Bomgaars Visit Black Hills (day 2 & 3)

Tuesday morning (and most mornings) looked like this, hanging out and taking our time with things.  The rest of the days were planned with activities so the mornings were about the only down time we had.  Greta and her Aunt Ang are buddies, have I mentioned that before?  

It was a rainy morning so we hung out at the house, enjoying the lovely space.  Soon after lunch we headed to Evan's Plunge, a natural mineral springs where we played volleyball, went on the water slides and sat in the hot tub.

After swimming we toured Wind Cave.  This was Hudson and Greta's first time inside of a cave.  Greta did awesome and walked the whole way.  We were 200 feet below the surface at one point.      

This cave didn't have any stalagmites or stalactites, but they did have lots of this stuff, which they called box work.  

Each of us planned activities for a different day of the trip.  Tuesday was our day.  Roy did all the research, because he is good at that, and I just went along with it.   

What a blessing to spend time exploring and making memories together as a family.  

Tuesday was also our day to plan the meals.  We made pancakes and sausage for breakfast and we grilled burgers and had watermelon and sweet corn for dinner.  

Wednesday's activity was Mount Rushmore.  We were driving along all the winding roads when we spotted this first sighting of the Memorial straight ahead through a clearing in the trees.  How cool! 

Greta attempting to get a close up view of the presidents.  

We enjoyed a picnic on sight.  Greta was most excited about the Cheetos, of course!  

Hudson likes to do adult things, therefore taking some pictures with our camera.  

Eager and excited to get a closer look of Mount Rushmore.


Walking through the Avenue of Flags, where they display one flag for each of the 50 states.

 George Washington - 1st President, founder of our country
Thomas Jefferson - 3rd President, expanded our country (with the Louisiana Purchase), author of the Declaration of Independence
Theodore Roosevelt - 26th president, took our country into the 20th century, established National Parks, responsible for the creation of the Panama Canal
Abraham Lincoln - 16th President, responsible for the ending of slavery in our country

Gutzon Borglum, a master sculpture, conceived and carved Mount Rushmore Memorial. He was assisted by over 400 other rock carvers and explosive experts.  It took 14 years to complete the Memorial.  No one died in the process of sculpting and carving, which is worth noting.  

A family pic in front of the famous Mount Rushmore Memorial.  

We went on the hike offered by the park ranger to learn more and get a closer view.  Hudson and I learned some American History in homeschool this past year, specifically we studied Abraham Lincoln and George Washington, so this made the visit to Mount Rushmore even more meaningful.  

Wednesday night we enjoyed dinner at the Alpine Inn in Hill City.  This place only has one item on their dinner menu (in addition to a kids menu), a medium or large filet mignon.  We all decided the food was good, but we would prefer to grill our own steaks.      

Bomgaars Visit Black Hills (day 1)

Every year my family, us along with my siblings and my parents, go on a vacation together.  Mom usually picks the location early in the year, gets our input, and then finds us a VRBO house for us to stay in.  This years Bomgaars trip location was the Black Hills of South Dakota.  Roy and I both went to the Black Hills in elementary school so it was a good opportunity to go back and experience it with our children.  

On Sunday afternoon, August 12th, we packed our van and drove to my parents for the first leg of our trip.  Mimi got Greta a "new bed" and she was nothing but smiles to have her own special space to sleep with pink and owls.    

Monday morning we hit the road for South Dakota.  Roy was our fearless driver and took us everywhere.  So thankful for him.  

We stopped at Culver's for lunch, yum yum.  

Several hours later we reached our first destination...

Roy and his fascination with maps, a skill and an interest I do not have.  

 My sister (Aunt Ang) drove her own car and met us at the Visitor Center in the Park.  

So many breathtaking views...

 Bapa Rog doesn't really like places like this (heights are not his thing) so he preferred to keep Greta close and hold her hand.  

Roy is adventurous 

and so is my sister 

and Hudson is too.  

So thankful for time with my favorite peeps.  

God's beauty on display.  

Triplets (matching colored shirts) at Badlands National Park.  

I was here as a kid, but it so fun to go back and see it with adult eyes.  

A great picture and memory captured by Roy.  

Hudson completed his Junior Ranger packet to earn his third Junior Ranger badge and stamp.  

Hudson is at a fantastic age for adventures like this and he really soaks it all in.  

My dad prefers to be on the farm, but every August he takes a week off for the family trip.  We are thankful for his sacrifice and commitment.    

