 Kansas was beautiful. We drove through Kansas on a Saturday on our way up to South Dakota. The wheat fields were golden! And everybody, seriously, it seemed like EVERY SINGLE FARMER in Kansas was harvesting their wheat fields on the day we drove through. Literally, south to north, the farmers of Kansas were feeding us. I'm so sad that I didn't pull out the camera that day.

 After stopping in Grand Island, NE for the night, we got up the next day to drive into Rapid City, SD. I got my camera out. I didn't want to miss another day of capturing the scenery.

 Nebraska is gorgeous! And not at all what I expected! I expected flat, boring land. But it was hilly, and fertile and green. You can see for miles. I loved our drive through Nebraska.

Lots of farmers in Nebraska too, and beautiful grasses. I hope to visit Nebraska and Kansas again someday.

Another week, another beach

Now he's in Pensacola/Navarre with my sisters and their families. 

I'm jealous!

1. Crabs 2. Buddies 3. Cousins 4. Sand

Band Trip

Stephen is on a band trip this week to South Padre Island, TX. One of the sweet band moms who went as a chaperone is keeping me up on all the happenings via text and phone photos. I think she is precious to do that for me! (Ok, she's sending to a group of us, but still! ;) ) Stephen loves the beach. I know he's having a great time. He confirmed it with a rare text this morning. Apparently, keeping up with ol Mom and Dad isn't paramount on his mind at the moment. But guess what? Ol Mom and Dad are heading out for a little weekend getaway.

Just us.

Take that offspring!

Instragram life

I have not taken a photo with my real camera in forever. In fact, the battery is dead! I need to get it charged up today.

In the meantime, I am watching a male red cardinal hop around on my patio and the camera on my phone is too slow to catch him. Last week his babies were out of the nest and trying to fly. The poppa dive bombed Stephen when he went out to the back yard to check on the babies. Poppa cardinal knew exactly what he was doing and it didn't take Stephen long to dash back into the house after a couple of swoops!

Since the only photos I've taken since Easter have been with my phone, I'm sharing my Instagram shots today. Some folks have professional looking Instagram photos. Me? Not so much!

1. Friday night concert in our living room. Ste on upright bass...arco style.  2. Hunny bought a new truck. It is so comfy! And my knees don't have to be jammed in the dash while Ste's knees are jammed into my back. ahhhh  3.  My great-nephew, Jaxon, will celebrate his first birthday in a couple of weeks. I got to make the banner (There's a Happy and Birthday portion too. ;) )  4.  Stephen saved his money and bought an electric bass guitar. We will have to build an addition onto our house to store his musical instruments... 5.  A Sunday fishing trip to Lake Ray Roberts ended with this beautiful sunset.  6.  Menu planning...ugh. 7.  Stephen received an Outstanding Performance award at the SOSU Jazz Festival in Durant, OK. He was playing his tuba. We are proud of his dedication to his music!

Our Easter 2013

We had planned a weekend get away for Easter this year. But as we got closer to the weekend, we all decided we didn't fancy several hours in the car for our get away. We stayed home and enjoyed a relaxing weekend instead.

My sister, Jill, had us over to her house on Saturday evening so we could watch two of my great nephews hunt Easter eggs.

It was Mr. Jaxon's first Easter. How sweet is he in that bow tie?!

And Mr. Aiden is an old pro!

 These boys are so sweet and it is such a joy to share in their lives!

On Sunday we spent the afternoon fishing. I love being out in the sunshine with a pole and my fellas! We didn't catch any fish but we still had a great time. It's great family time being outdoors together.

 It's not a conventional way of celebrating our Risen Christ, but this year, it was our way.

Blessed and Thankful to accept the forgiveness He died for me to have. Thank you Jesus!