I'm Back!

I made it home safe and sound.  I had a wonderful trip to California.  I loved it.  Loved the ocean.  Loved San Francisco.  Loved Half Moon Bay.  Loved Niles.   Loved the time with my sweet friend.  Loved getting reacquainted with their kids.  Loved their dog.  Loved the food.  Loved the food.  Loved the food.  Did I mention the food was really good?  It was so good, I am now afraid to step on the scale!

I'll have to tell you more about my trip later.   I need to get caught up with my children, my hubby, my house, my blogging friends, and my sleep.

Blessings,

I'm Flying Away

Today I am leaving for California.  I am excited for a little mommy only time away.  It's bittersweet too.  I don't know if I am going to be able to handle six days away from the ones I love more than life itself:

The King and Jester working on Jester's physics project.

Duchess and Maiden the day Maiden got her ears pierced.

Squire reading the paper and enjoying a snack.

Jouster and Prince Charming worn out after an evening of guitar hero.

Prince Charming and Scribe in a self portrait.

Our blog will still have activity while I'm gone.  I have scheduled posts to be published almost every day.  I will be checking in from CA, so don't be afraid to leave a comment.

Catching Some Rays

Jester and Jouster tanning by the camper. I remember those days. When I had no fear of skin cancer. No evidence of wrinkles. No sun damaged skin. All the time in the world. Ah, to be a teenager again.

Charades

Can you tell who Squire and Scribe are acting out? Here's a clue:
They had a blast at the Crazy Horse Monument. (No pun intended.)

Hangin' With My Dad

Here is the King with Prince Charming on his back.
If I did a scrapbook page of this photo, I would have to label it, "Has anyone seen Mt. Rushmore?" Or, "Excuse us, are we close to Mt. Rushmore?"

I don't know what they were looking at, but it certainly wasn't George Washington.

Tourist

Here is Duchess hiking around Devil's Tower. Doesn't she look like a tourist? Camera bag on one shoulder, purse on the other. I had to laugh when I saw this photo of her...the sunglasses on crooked, the piggy tale off center.

We tried to talk her out of making the 1.3 mile trek. We had forgotten to pack her sneakers in the camper so she was wearing a pair of sandals. She told us she could do it. "My feet won't hurt, I won't get tired. Please let me go!" How could we say no to that? She joyfully went onward while I stayed back with Maiden and Prince Charming. The King said she never once complained or fell behind. When she finished the hike she was beaming with pride.

The next day we bought her a new pair of shoes for hiking. After walking for most of the day, she looked up at me and whispered; "Thank’s for my new shoes. They are sooooo comferble. My feet kind of hurt at Devil's Tower, but that's o.k., they don't hurt now."

She makes my heart sing.

BFF (Best Friend Forever)

Here is a picture of my cousin Chris and I. Her family was in the Black Hills at the same time we were. They came to see us at our campsite in Spearfish. She has been one of my very best friends since as early as I can remember. Even though we don't see each other or talk very often, we can always pick up where we left off.

Home Again

We are home. It feels good to be back after 12 days away. The lawn looks as short as the day we left so we must not have had much rain. (The royal gardener is happy about that.) The garden looks o.k. but very weedy (royal gardener not happy).

I will try to get pictures posted in the next few days.

Royal Visit

The King decreed the time had come for the Royal Family to visit the Duke of Pierre (The Queen's father).

We left home yesterday for our family vacation. We had planned to make it all the way to my dad's house in Pierre, but due to a late start, and numerous stops for gas, we made it as far as Miller. This is our first big trip with our camper and were slightly disappointed to find we only got 7-7.5 mpg. We were hoping for eight.

Today we arrive in Pierre to meet up with dad and Ronda, and will caravan out to the Black Hills. We will be staying in Spearfish. Hopefully the mosquitoes are not as ferocious as they were when we set up camp last night.

Both the King and I love South Dakota. Even though we've been away for sixteen years, we will always be South Dakotan's at heart.