What happened to July?

July started with my brother Spencer and his family

coming to spend a fun filled 4th with us.

And fun we had.

Everyday we thoroughly enjoyed the black hills and had so much fun.

We hiked around Sylvan Lake

(the lake that is shown in the second national treasure movie)

pretty sure they found the

secret rock that opens up the city of gold. Went to Jewel cave
the 2nd largest cave in the world.

Drove needles highway and iron moutain road.

joined the masses to watch fireworks at Mt. Rushmore

only to be weathered out at the last minute.

Very disappointing!

In all the years we have lived here

we have never attempted the crowds and

the one year we do we don't get to see them.

Went to story book island, dinosaur mountain

and spent a record of 8 hours at Watiki the indoor water park.

My family loves that place.

Finished off the the trip with an amazing hike

up little devils tower.

B-E-A-U-T-I-F-U-L!

We loved having them here.

The kids the first morning. Right after the "all you can eat 99 cent pancake feed". No, there jaws were not dropped from so amazing site, they all had jaw breakers in their mouths.

Mack and Megan


Creed and Kate in their "secret hiding place they found in the needles"

we are still waiting for the "city of gold to be revealed"
(this is right before that snaggle tooth fell out)

all the kiddos watching a movie

while waiting patiently in the parking garage

for our turn to go home after the fireworks that we couldn't see.

Its about 11:00 here. Pretty happy kids don't you think?

Jewel cave. This picture was taken in total darkness.

oldest to youngest on the dinosaur tail

I love this picture, Alexis and Mack aka "Jack and Jill"

at Storybook island.

Watiki

Thanks uncle Spence for hauling Cal up the mountain!

Our crew having a snack at the top.

What an awesome view!

after our hike we cooled off at Center lake and roasted hotdogs

and had smores. YUMMY