11 years and 2 days as husband and wife.  

Checking out the Fossil Trail.  They said a new fossil is discovered almost every day somewhere in the Park.  

Time with Aunt Ang is always a blessing.  Now only if we could get her to move to Iowa so we could see her more often.     

One of our last views before leaving the Park.  

Our next stop, before reaching our log cabin in Custer State Park for a good nights rest, was Wall Drug.  Isn't ice water free everywhere?!  So silly!    

I think you could safely call this place a Tourist Trap.  

11 Years on August 11

Roy and I celebrated our 11 year anniversary on August 11.  I am beyond thankful for the gift of this man and the countless ways he blesses me and our kids.  Honestly, he is our favorite person and everything is "better" when Daddy is around.  This past year was probably our hardest year of marriage, because of difficult journey with my health, yet I trust its making us stronger and God is using it for good.  I love you Roy Thomas, today and always.  You will forever be the one whom my heart adores.     

We went out for dinner one week early (August 4th) at Centro downtown Des Moines.  Roy loved his big bowl of pasta and I decided I prefer my carbs along with a healthy dose of veggies.  

Saturday morning the 11th we joined family for the Sweet Corn Festival Parade (pictured earlier).  Then we met our dear friends the Steenhoeks for an afternoon double date.  We got a private tour of the Meredith Gardens (but weren't allowed to take many pictures).  It was great fun to look around, enjoy the beautiful space, learn about the plants and make new discoveries.   

Then we grabbed lunch together at St. Kilda.  So thankful for time to laugh, cry, catch up and reflect together.  They were both a special part of our wedding day (Geselle was a bridesmaid and Brian married us) so it felt fitting to celebrate with them.  So thankful for these sweet friends.  

Then we enjoyed a cupcake at Molly's Cupcakes in the East Village.  

Roy came home with my annual gift, a dozen red roses.  I tell him every year to just save the money and not buy the roses, but he insists.  I love that about him.   

Iowa State Fair 2018

Our annual day at the Iowa State Fair happened on Friday, August 10th.  Its a day full of traditions, good food, lots of walking and experiencing the sights and sounds of Iowa.  

We arrived at the fair around 9:00am and by 9:30 we enjoyed our first treat, a Fair Square.  

Since they have Rice Krispies in them this treat counts as breakfast, right?!  

One of our favorite stops every year is Little Hands On The Farm.  

We are so thankful for family days and having time with Daddy is always our favorite.  

Collecting her veggies and adding them to her basket.  

Driving the little John Deere on the farm.  

Learning how to milk a cow.  Several days later Greta asked me, "Mommy, did I milk a real cow?"  

At the end of Little Hands on the Farm they get a dollar for their hard work.  They spend their dollar in the General Store for a treat of their choice.  Greta picked a Bomb Pop and Hudson got a "special drink."    

Checking out the HUGE pumpkins.  This one was the 1st place winner, weighing in at 795 pounds.  

We got our egg on a stick in the Agriculture Building.  

Checking out the flowers and the ribbons awarded.  

We always take a spin through the Discovery Gardens, its just bursting with beauty and color.  

And the kids race through the tunnel.  

This girl looks so grown up in this picture, I can hardly handle it.  

We ALWAYS eat lunch at the Pork Tent and its ALWAYS delicious.  As you can tell Greta was quite fond of her pork sandwich.  This is my favorite picture of the day.  I can hardly look at it without cracking a smile.  We ditched the bun and she just ate the meat.   

This was Roy's highlight of the day.  Seeing Senator Grassley and taking a picture with him.  

Farmer Hudson 

Farmer Greta 

While strolling around the 4-H building, which if my favorite place to look around and Hudson likes to make the treasures at the working exhibits, Greta girl took a snooze for a long hour.  

Hudson's only request for the day (in addition to buying a strawberry milk shake) was to look at the John Deere farm equipment.  I love this kid.  

A selfie with my favorite girl at the ISU booth in the Varied Industries Building.  

We also...saw the biggest bull, walked through the horse barn, watched Mounted Shooting (a horse and rider competition), looked at the miniature doll houses and photographs, each got our own milk shake and met a sweet family and chatted while we ate them, sat and took in a few moments of the Dairy Show, took a spin through the Animal Learning Center, saw the famous Butter Cow...along with whatever else I may be forgetting.  We went home tired but thankful for a blessed day together at the Iowa State Fair.