Sunday, June 27, 2021

Celebration Vacation (Nebraska and South Dakota)

We had a couple days at home to do laundry and repack before heading up to Nebraska to celebrate the Senior Stahl's 50th wedding anniversary!






After an evening celebrating, the next day we headed up to South Dakota to a cabin in the black hills for a family celebration vacation.

Some ping pong while they wait for everyone to pack.

We stopped off at Evan's Plunge where you could swim in a naturally spring-fed pool.
My kids loved that there were rocks on the bottom!


The cabin was located in Custer State Park and Sarah's family brought up
 the gater and four-wheelers to enjoy.

These two are always up for a card game.

A cabin favorite for my guys - the basement pool table!

We took a walk around Sylvan Lake in Custer State Park.



Needles Highway

We drove through a couple of these on the way.

Another fun stop and favorite memory...can't explain this place but it's a fun experience!





We had some time before we wanted to head up to Mt. Rushmore so we fit in a round of putt-putt.


Mt. Rushmore


Ice Cream for supper.

We stayed for the evening show.

We toured Wind Cave.
This was the kid's first time in a cave and it did not disappoint.



Names/writings from many years ago when people would come down for cave tours.


The opening where they found Wind Cave.
Depending on the temperatures, it will be blowing wind out or pulling it in.


Coffee on the balcony.

Train ride!


Loved the views and also the steam train.



The Purple Pie Place


Checking out buffalo/bison at Custer State Park.


Lorelei loved her kitten time back at the farm.


On the drive home we went through Kansas and had to check out the World's Largest Easel!

Wednesday, June 16, 2021

OM Florida Trip Part 2

We got up bright and early and headed to Universal the next morning. We rode with the Scotts (Brad, Brittany and Rory Kate stayed at the condo...) and met up with the Romeo's. The kids were beyond excited to get to see Harry Potter World with friends!


Oh added bonus we don't want to forget! Mask mandate was gone! Woo hoo!



Into the bank ride they went. :)

Hogwarts Express

Flight of the Hypogryph



The kids tried a couple rides over in the Jurassic Park section.

Three Broomsticks for lunch!





Oh yeah. Florida downpour. Can you tell who didn't bring water gear? :)



One last trip on the Hogwarts Express!



The next day we headed over to Clearwater. We met Christine and Jaedynn at CMA! What another dream come true!











SO excited to see the new facilities they have added since our last visit.

The underwater viewing areas were amazing.
She was so content to just sit and watch.
Do you spy one of her favorite dolphins? ;)

We loved the behind-the-scenes tour.

I love how they have naming themes for their rescues.

Keeping track of how much and which kind of fish each dolphin gets each day. Wow.





The Denman's purchased a dolphin experience for five because you couldn't hace a group of less,
 so they kindly asked our kids to join.




We still loved checking out the talks around the aquarium.
You can see the sea turtle being fed in this photo. If my memory is correct it is because he is blind.


Loved watching our old buddy Nicholas (their dolphin experience last time) play with his toys.
Nicholas is their most energetic dolphin and is so fun to watch.

Her happy place.


Watching the sea otters was a fun treat. They had fish put into the ice to make it a fun challenge for them to get their food.



After a fun-filled day at CMA we headed to the hotel and enjoyed a bit of time in the sand.

Ah toes in the sand.


We had nothing but beach days planned the next day and a half, but because of an ocean algae that was killing the fish, we decided we didn't need to be swimming in that! The kids did some swimming at the hotel pool instead. While we were swimming we were able to spot a dolphin pod swimming out in the bay. We did have a fun putt-putt golf place near our hotel and enjoyed it until the downpour. We also got to visit our favorite ice cream place we knew of from our previous visit to Clearwater.

Added bonus to putt-putt is there are usually some beautiful plants to enjoy.


The boys deemed this one of their favorite courses ever.
As you know this is a high compliment as we are putt-putt connoisseurs.