Fall Break 2022: Day 5 & 6 - Martin's Cove and Home

We started our drive towards home on Saturday morning.  We stopped at Martin's Cove and learned more about the pioneers who had to camp there on their way to Utah.  We had some family that came through there, so that made it extra cool to see the site and watch the film about the pioneers.  

We then started back on our way towards home.  We stopped and ate lunch at a really good local diner.  It was a super cute place with yummy food.  We then drove to our last hotel for the trip.  This hotel had freshly made cookies when we checked in.  After we got all checked in, we then got on our swimsuits and went swimming.  We had the whole pool to ourselves.  It was a small pool, but perfect for our family.  The water was a little cold in the pool, so Tony and I spent our time in the hot tub.  After a while Tony went back to the room to get showered and then he picked up some pizza.  I stayed back with the kids until they were all done swimming.  We then all went back and got showered.  We then all ate dinner and relaxed in our room for the evening.  After a couple hours Tony and I went over to Walmart to pick up some ice cream for the crew.  Everyone had their fill of ice cream goodness and then we went to bed.  

The next day we then packed up the van and drove home.  We dropped off Margie and Lloyd at their house because they needed to get to their ward, then we went to our house.  We unloaded the van and then I went over to the Insta-Care because I had been struggling with an ear infection all week.  I was able to see a doctor and then he got me a prescription for my ear infection.  It was a different way to end a vacation, but I was glad I was home and able to get the meds I needed.  We all had a great time and really appreciate Lloyd and Margie taking us on this fun trip.

Fall Break 2022: Day 4 - The Badland National Park

Oh, the Badlands.  It was only about 10 minutes from Wall Drug.  It is National Park, so we got a map of the park and a hiking trail map. We had about an hour before their visitor's center closed, so we hoped to check it out before it closed.  We stopped at a couple different look out spots and a hiking spot before we hit the visitor's center.  We had 10 minutes to check out the visitors center and learn all we could.  We were able to get the booklets and badges for the girls to be Jr. Rangers from the Badlands too.  Allie wasn't super into it.  She thought it was too much work at Mt. Rushmore.  Luckily for her we didn't have enough time to actually learn stuff.  But we got some coins from the shop and then continued on to more hikes.  The kids really liked the hikes and exploring when we were allowed to go off trail.  

We then drove out of the park and headed back towards our hotel.  We stopped and had dinner in Rapid City at a yummy local restaurant.  After eating we then drove back to see Mt. Rushmore in the dark before going back to the hotel and we all went swimming.  The kids love pools.  We then all showered and went to bed for the night.  Such a good day!

Fall Break 2022: Day 4 - Wall Drug

After Mt. Rushmore we headed north towards The Badlands National Park.  We stopped at Wall Drug first for some lunch and to walk around all the stores.  This store started out as a little drug store and then advertised free ice water and their business grew.  Now they have added a restaurant and many different stores within the drug store, even a chapel.  So, it was pretty interesting to check it out and buy souvenirs. 

Fall Break 2022: Day 4 - Mt. Rushmore

We all got dressed and went to eat breakfast at the hotel lobby.  Then we all headed out to go to Mt. Rushmore.  It wasn't too far from out hotel, maybe 15-20 minutes.  It was a beautiful and windy day.  We went through the museum and hiked up to see the presidents closer.  The girls became Jr.  Rangers and learned lots about Mt. Rushmore.  

We came back to Mt. Rushmore later that night and saw the dudes all lite up.  Hardly anyone was there at night, we felt like we had the place to ourselves.  It was really cool to see it in the dark and lite up.  I would highly recommend going in the day and in the night.  Super cool stuff.

Fall Break 2022: Day 2 & 3 - Great Wolf Lodge

In the morning we ate breakfast at the hotel and then started off on our journey towards Colorado Springs and Great Wolf Lodge.  We found a nice rest stop called, "No Name Rest Stop".  I thought that was funny.  Colorado isn't very cleaver with their naming of places and streets.  

