Truth (South Dakota Part 3)

Part way through our trip to South Dakota I needed to be reminded of some truth...you see our family is not perfect.  We have had our share of struggles.  There were some moments that were hard.  

I am reminded that we are called and love and share compassion.  We are not called to judge and be critical.  We have the privilege of being able to go to God with whatever it is that we need to share, He cares so deeply for all of us.  

I feel blessed to have friends and family I can call on to pray...and I am humbled by God every time.  He is faithful.

South Dakota (Part 2)

Friday morning we woke up and had a lazy morning at the Blue Bell Lodge, where we each had our own cabins.  I went for a walk with a bunch of the cousins, so fun to hear them all chatting and laughing.  They get along so well.  It's such a blessing.  Everyone was pretty worn out from the prior days of travel, no one was very excited to get back into a car.

We decided to go on a Buffalo Jeep ride in the park.  We had a nice lunch at the State Game Lodge before we headed out in 2 jeeps to see what we could find.  Buffalo are beautiful to watch roam.  The kids especially enjoyed it, Cara and I rode in a jeep with all of the kids, but Tommy.  It was cute to hear them chattering away, the boys were into it and were very into driving through mud puddles.  Max lasted through most of it, but slept through the end.

After a beautiful ride we headed back to our cabins for a little down time before dinner and heading to see Mt Rushmore and be there for the lighting ceremony.  What a beautiful site Mt Rushmore is, having not been there since I was 6 years old I didn't remember much.  We found seats in the Amphitheater and watched a movie about Mt Rushmore and listened to a Park Ranger speak.  They lit the monument.  Then after the lighting,  they called down all veterans or anyone who has served or is currently serving in our Armed Forces.  My Dad headed down, he was in the army....it was so touching to see HOW many people ended up on the stage.  After the flag was lowered, the Ranger asked each of their names and the branch they served in, you couldn't help but tear up.  And it always reminds me of my Uncle Harold Lee who died while serving our country, and how much South Dakota means to my Dad, his brother and our family roots.

It was a beautiful way to spend the evening...

More to come....

South Dakota (Part #1)

We are home from a wonderful weekend in South Dakota...taking in all of the tourist sites we could come up with.  My parents wanted to have all of us together to celebrate their 50th Anniversary as a family, no party at church, no open house...just back to good ole' South Dakota.  I will try to do our trip in order, but in a few posts.  Too much to write in one place.  

Our family left Waukee early Wednesday afternoon and made a stop at the Corn Palace in Mitchell, SD to see it.  My Dad played basketball there in High School. 

 Inside the Corn Palace, the gym my Dad played on is the gift shop in the summer months

Tommy not so thrilled about this photo op, but okayed it to go on blog just not social media. :)

We thought this was lovely on my Love...

What a beautiful drive...like a painting

Sunset in South Dakota...chasing the sun all day long

 Most of us then met in Pierre SD on Wednesday night. Our oldest niece Ariana couldn't get out of work to be there until Saturday so we started the adventures without her.  

Thursday Morning....

We loaded it up and headed from the hotel.  

We visited the Capital on Thursday, my Dad worked there as a lobbyist and my Mom a secretary when they were first married.  (that was news to me that Mom worked there too)

 South Dakota State Capital

 We pretty much took over the place

Shislers on the steps

 Posing as statues

More posing

We visited the Veterans Memorial they have in front as well, it happened to be the birthday of my Uncle Harold Lee that day which choked me up a bit.  He would have been 82 I believe.

We then headed west towards the Badlands.  We stopped enroute to visit the Prairie dogs and feed them.  Only in SD would there be a Prairie Dog spot.

 

 Max posed this picture...so funny

 Worlds largest Prairie Dog

Then onto the Badlands, what a beautiful place.  Just a random surprise as you are driving to have completely different landforms.  Beautiful.  We got out for some pictures and were praying there were not going to be any rattle snakes around.  Mom especially was praying.

 My Mom canNOT stand snakes...NOPE not one bit

From the Badlands we headed to Wall Drug...can't be on 90 and not stop at Wall Drug.  We had a donut there, just okay and headed back on the road.  

By 6 pm we were in Custer National Park at our cabins at the Blue Bell Lodge.  Tired out and hungry. We unpacked quickly and headed into Hill City to have dinner at a place my friend Ginnie suggested that serve only Filet Mignon and amazing desserts.  It was a farther drive than we anticipated but it was worth the drive.  

The next morning the kiddos and I went for a morning walk and everyone ran and greeted Papa.... 

More to come...