Headin' West...

After much packing, organizing and loading, Thursday morning we were finally ready to head west river. It has been five years since we have made it out to the Hills and this trip was long overdue. A couple of days being tourists while staying at a hotel in Rapid City and a couple of days being bums at the cabin in Deerfield Valley.

Our first stop was intended to just be a quick lunch in Wall but our plans quickly changed after we discovered all of the fun little things to see while at Wall Drug. I knew this was going to be a fantastic vacation as soon as I spotted my beloved Indian Taco on the menu and our vacation officially began... Of course, we had to hit every single souvenir shop and try out some of the items... And then we went touristing... Obviously, we couldn't pass this photo opportunity by...

The day was escaping us and we knew we had to get back on the road if we were going to make it to our original first stop. Plus, we were exhausted already...
We checked into our hotel, threw our bags in the room and were ready to take on Storybook Island, refreshed and excited to stretch our legs... We tried to recreate a couple of moments from our trip five years ago~one successfully... And one not so successfully due to my inaccurate memory...
We continued along the storybook path, visiting all of our favorite characters and stories...
And discovered the pot of gold beneath the rainbow... The requisite trip to the gift shop followed by supper, a manager's reception in the lobby of the hotel complete with free beer, pop and popcorn and a quick, yet incredibly refreshing dip in the pool rounded out our first day of vacation.
Friday, we awoke excited to see Mt. Rushmore (or Rount Mushmore as Lily referred to it). Once again, we loaded up and began the trek up the mountain and before long, we had our first glimpse of the famous monument...
My camera went into overdrive and took on a mind of it's own...
Hot, tired and full of history, our next stop on the tour of the west was Keystone and all of this quaint little city's offerings. Jason stumbled upon a couple of accessories that at first glance appear to be must have's but he ultimately ended up passing on them... Fueled by a lunch of pizza and tired of shopping, we swung by Bear Country USA to get up close and personal with some wild animals...

And, of course, record some more memories...

The girls were thrilled to get back to the hotel and wasted no time getting into the aquatic depths. They were doubly thrilled with the new "trick" they came up with...

On Saturday morning, it was time to depart Rapid City for beautiful Deerfield Valley.

As we drove and took in the scenery, Lily noticed something that didn't quite fit with the what she had been expecting to see in the "BLACK HILLS". As we passed by this area...

she quickly surmised aloud, "Oh, I guess those must be the ORANGE HILLS."

Once past the "orange hills" but before the "black hills", a pit stop at the diner in Hill City was in order. There was a beef and swiss sandwich on the menu that was touted as "unforgettable" and I felt it was my obligation to test their truth in advertising. It definitely lived up to it's name. I enjoyed that sandwich so very much and we all had a wonderful experience at the cute little 50's inspired diner...

Finally, we began our journey to the cabin via some of the most beautiful scenery I have had the pleasure of viewing...

And before I knew it, we had arrived at the little cabin in the valley...

The girls immediately begin to acquaint themselves with their surroundings...

And tried out their supermodel poses...

Lily's exploration of the cabin resulted in this blue hat which she immediately donned...

And set off in search of grasshoppers...

Lily's search for grasshoppers was fruitless so it was time for plan B~digging up worms...

And then, at long last, it was time to fish...

Thankfully (especially for Grace), this fishing trip was much less traumatic...

than the last time we fished in this particular spot...

The night grew chilly but we were so happy to be here...

Sunday was all about relaxing and enjoying the gorgeous surroundings. Jason and the girls did a little four wheeling exploration...

And then we spent some time hanging out around the cabin...

After a quick lunch, we decided it was time to hit Deerfield Lake and see if we could catch our supper...

Ella achieved Babe Winkelman status, pulling fish after fish out of the lake...

Unfortunately, we didn't end up bringing any fish home as they were all still babies. Lily was pretty stoked up to have caught two fish and to be caught by this little tiny butterfly...

Again, the landscape is just so spectacular, that the afternoon couldn't have been anything less than perfect for fishing...

For making fishy faces...

For posing...

For picking flowers...

Or for just enjoying the view...

The fishing trip was deemed a success by all involved...

And then it was back through the valley...

Jason, Lily and I took a little stroll before bed...

And happened upon some creatures, which pleased Lily to no end...

After one more night in the clean mountain air, unfortunately, it was time for our respite from the real world to come to an end.

We took a few more photos...

