Tuesday, June 19, 2012

Home

We are home from South Dakota.  We are unpacked and back on our schedule.  Life has slowed down again.  Vacation is always such a busy time for us.  Family and friends need visiting (which we REALLY dropped that ball this time!), hot spots need marked off our bucket list (which is not written down), and playtime at the Mark Park.  I plan on showing you a glimpse into our vacation this week.  Come along as we take a look at our trip to South Dakota.  I can promise some branding, a graduation party, a visit to old Fort Meade, an underground surprise, a museum hold up, a bear or two or thirty, and maybe a dinosaur for good measure.  You won't be disappointed.  I bet your will be planning your next trip to the Black Hills of South Dakota.  You BETTER call us so we can meet you there!!!
 There are a few things about being home that are just wonderful!  Like finding a little girl sleeping on her daddy's pillow this morning.  His pillow was exactly the same distance away from her as my pillow, but Little Girl REALLY missed her daddy.  I think only Grandpa Bestgen can truly vouch for that.
There are a few things about being home that are not so wonderful.  Like an empty area on the bed when I fold clothes.  Blase stayed in South Dakota to help out at the sod farm.  I guess I didn't realize how much I'm really miss him until there was only ONE pair of socks in his pile.  Its also kinda obvious someone is missing when the chair at the end of the table is empty.  I sure hope he is having a good time.  We miss you, Blase.  Learn lots from your uncles and grandpa!  Don't be any trouble!  Say your prayers!  Wash behind your ears! ;)  Ok - just have fun and try your best all the time.

Saturday, June 9, 2012

Mark Park Fun

We've been in South Dakota for a week now.  We are having a BLAST playing and making memories.
 This goofy bird was at the Mark Park -but we can't figure out what it is.
 Here's a close up.
 Sliding...
 PILE UP in Aisle One
 Blase was checking out the swimming dam.
 Boating with Aunt Mauri and Uncle Loman.
 Pretending to be animals at the park one day.
 Barking like dogs...
 acting like monkeys...
 (too sweet!)
 running like cheetahs....
slithering like snakes...
crawling like turtles... 
 (tucked into their shells because its "raining")
 and sneaking like rats.
 Following the leader, the leader, the leader...we're following the leader where EVER he may go! (even walking backwards!)
 Fancy pants Stephen
Bear Butte after a storm....beautiful!

Friday, June 8, 2012

Get on the Bus

I'm not sure I'd trust that bus driver!

My brothers and sisters and I would play bus with the chairs all the time.  Such a wonderful memory for me!  I'm happy my kids are able to have memories like this too.

Thursday, June 7, 2012

Sisters and Coffee

 Take 1
 Take 2 (come on Kaylene)
 Take 3 (sweet Bella - again)
 Good enough!!  
L to R (oldest to youngest) - Karen, Mauri, Juliana, Kaylene
Brech caught a Tory fish.  What fun he had...and the giggles were contagious.

Wednesday, June 6, 2012

Garden 2012

 Our beautiful lilac bush.  It was blooming just as we left for South Dakota.
The Garden 2012
 onions
baby plants...hurry up we are hungry
 still hungry
 peppers and tomatoes
 squash and pumpkins and watermelon

Tuesday, June 5, 2012

Our First ND Lightning Storm

 The lightning was bright and the thunder was loud.
 After this flash I nearly wet my pants.  The thunder rolled and rumbled and shook the window I was standing by.  It reminded me why my dad would tell us to stay away from windows during a storm.
 See - it was nighttime.
I finally went to sleep pretending that the paparazzi was after me.

Monday, June 4, 2012