Blackhills/Yellowstone Days 1 and 2

With a full weekend/Monday schedule, it just worked out best to leave at night and drive straight through. Marshall always tells me I'm crazy, but it really does work for us. (Read here for our Middle of the Night drive to Colorado) At 4:30am, it was, "Look kids....The Corn Palace!" Sunrise over South Dakota then the famous Wall Drug for flapjacks. Day 1 and 2 were kinda one in the same.

Full bellies and a full day of sights ahead of us, we jumped back into the car to drive through the Badlands. The first of many awe inspiring geological features we saw. The world was certainly Trent's jungle-gym on this trip.

If he could have climbed up Mount Rushmore to actually pick George Washington's nose instead of pretending to in the picture, he totally would have.

Lunch was on the road, which got old real fast, but like I said...."Places to Go!" We did have some great scenery to take in while we were eating, Custer State Park Scenic Byway. The first of 3 Scenic Byways we travelled. I'm sure you get the idea of a Scenic Byway, but to clarify, the ones we drove were Mountains, Mountains and Mountains. I L.O.V.E., love driving in the mountains!

Dinner was at the Circle B Ranch in Hill City, SD. A real friendly little place with a great atmosphere. Wax bullet shooting, Cattle Rope'n, A shootout skit for the kids with the Biscuit Bandit before dinner, and a Cowboy Concert after dinner. We finished the night off at Mount Rushmore (or as Callie calls it "More-Mount-More-Rushmore").

Let's Give Em Something to Talk About

Well it's about time somebody posted something on this poor lonely blog. (Cough!) it's a little dusty in here....Give me a second to brush off the cobwebs. There, much better. (Tap, Tap....) Is this thing on? Anybody out there? We'll if you're still reading, I have some exciting news. (No I'm not pregnant! - But my Sister and S.I.L. both had babies!)

We took a family vacation! Our first official, just us, family vacation. We've had lots of adventures, (Lacrosse, Michigan, The Cabin, Disney, and Marshall and I with The Virgin Islands)(Click to read all about them!) but besides a hockey weekend, this was our first family trip. I have to be honest, I had a little anxiety attack before we left. Not sure if it was all the planning, or the packing or the amount of time we were gonna be in the car, or the miles we were gonna be driving, or the time frames, or the directions, or the ungodly amount of things on the calendar before we left, including the timley/untimely celebration of Callie's Birthday! Be still my heart! And you know me, I WORK, under-pressure! Super-Mom! Everytime we would talk about the trip I found myself warning the kids (And preparing myself....) "We're gonna be in the car a long time." "We really need to focus on getting along." "Mom and Dad might get a little grumpy from lack of sleep, cause we have to drive all through the night to get there!" After some reflection, I changed my tune. "We are gonna have such a great time." We are going to see such amazing things." "We are going to make such great memories." It felt so much better "preparing" for that. And THAT is exactly what we did!

Where it's at

So I guess Jennyography is where it's at lately. Jump on over there and catch up on the day to day with my Project 365.

Bowling Birthday

My bowling league kinda fell through this year, so I was excited to dust off my bowling shoes for a bowling birthday bash for my Mom. I ended up with the most pins overall, but my Dad and KD gave me a run for the money. I loved watching KD bowl with her pregnant Belly. It sure didn't slow her down any!
Culver's IceCream Treat!

Year in Pictures 2011

Kiss another year Good Bye!
Thanks for the memories 2011. Hello 2012!
Chasing Time Year in Pictures.

Merry Christmas 2011

I would like to go on record and say this was one of the best Christmas's yet. So relaxing, so simple, so low key, no muss and fuss.

We'll maybe just a little....
After rescheduling three dates, we finally made it as a family to "A Christmas Carol."

The Ghost of Christmas Future is so much more intimidating on stage. He's just a softy in real life!
The first two dates didn't work because Marshall was travelling for his new job, a two week training!

It turned out great cause our first reschedule allowed us to attend Santa on the Square in E.T. and get together with our friends afterward.

At the school Christmas Play Trent had a starring role. "Claw" Bear. In Bailey and the Bees. A heart warming story about giving and taking care of each-other.

There never was a cuter bee, buzzing on her kazoo.

They did a great final number with the whole school. Catchy tune...."Glor-i-ous! Absolutely Marvel-ous! Fabulous! Won, won, wonderful. Beau, beau, beautiful. Love, love, lovely lets celebrate!"

Decorating Cookies at Grandma's.

Minus the snow! We'll have to get some sledding pictures another day, if it ever does snow this winter!!

It's a toss up whether there was more sprinkles on Callie's cookies or in her mouth!

Being veteran Caroling Party Hosts, we had that one in the bag. Marshall even made figgy pudding. You know its a party when someone lights a dessert on fire! Sing it...."Now bring us some Figgy Pudding, now bring us some Figgy Pudding....!" Marshall fulfilled his dream of green pants with Red Plaid Ribbon Trim. Callie and I splurged at the dollar store and bought the musical tie. What will he come up with to add to the outfit next year???

Awwww! Picture doesn't do it justice. (Don't ever let anyone tell you the new I-Phone camera takes great pictures!)

Christmas Eve at my Mom's, complete with a fabulous Pork Tenderloin and Domino Potatoes compliments of my Uncle Butch who is a fabulous chef. Great to have him back in the kitchen.
After the majority of the clan left we had our family gifts and snuggle/smokes time with Auntie Kate's belly and the boys stinking up the place with their Christmas Cigars!

Though I don't love the lung pollution, isn't my Dad Bad A**!

Santa was remarkably good to Callie this year. All along, the thing she wanted most was a Nintendo DS. I kept telling her NO. That's all we need is more electronic distractions! "Well I'll just ask Santa for it then," was her response with hands-on-hips in the sassy-est, most defiant voice her 6 yr old self could muster. And me with hands-on-hips saying, "Well I'LL just call SANTA and tell him, I say NO!" Guess what Callie found under the tree.

That Santa and me are gonna have some words. It's becoming clear to me, the control I thought I had over this household is a bit fuzzy.

We minimized a bit this year. I missed our traditional Christmas morning breakfast with the rest of the family, but, I didn't miss the rush of it.

Marshall the kids and I had a nice morning with perfect sticky buns and p.j.'s til we dressed to go to Marshall's Parents.

And speaking of minimizing, I love the fact that the kids gifts are getting smaller. This year, all traces of Christmas gifts have already found a place, where as years past, they sat out for waaaay to long cause there was just soooo much bulk to them I didn't know where they should go.

This Christmas came and went really fast. I am already missing it and relishing in the memories. I think what makes this Christmas so great was the fact that we kept with the tradition without the stress of going over the top. Sometimes its the simplest things that make the most difference.

Merry Christmas 2011. Sending Love.

Happy St. Nick Day

The kids had a half day today, so we decided to take the whole day off in honor of St. Nick Day. I love sleeping in! What a great relaxing day.
Callie wanted to make sure St. Nick got something from us (to eat). "You can have enething (anything) that we have." Trent suggested the Marshmallow Mateys (Generic Lucky Charms). Looks like St. Nick liked the Matey's!