Summertime Fun!

One thing I love about summer is the PARADES!

One of our local towns just had a centennial parade and Chad drove our kids and a few others from their 4-H club in the parade. Notice they didn't have much time to decorate so it is very plain but they all had fun despite the VERY hot temperature...98 degrees and very humid. Chad driving them through....they were entry #117.Courtney in front...Nolan (my nephew) with his back turned...Jeremy in the back with the yellow shirt...and a few others from the 4-H club.
Don't they all look thrilled...it was so HOT!
My sister-in-law on the Snow Queen float. She was the State Snow Queen in 1990 (correct me if the year is wrong, Kristi). She's on the far right and told me not to blog this picture....hence the picture....Gotcha Kristi!

I just love a PARADE!

Family Fun

First of all, my friend Michelle just started a blog and would love to have some visitors...if you have time, check it out.

I got together with my 3 siblings last night and we had a great time. Our kids have such a blast when we get together, which isn't as often as we should or as often as we would like.The cousins...taking a break from playing volleyball to pose for a picture. Nolan and Jeremy in the back....Nikki, Courtney and Mitchell in the front.
The 4 of us....Eric and me in the back, Rochelle and Cheryl in the front.
Uncle Eric helping the kids roast marshmallows and make smores. He loves his nieces and nephews.

FAMILY AND FUN TIMES....IT DOESN'T GET ANY BETTER THAN THAT!

Knee High by the 4th of July

Jeremy in the corn field behind our house.

Here's how tall the corn has gotten. It definitely made "knee high by the 4th of July"....an old farmers saying in case you hadn't heard it before. Like my mom and dad used to say you can almost hear it growing on the hot summer days.

Vacation Photos

Took some quick photos out the suburban window on our way by Pactola Lake....it was beautiful!I love the flag on top of the rocks!Pactola Lake again.
Chad and Courtney right before they rode the 1880 train. We were short on time so they only got to ride one way and I picked them up at Hill City.
Chad and Courtney at the end of their train ride. They took pictures along the way.....will post them when I have some time.

Hope you all had a great 4th of July....ours included a parade, volleyball game with friends, grilling out with friends and ended the evening with a few cocktails and a bon fire... and of course some smores!

God Bless the USA and all those who serve America....we thank you!

Friends

Right before we left for our vacation, I found out that one of my best friends from High School was going to be on vacation in the Hills, camping with her family. She moved to a neighboring state after graduation so I don't get to see her as often as I would like. So....we hooked up while there at the same time and had a great visit. My friend Michelle and me at the City Park in Spearfish. A beautiful place to camp.
There was a stream right by their camper that was gorgeous.
Courtney and me by the stream.


Michelle is one of my best friends and also a cousin. Her mom and my dad, who are both in heaven now, were first cousins. We had so much fun in high school and share many good (and not so good) memories! I am so blessed to still have her in my life, even though it is now from a distance. Michelle just started a blog....her site is on my side bar under Michelle, go check out her royal family, she would love to have you visit.

Thanks Michelle for taking time out to visit with me last week....I had a great time!

Vacation Lodging

We were lucky to be able to stay with my Mom, step dad and brother while on vacation. They have a house just a few miles outside of Rapid City so we got to spend some time with them which also helped on the vacation budget (who am I kidding, I wish we knew how to have a budget).This is the view from my Mom's backyard, isn't it beautiful??!! Out her front yard...just a little ways (almost walking distance) is a grocery store, java shop (they make the best frappucinno's), gas station and a restaurant.
This is my brother, Eric and his dog, Teary. I don't have a picture of my mom and step dad, will have to get one next time we get together. Eric is my baby brother (and only brother) and I kinda helped raise him since he was only 7 when my dad died. We have a really special bond and I love him to death!
This is Eric's dog, Teary (she is an Alaskan husky and has 2 different colored eyes). It is his baby since he isn't married and doesn't have any children.
This is THE BEER that Eric and I shared one night.

Back Home Again

Jeremy's team placed 6th in Silhouettes, 5th in Rapid Fire, 3rd in Slow Fire and ended up placing 5th overall in the .22 Pistol discipline. Jeremy shooting at silhouettes.

.22 Pistol team....Jeremy, Cory, Chad and Mandi

There were 450 youth from 32 states at the National Shoot.

We had a chance to do some site-seeing and had some fun with my family. I will post pictures this week.