Memorial Day Weekend

Several months ago a friend of ours asked if we wanted to go with them to South Dakota for Memorial Day weekend.  It sounded fun at the time, so we agreed.  It was truly a fun weekend.  I think our minds love the change of pace vacations bring. 
We left Friday afternoon pulling the kids our a school a few hours early!  They didn't mind a bit.  Interestingly enough the family we were going to share a cabin with left at the exact say time we did.  I recognized their car on the on ramp to the freeway.  So, we decided to meet up for pizza about three hours into the drive and it was a great start to our vacation. 
We stayed in some cabins just East of Custer South Dakota.  I got really excited when we pulled up and the moon was full, the deer were grazing and the little pond in front of cabin glistened.  We met up with several friends and just joked around the fire until bedtime.  Very relaxing.  The cabin was...rustic and dated to say the least, but it worked.  At least we didn't have to worry about our kids draggin in dirt, but as Tammy said, there was a NO SECOND rule if anything dropped on the floor. 
Saturday the boys woke up at the crack of dawn and went out to fish.  Tammy and I made waffles for breakfast and more waffles, and more waffles!(the box made more than it claimed)  Then we took the boys on a hike. 

Kory in  tunnel

Tammy, Jeff, Greyson, Monty and Trey

 

Tyler is always so helpful with Makai

We can always count on Kyle jumping in the water!

Cute kid, great view

8 little boys+water= lots of dares!

 We all had a great time on the hike.
Then we went back to the cabin and fished.  Everyone had success.

Whoo, whooo

Kory caught all kinds of fish that evening.

Love this picture of Makai! 

...real men fish with pink rods!



Kyle with the turtle we found crossing the road!

Even I caught my first fish.

And boys will be boys!  Tyler...this picture I will pay you back for one day!:)

Found it cute when Monty was fishing with a little princess fishing pole!

Tyler was interesting fishing. This kid has the patience of none other.  He'd wait all day if he had to.  During the heat of the day he was trying to fish, for hours and wouldn't give up.  Finally, I asked him to take a break because I felt bad and knowing he'd have better luck when it wasn't the heat of the day.  Sure enough, once the sun went down he caught several!  I admire his patience and determination.


Sunday we woke up and went to church.  Then we went to Bear Country USA and Mount Rushmore.  It was pretty overcast in the morning, but cleared up and was a nice evening. 

The group we went with, minus one family who went back to the cabin before the picture.

 

While at Mount Rushmore we ran into some friends of ours from Cheyenne.  It is such a small world.  Sunday evening was so relaxing.  We sat out and talked around the fire till about midnight.  We were all sad to see Monday morning come.  Time to go home.  Probably the only downer of the whole trip was when we got a ticket on the way home.  Who knew you had to drive 65 when in the middle of no where!  Monty was going 77, which I don't find too fast, but the highway patrolman felt differently.  Total bummer and not the best way to end a trip, but oh well...at least we all got home safe.