Summer Vacation

Our Summer Vacation started off with a visit from Nana, James, Cindy and their two beautiful daughters.  We had a fun visit with them.  We enjoyed planning for Nana's upcoming wedding.  We also went fishing, gold panning, on a hike, to the park.  We even went to Denver and enjoyed a swim.  It was fun to watch the kids play together.  It was fun to watch Makai say, "There my cousins!"  I'm thankful they were willing to make the journey from their home.  I realized I didn't even take out my camera while they were here.  Maybe because Cindy had hers out.  I need to get some pictures of the week from her.

A few days later we got a visit from Mammy and Grandpop.  We decided to take a vacation while they were here.  We decided to go to South Dakota to see Mount Rushmore.  I have to say it didn't disappoint.

We made it!!

Monty and Makai having a moment.

Grandpop found an awesome place to take a perfect picture.

A picture of the boys.  It took a while, but we almost got everyone looking at the camera!:)  

 

 We also went to Mt. Rushmore Caves.

Kyle is part cave man!  He loves these adventures.

Cool Ty!

You can get married here if you want!  Really, they do wedding ceremonies by this little pool of water.

Makai, playing in the water outside the cave.

We concluded day one with a trip to the pool to cool off.  Kory floated for the first time.  He's starting to get really brave in the water.  He had a personal swimming lesson from Mammy and felt pretty special.  Thanks Mammy.

Day two we went to Bear Country USA.  I have to say it was awesome.  You drive down a road and feel like you are entering Jurassic Park.  They have animals like Elk, Buffalo, wolfs, long horn sheep.  However, the highlight is of course the bears.  We saw several bears...probably 50 or so.  It was amazing to just watch these bears hang out.  Each had their own personality.  The first bear we saw was a little ugly.  Okay, he was just shedding.  I had no idea that bears shed like they do, so I had to get a picture. 
The bear to your right was just handing in the location I'd be hanging.  Cooling off in the pool.  It was kinda funny because when it got out Mammy said, "Wouldn't it be cool to watch the bear shake."  No sooner did she say it than the bear shook.  When we were leaving there was a bear the boys called the 'guard bear'.  He would walk back and forth along the gate and only let one car leave at a time.  Totally a type A personality bear.



Across from the driving area there was an area that you could get out of your car and see the babies of the animals.  This was a highlight of the visit as well.  We met Yoga Bear.

This bear was a crack up.  He was always posing for the crowd. Kyle just said he was doing his morning Yoga. 

This was too cute to see.

 We kept warning the kids to be careful of their flip flops as they could fall into the animal areas.  Trey lost his in the baby bear area.  He was so sad because we just said, "Well, you gotta just deal."  However, the nice people that worked there said they'd get it for him.  I was kinda glad he dropped him flip flop because when the workers went to get it the baby bears came out to play!

Trey crying over his flip flop.

Mammy and Grandpop

Kory and Grandpop

 As a last minute adventure Monty found that if we went just slightly off course we could visit Fort Laramie Wyoming and part of the Oregon Trail.  It was so worth the slight diversion. 

Some must push, and some must pull.  Kinda humbling.  The boys at Fort Laramie.  (Oh, and some play in the sprinkler.  Makai wouldn't leave the sprinkler for the pictures.)

My boys!

Cutest oxen I've ever seen!!

Makai turned it into a car. The kid is so 21st century. 

This is part of the Oregon Trail in which you can see the makings of the wheels through the stone.  The wind was so strong here and with a few drops of rain we got a glimpse(and I use that loosely) what things were like for those crossing the United States to get to the West.

Tyler stepped in a cactus.  Good thing he had flip flops.  Made me feel for those who crossed that land without shoes. 

We had so much fun.  I'd relive the entire trip if we could.  Okay, maybe not some moments in the car, but I have to give the boys credit.  The did amazing on a trip.  Oh, and for the record, if you are ever driving through Wyoming be prepared to the ABC game to take a while!