What to Do In South Dakota?

After visiting the Hepworths, we officially started our drive back across the country to Maine. We took our time--2 weeks-- because 1.) we wanted to see a lot of what the country has to offer on our way 2.) by this time our kids could only handle about 6 hours in the car at max. 

 The Billings Montana Temple was our first stop. We were able to let the kids run on the grass and eat lunch and stretch in the shadow of the temple.

 We stopped in Rapid City and Sioux Falls. We stopped at Mt Rushmore, mostly for Riley's sake. I saw it just a few years ago with Hinder, but it was surprisingly fun to go back and see it again, with new appreciation for those Presidents. (Riley adores Teddy Roosevelt and I'm a Lincoln fan) We tried to teach the kids a little about the featured presidents and the major things they did while in office, and I think all they will remember is the giant icecream cones we got at the end of the hike.

 Rapid City is so touristy and fun. It's evident that in a place with not much of anything natural to see (flat, prairie land) residents have tried hard to invite tourists with anything and everything they can think of. Billboards galore!

 We drove through downtown to peak at the President Statues that line the streets. I wish we had a few extra hours this day so we could have gotten out and found each one, but we didn't. Next time!

 

Hinder begged to stop at this giant advertisement for a fossil museum. It was seriously humungous.

 One of my FAVORITE things of the whole summer was driving through Badlands National Park. This was new to me, and totally blew my mind. What a unique place, hidden in the middle of a giant prairie.

 We drove the scenic route and let the kids climb and explore a little.

 It was like what I imagine the surface of the moon might be like. What a beautiful and diverse country we live in! 

Belgrade with the Hepworths

We left Rexburg, Idaho and traveled just a few hours to my sister in Belgrade, Montana. She just had moved to Montana a month before, so we changed our travel plans to include seeing her family on our way back to Maine. It was cozy with 4 adults and 4 kids in their two bedroom apartment, but we had tons of fun. My mom and dad even came up for a quick night to see us all one more time before we headed east. It was a fun few hours with them. I just love my family. Can't get enough of those folks!

Sweet cousin Kherington. She looks so much like her dad, and acts so much like her mom. ;) 

 Sno Cones! It wouldn't be summer without a shaved ice.

 Chubby baby! I can't believe she'll be a big sister in just a few months. What a special, darling girl!

 The view of the waterfall after our hike with Judd and D'laney. It was so pretty and a perfect hike.

 Knowing about our families love for dinosaurs, D'laney introduced us to a dinosaur themed playground they have in Bozeman. The kids were in heaven. They could dig for fossils, find dinosaur prints and eggs, and climb all over the fun castle toy.

 Of course they have to make everything into a dare-devil adventure. It's in their genes, I guess.

 It's just the pits that we live so darn far away! But I'm glad we were able to spend just a little more time with them before we started our journey back to Maine.

Rexburg with the Wilsons

 One of the BEST parts of our summer was spending a few blissful days with our besties in Rexburg, the Wilsons! We have had so much fun with them over the years, they are like family. We couldn't be in the west and not relive those days. And they were the best hosts, letting us crash their place and take over everywhere. 

One of the reasons Katy and I clicked so well as friends initially was our shared love of food. All good food. And being back in Rexburg, Riley and I had to try all our favorite restaurants one last time. So the three days together was full of the best food. Starting with Cocoa Bean Cupcakes almost immediately after our arrival. We've had cupcakes in Maine that have been featured on Food Network and Cupcake Wars and nothing comes close to these babies!

 

 The kids had a ball at Blast Off in Idaho Falls, and that evening we celebrated Taylor's birthday (belated) with a progressive dinner date. Best. Idea. Ever. I want it to be Taylor's birthday everyday.

 

 Our night (sans kids...hallelujah!) went something like this...

Appetizers at Applebees. Pretzel rods in beer cheese dip. Yes please! And wonton tacos.

 

Dinner at The Hickory. We've heard nothing but good things about this barbecue joint, and it did not disappoint. This burger was the best I've ever had! 

 Riley agreed.

 G's Dairy for Reeds ice cream dessert and finished off with custom sodas at SodaVine. 

I definitely had to unbutton my pants after this night but it was worth every calorie. 

We hit up old Rigby Lake and it was a billion times more fun than times past. The Wilsons delivered with beach toys galore and added bonus, we got to see our dear friends, the Mounts!

 Lots and Lots of playing and toys with Hinder and Ava. Ava was Hinder's very first friend. It was special to see them together again.

 Riley and I at the Rexburg Temple. We headed up the hill to do a session and saw that it was closed for maintenance. We have bad luck with that! But we enjoyed the temple grounds anyway.

 My beautiful friend!

 Make-shift camp fire smores on the lawn. These kids don't mind the faint hint of propane on their mallows. 

 I could go on and on about the game nights, laughter, movies, walks, shopping, run and other fun, but the greatest thing about being with the Wilson is just hanging out in our sweatpants chatting for hours. (with a bowl of M&M's or a pan of brownies. of course) They are simply the best and we're forever grateful for their friendship. 

Can't wait to play again!

More Pictures from Boise

After uploading all my phone pictures from our trip onto the computer, I stumbled on a few great pictures of our time in Boise. It brings back lovely memories of this summer.
Riley and the kids playing at the Boise MK Nature Center where I took one of my summer classes. 

 

We lucked out and just happened to be in Meridian at the same time as my cousin Kiya and her three cute girls. The newest, little Lennix Sophia, was only 2 weeks when we got to meet her. It was so great catching up with my childhood best friend/cousin. 

 

Like the beautiful hike to the mountain lily pad pond. Hinder, Vyla, Sidnee, Ainslee, JJ, and I were the only ones who went and I'm so glad we did. Hinder was so eager to do it and led the way. Being in the the mountains is wonderful.

Boise was hot, hot, hot the whole time we were visiting. Thank goodness for backyard baby pools to keep these diapered littles cool. Thanks for sharing your stuff Charlee and Bear!

The whole Hurst family on the pontoon boat! These people know how to do Red Fish!

 Conquering my phobia of the butterfly exhibit. You know those horrible places where you go in the zoo and you can walk among the butterflies? I hate those. Riley always gives me a hard time about whenever we visit a zoo , so when my class toured Zoo Boise, I went through and got a picture to prove to Riley that I did it. That explains the hesitant expression on my face. I bolted as soon as the photo op was over.

Oh Vyla! Her curls just about disappeared in the arid Idaho heat and were replaced with this... :)

 Two words. Albert Einstein.

Shoshone Falls. I missed this day because I had to be in a class, so I'm so glad to have the pictures to show me the day I missed. What a hidden gem!

Trampoline fun with the Murrays! Thanks to the Murray family for basically adopting us as part of the family for the month of July.

And Hinder's big leap! His first leap into a lake. I'm sure there are many more in the future. 

No fear here.

Looking back at the summer and all the trouble everyone went to show us a good time, we're even more convinced that we are part of the two greatest families. :) We love you guys. Thanks a million!
 Next stop...Rexburg...
But first, we stopped for lunch with Great Grandma and Grandpa Hurst in Twin Falls. I'm so glad these kids got to meet their Hurst great grandparents!

 (Hinder found different ways to stay occupied during the many hours in the van. Funny boy!)