We then drove to the Great Wolf Lodge.  The kids heard us talking about maybe going here, but we never confirmed that we were actually going.  They asked us many questions about going there and we never confirmed or denied that we were going, so it was a surprise when we pulled up to the lodge.  The kids were all so excited and loved the surprise.

Our room wasn't ready yet, so we got our swim stuff and went to play in the water park.  We played for a couple hours before Tony, Margie, Lloyd, and Allie went to check us into our room and get our luggage out of the car.  I stayed back with Tyler, Josh, and Megan who were all having an amazing time in the water park.

After they got back, we had some dinner at the food place that they have right in the water park.  After eating we played for a while longer before Allie and I decided to go back to the room and get showered.  We were all in one large room, which was so cool, but only had one bathroom.  So, Allie and I showered before Lloyd and Margie came back to shower themselves.  Tony stayed back with the three older kids and closed down the park at 8:00 pm.  

After they all showered Tony wanted some ice cream.  So Tony, Margie and three of the kids went out to get ice cream.  They brought some back for Megan and me.  Then it was time for bed.

In the morning we all got up and got dressed to go get some breakfast.  We drove to IHOP and had a great breakfast.  Then we went back to the hotel and got all packed up and ready for another few hours of water park fun.  

Margie and Lloyd took the kids down to the water park to start playing while Tony and I checked us out and packed up the car.  When the van was packed, we went to the water park and played with the family for a few hours.  We then all took turns showering and getting ready for our next very long drive to South Dakoda.  

We had no problem driving like seven hours to our next hotel.  We got there when it was dark and there were lots of deer on the side of the road.  Luckily none of the deer were in the road.  We got checked into our hotel and unpacked into our rooms.  It was another big room that fit all of us.  We then all got ready for bed.  It was a good, long day.

Fall Break 2022: Day 1 - Drive to Grand Junction, CO

We started our trip off by taking Josh and the girls out of school early to get ready to leave.  Tyler got off of school first, so we let him finish his day before picking him up.  After we picked him up, we all piled into Margie's van and headed towards Colorado.  

We stopped at a fun park and walked around for a few minutes before getting back on the road.  The girls loved the huge slides, and they even had some bathrooms.  We then found a place to eat before it got dark.  It was a yummy Mexican restaurant.  They were slow, but the food was pretty good.  

After dinner we drove the rest of the way to our hotel outside of Grand Junction, Colorado.  It was after 8:00 so we all just unpacked and then went and got some ice cream.  The dining room of DQ was closed, but we were able to go through the drive thru and bring it back to our rooms.  We then all got a good night's rest in our rooms.

Megan's End of Season Tournament

Megan is now done with Fall Ball.  They had an end of season tournament where they dressed up as zombies.  The team ended up playing three games and played really well to get 2nd place.  She had a great time playing Fall Ball and is looking forward to playing Spring ball.

Allie's Tumbling

Allie has started a tumbling class at the Rec Center.  She has really liked it so far and looks forward to going every Saturday.  It is fun to see her improving in her tumbling skills and her feeling more confident in trying the harder tricks.

Conference Weekend at the Cabin

We decided to go up to the cabin Saturday and spend the night.  We went up after the first session of general conference and after Tyler got off of work.  We picked up my mom and then headed up to the cabin.  Oh my, it was such a beautiful drive up the canyon.  The colors were so bright and awesome. 

Averee came up and stayed the night from Snow College.  It was super fun spending time with her.  We went on lots of four-wheel rides and did lots of leaf picking.  The colors were so brilliant, and we loved seeking out the most amazing leaves.  

Papa G, Kevin's family, and Sherri's family joined us on Sunday.  We had a BBQ and grandma made a fire for S'mores.  The kids always love spending time with cousins, and we couldn't have asked for a better weekend up there at the cabin.  General Conference was wonderful and being with family is the best. God is so good to us!