Dakotas 2016

Another trip to the Dakotas is under our belts. I'm so happy we are able to do that. Can Griffin miss a week of kindergarten next year? We'll have to see. I think I say it every year, but it one place where my husband is more relaxed and happier than usual. We love it. 

On this trip, we were joined by my parents. I think they had a good time, though my Mom may be a little scarred for life after being around so many dead animals. 

The second row of the rental - see that spot between the seats? that was mine!

Always travel lightly with children

the best part of being squeezed between 2 car seats for a day and half

dinner at the Chili's in Sioux City, IA

video chat with daddy from the hotel that night, we were so close!!!

Cotton had been working hard!!

We did a little rock climbing/picking. 

Beautiful country!!

 

we had a lot of fun with Eric's drone

A couple years ago, a black lab was dumped by a real jerk down at the farmhouse. Griffin named him Pistol and we took care of him while trying to find a good home. After a few weeks, he ended up moving to South Dakota to live with Merlin. It's amazing to see how happy and loved he is. It was especially awesome when he tracked and caught a wounded bird of mine for me on the last day. We high-fived and took a picture. I love happy endings.

And now we wait until next year for more fun in the Dakotas.

Happy Halloween 2016

Halloween 2016 began with a party at daycare!! 
Griffin wore his fireman outfit, but Coop laid low in regular clothes. I was anticipating some trouble with his costume for the evening, so we let him go casual during the day.

Thanks to the daycare FB page that I stole these pics from. They are so good to our kids. We are really fortunate.

It felt a little strange to have Halloween on a weeknight for some reason. I rushed home from work to get the boys and head straight to Drew's grandparents house for a quick happy meal dinner and to change for the evening fun.

Our costume theme began with an old bear outfit that a co-worker of mine had and offered for us to use. It was the perfect size for Griffin, and Cooper would have been a hunter to accompany him. However, even with all the convincing and attempted brainwashing.....I couldn't get Griffin to happily agree to be the bear. So then I began the search for an affordable bear outfit for Coopster, who isn't quite as hard to get along with right now. Ears were found on Etsy, and the rest of what they wore was pretty much already on hand. Very cost effective year!!!

 The church had a fall festival with bounce houses and good food.

 We also made a quick stop at the fire station. 

We finished the night with a quick visit to Mimi, and then I put the hunter-turned-vampire to bed.

*Side note: Cooper is terrified of vampire teeth. It is sad and cute at the same time.