Badlands and Black Hills Trip September 2017

In the fall of 2017 Louie and I took a road trip out to the Badlands and Black Hills in South Dakota.

Prairie dogs as far as the eye could see!

We hiked up into the Badlands.

We had a really nice picnic.
      


Next we saw Mount Rushmore,

and Jewel Cave.

We drove through Custer State Park.  The scenery was spectacular.

We had another picnic lunch before it rained.

Needles Eye Tunnel

So many weird rock formations,

And more tunnels.

We toured the very historical Mount Moriah Cemetery in Deadwood, where Wild Bill Hickok and Calamity Jane are buried, among many others.

This herd of mule deer were walking through while we were there.

Barn Roof

The barn needed a roof, and I was so worried Louie would try to do it.  This was in 2017, so Louie was 65!  The guy you can barely see on the barn roof is NOT Louie!

Scary ladders!

Bradley Goes Back to School

I don't usually put pictures on here that I wasn't present for, but this is so precious, I can't take a chance on forgetting.  They had a welcome processional, and although it doesn't show in the video, Bradley went back through a second time, he loved it so much!
         

Gardens and Farm 2017

Here's an early Spring view that is so familiar!  Louie is doing his favorite thing: prepping his garden on his tractor.

Everything looks so lush and clean.

And later in August...

Here's a beautiful picture from last year.

Colorado Trip 2017

I drove out to Colorado to see Jolie and the kids in the summer of 2017.  I stayed in a hotel and the kids came swimming.

Ali convinced Bradley to dive under water for her video.
            


I brought tools and supplies for a project, a Fairy Garden, which Ali made while Jolie had to finish up a job.

We took it outside and set it up in its permanent location. She added so many delightful details.

One of the days we went swimming at Mulberry Pool.  Ali loved my waterproof camera and took lots of videos.
        

       

       

        

Another day we went to the Denver Children's Museum. There were so many different activities!  This first one was a three-story climbing structure.

Giant Bubbles

Giant Lite-Brite!

Her creation

We went camping for a couple days.  Ali got interested in a flock of ducks who walked through the campsite with their Mama.  She took LOTS of pictures.  These are her best.

It was such a wonderful reunion!

New Baby Mateo

Shelly's new baby Mateo was born May 9th, 2017.  So exciting!

And we got to babysit!