Something old, something new....

Last Saturday Grace was on her very first overnight, out-of-town trip with a friend.  Jason was working and Ella, Lily and I were looking for something to do.  Normally the three of us are quite content just staying home and occupying our time but I decided we needed to go somewhere, do something and so we did. 

The Old Courthouse Museum has been on my list of places to visit for some time now.  Jason and the girls have visited this local attraction but I had not yet had the pleasure.  I wasn't quite sure what to expect and I was right to not anticipate because no way would I have expected an exhibit on "The History of Underwear"...

An interactive exhibit, no less...

Following our education on underwear through the ages, we checked out a buffalo and all of it's various parts and the historical usage of those parts...

Next, Lily got up close and personal with a vintage automobile...

Riding in a hot air balloon has always been a dream of mine so the next exhibit was of special interest to me...

The girls and I then ventured upstairs for what I thought to be the coolest and most nostalgic exhibit, "Drive-In's of Sioux Falls"...

And finally, we learned about dogs and the jobs and roles they have had throughout history.  Lily was particularly enamored with this doghouse...



Not the only time she will be in the doghouse, I am sure.

She also fell in love with this little adorable although somewhat creepy to me, preserved chihuahua...

In addition to all of the wonderfully interesting and creative exhibits, the building itself is beautiful and full of history...

Our attention had been fully captured...

There was just no better way we could have spent this lazy, free, unhurried Saturday afternoon.  Hours spent exploring memories while creating our own.

It was picture perfect.

In sickness and in health...

Valentine's Day is always a much anticipated holiday in our house.  Of course we love each other very much regardless of the day of the week but I think it is not a bad idea to set aside one day specifically to make sure those you love, know you love them.  

The concepts of "for better or for worse" and "in sickness and in health" are givens.  We love each other no matter what, that's no doubt.  However, little did I know that the "in sickness and in health" portion of the equation was going to come so very much into play.  Over the past few weeks Influenza A, strep throat and the good old stomach flu have all reared their very, very ugly heads and no one has been spared.  I believe Grace kicked the influenza party off .  As Jason and I then struggled through influenza and strep, but we had our fingers crossed that it would not hit the other two girls.  Fortunately it didn't.  Unfortunately, they were blessed with the stomach flu instead.

Prior to the flu hitting Lily, she was able to attend her very first Valentine's Day party and she had a fantastic time.  She loved playing with play-doh...

 She loved spending some time with her buddy, Joshua...

 She loved singing about love...

 She loved her self-decorated cupcake...

 And she really loved playing "Sweetie, Sweetie, Tart"~a Valentine's spin on "Duck, Duck, Goose".

 Sadly, the love ended shortly after the party and poor Lily went down hard.  Throwing up for almost 20 hours took the wind out of her sails and our annual Valentine's Day hotel visit was in jeopardy.  Fearful of dehydration, Lily visited Urgent Care and was given medicine to stop the madness.  After a dose of her medicine and a good night's sleep, our sweet little Moocher was back in action and off to the Ramada Inn we went for an afternoon, evening and morning of swimming, relaxation and uninterrupted time together....

Healthy, well-rested and thoroughly relaxed, we decided to take advantage of the glorious weather with our first 2011 trip to the zoo...

We were amazed at how much the baby giraffe had grown since we last visited...

And adored the adorable meerkats...

Ella and Lily even tried to mimic the way the meerkats snuggle...


For better or for worse.  In sickness and in health.  At the hotel or at the zoo.  On Valentine's Day or on Thursday.  The one thing I can always count on, the one constant is the love.  It's always there, no matter what and for that I am so very thankful.