And hit the road, taking in our last glimpses of this...

Until next time.

Ten hut...

Sergeants Terry and Vickie were deployed to Sioux Falls, SD for two days to put Privates Jessica, Grace, Ella and Lily through a garage sale-ing boot camp. Thursday and Friday were spent pouring over terrain maps, scouting locations and ambushing the enemy.

After 9 hours of training, 94 miles logged, $66 spent and over 20 targets hit, I believe the mission could be considered a success...

I have been officially promoted from Private to Major(ly). Majorly exhausted, majorly never going shopping ever again and majorly in disbelief of how much fun I can have with my parents. Unbelievable amounts of laughs. So much fun.

Oh~and Dad, I found the furniture outlet. Can you believe it was right across from us while we were at Catfish Bay?

I don't understand how you didn't see it...

Thanks Mom and Dad. I love you. Sign.

Could it be that in losing it, I found it???

Control. How can I want it so bad yet lose it so often?

Why does having control over every minute detail of my life mean so much to me? At what point did I lose my ability to be spontaneous and flexible? And why do I allow my need to have control affect those around me? Questions I am seriously pondering today and hoping to find some answers to.

Control is such an interesting concept because most everyone desires to be in control yet ultimately does it really matter? Things happen as they are meant to happen proving over and over again that while we can make our choices both good and bad, in the end we are not the final decision makers. Why then is controlling the world around me so all encompassing to me? And why do I continue to put myself through the anguish of trying to gain control when it just ends up driving me crazy to the point where I finally lose it? How very contrary. Does it really matter if my day veers off it's carefully constructed but entirely unnecessary, and at times completely unreasonable, schedule? Kids will be kids, people will be people and life happens. That's just how it is and certainly no direct reflection of me personally or my worth as a person. How I deal with these shake ups to the environment I have crafted does involve me personally and it is at this that I am failing~all due to my unwillingness to adapt and relinquish my control.

I have come to the conclusion that the vast majority of my self-created stress and anxiety is derived from this great need to control not only myself but those closest to me and it is just plain ugly. Focusing on treating my girls with the love and care they deserve, nurturing them, teaching them right from wrong and providing them with support and guidance should be my main priority. But if I really sit back and reflect, all too often it seems that controlling them and dictating their every move is what I am doing. How do I let go of this when it is such a huge part of me? How can I afford not to? From this point on, I need to harness this need of mine and use it solely to concentrate on controlling myself. Choosing my words carefully, not acting impulsively, making my moments count because as we all know, the only person you truly have any type of control over at all is yourself. I need to be an example for them that self-control is the only type of control that is worthwhile and productive. Anything beyond that is indulgent, selfish and unrealistic.

Control. Who has it? Who wants it? It really doesn't matter because like it or not~it belongs to none of us. Imposing our will on others does no good for anyone. I believe many people equate control with power which is what makes it so desirable. However, that is just not the case. Nitpicking, nagging and orchestrating others to act as you wish them to act is definitely controlling but not at all powerful. Being in control of yourself and realizing how your words and actions can and do affect others is what is truly powerful. Helping, support, offering kind words of love and advice is really all we can give and then hope for the best. Beyond that, it's out of my control and that's fine with me.

"Circumstances are beyond human control, but our conduct is in our own power."~Benjamin Disraeli

Summer fun...

With all careers, there comes a busy season and for a professional fun seeker, there is no exception. We have definitely hit our busy season and because of that, the space allotted to me on the world wide web is not sufficient to properly narrate the copious amounts of lavishly extraordinary times we have been having and so many, many pictures

with just a few captions thrown in will have to suffice.

Ella and the Dollar Store grab bag she fell in love at first sight with... She was completely thrilled with the contents and is forever enamored with grab bags...
Swimming... Isn't summer awesome????

Yay for Ella's birthday and a brand new treasure chest...

And tiaras... And a scrumptious supper of fine Valentino's cuisine with the three most gorgeous young ladies around...

And then came our mini-vacay at Grandma and Papa's that started out with a bang (literally)...

On our way to see what downtown STJ has to offer...

And Lily is one step closer to making her dream of being a cowboy girl a reality...

I guess she preferred the pony ride...

Two of my favorite people celebrating their birthdays together...

Waiting patiently for the parade to begin and for the candy to start raining down...

And finally, fishing with Papa...

Such a great week. Such a great life.