Nebraska Vacation

Before going back to Grandma and Grandpa's, we made a few stops throughout Nebraska.  First, we drove around and stopped at Lake McConaughy.  Then, we drove to Grand Island and visited the Golden Spike Tower.  Golden Spike Tower is an 8 story tower that shows Union Pacific's Bailey Yard.  It's the word's largest train yard.

Kingsley Dam

Nebraska's Largest Lake

Golden Spike Tower

The manage over 10,000 railroad cars per day.

More history on the trip.  Never knew that there were such as thing as Orphan Trains.  They would send kids on trains and they were dispersed throughout the United States to orphanages that had room.  

South Dakota Memories

As we continued on our vacation, our next stop was The Badlands in South Dakota.  From there, we went to see Mount Rushmore.  It was the first time for me and the kids to see it.  We really enjoyed it and was surprised at how much we enjoyed learning about the history surrounding the sight.  

Who doesn't want a picture taken with the Oscar Mayer Wiener?  That would be Cody. 

Our two dare devils.

Our home state.

Our "right now" home state.

Each state has a plaque that dates when it was admitted into the union and each state flag is displayed. Very cool.

Minnesota Nice

Shortly after arriving in Nebraska for our short vacation, we headed north to Minnesota.  My dad, Cody, Samantha, Chloe and I were going to visit my grandparents.  It was wonderful to see them!!  They enjoyed seeing how much the kids have grown and we had a good time catching up.

On the way back to the motel, we stopped by Lake Benton to skip some rocks.  Something so simple can be a memory that lasts for years!

Grandpa showing them how to skip rocks.

Looking for the perfect rocks.

Cody giving it a try.

Girls are looking them over.

It was windy, but a good picture anyway.

They loved seeing all of the windmills.

Hundreds of them for as far as we could see.

Birthday and Bowling

While we were in Nebraska visiting, Cody decided he wanted to go bowling for his birthday activity.  We had a great time!  Never a dull moment with five feisty kiddos.  The birthday boy squeaked out a win in the last frame, but the others gave him a run for his money.

Dylan and Cody

Dylan and Samantha

Chloe sneaking her way into the picture with Samantha.

Samantha and Logan

Chloe was very excited about how she did.

Miss Samantha

Dylan, aka Dragon

Logan boy

Cody, the birthday boy

It would be just like Chloe to get smacked in the face when the ball comes out.

Free massages by Chloe.

Happy Birthday, Cody!!