The Second Week

I'm posting in reverse for ease in scrolling later. Plus, if I ever get my act together enough to call my posts a "scrapbook," (something I wish I could do, but have generally accepted that I can't, or won't), this way it will be chronological.

After an exhausting week of non-stop play, we really needed a pedi. Grace, we missed you. Off came Mexican Sunset in exchange for Plum something-or-other. Mom got delicate pink, and Kath's toes were some kind of bubble gum. Mmm-mmm. There is nothing like girl time in a salon.We spent the Fourth of July up Mt. Air at the Warner cabin. This fire pit has been such a familiar part of my entire life that I take it for granted that my girls will know how to "do" a proper dinner around the fire.
As it turned out, this was their first time cooking a hot dog on a stick. What kind of parents are we?? They did remarkably well, ate a little ash (which I was always told was good for me, had protein, and was healthy. Lies, all), and roasted those huge marshmallows for dessert. Have you seen those? The marshmallows that are the size of a man's fist? They are amazing and look so cool roasting. But the eating reminded me a little of the end of Ghostbusters when they blast the Marshmallow man and end up with goo all over. ALL OVER. Still cool, though.

Oh, how we love our cousins!

Here is Lucy on what I realized later was her first ever merry-go-round. She completely loved it, and then it started moving and got EVEN BETTER.

This is the carousel at Hogle Zoo and it has some fantastic animals on it. You can ride a baboon, a cheetah, which, sadly, goes just as fast as the praying mantis and the ostrich. But, how cool to say you've ridden on the back of a seal, right?
Anna and Brooke chose the stately peacock.

We are establishing a tradition of hiking with the Ropers every time we come into town. This time, the Bitner kids came along, too, up to Albion Basin.
Snickers bars for everyone!
After a fun week filled with cousins and friends, we headed home along I-90. We just couldn't face eastern Wyoming and Nebraska again. I can safely say, after taking all three major highways across the country, that I-80 is the absolute worst drive in the United States. It's as if, during the creation, God ran out of ideas right there. And in the winter, it's pretty much like crossing the Bermuda Triangle.

Anyway, I-90 took us across northern Wyoming and South Dakota, home of Mt. Rushmore, and, apparently, Bedrock:
We had to stop for ice cream. Actually, the policeman who pulled me over the ONE time I drove on this trip told me about Bedrock. Yes, I was going 80 in a 55 zone. Kelly stared open-mouthed, however, as I left the encounter with a warning, two Wyoming Highway Patrol keychains, 4 little notepads for the girls, and a list of things to see in South Dakota. He had no idea I was so skilled at getting out of a ticket.

Here is the picture that most every family in America has, will have, or should have (their own family, of course, not mine):
Mt. Rushmore was so much better than I anticipated and we can't wait to go back and camp in one of the little towns just outside of it. These tourist towns are so kitchy, it's like stepping back in time. It's the mecca of KOA's. There's even a spot where you can feed wild animals out your car windows. It was fantastic!

Then we stopped at Wall Drug, the second most famous spot in South Dakota.
I don't know what to say about it. We had their chuckwagon dinner and salad bar. Look at us. After 14 hours in the car, this is about what you should expect.
It was a long drive home, but really fun and now we have a clear plan for our next drive to Utah, whenever that may be.