Visit from IL and Mini-Vacation for Renee!!

Last week, my friend Emily came up for a visit. We were able to take her around to a few places and let her have a "feel" of our new home. We explored Sioux Falls again and found a new, AWESOME park! Of course, you will have to wait until the next time we go to see some pictures. =) We also ventured out to Walnut Grove to learn a little more about Laura Ingalls Wilder. This particular museum had a lot of memorablia and pictures from the TV show. We also drove out to Plum Creek and the spot of their sod home. It has since caved in, but you can get the idea of how big it was. There is also an area near that you can spend the night on a sod home, but I don't think I am that adventurous - especially with the weather getting colder!!

This past Monday, Emily and I set out for a quick visit to The Badlands and Mt Rushmore. Yes, I left the kids with Doug. They all survived and the house was not even a disaster -- all this with a little help from a couple beers. hahah Monday we hit The Corn Palace, Wall Drug, The Badlands, and a little of Custer State Park. We found a fun little micro brewery for a late supper and both tasted buffalo. Not much different from plain ole beef. We accomplished a lot, but it was a loooong day in the car. The time changes in the middle of SD, so we gained an hour as we traveled. Tuesday we headed for Mt Rushmore, Crazy Horse, and back to Custer State Park to see some Bison. Unfortunately all we saw were deer. Then we started our journey back to MN. Once again it was a long day and this time we lost an hour on the way back. We made it home at a decent hour and the kids were still even up to see us. (You know they missed Mommy!!)

I picked up LOTS of brochures and have been mentally planning our family trip to Mt Rushmore. There are a ton of things to do out there and I can't wait to take Doug. He has never been that far west before and maybe he will pick up another state - Wyoming.