Vaction: The Badlands...

... the start to a terrific vacation!

This year's vacation was one we were all excited about!  Julianne had been asking to go to the Black Hills for well over a year and we really wanted to take her (and the other kids too).  This trip turned out to be far more fun and full of firsts, excitement, laughter, and lots of playing!

Our trip started on a Saturday morning, however, the packing began on the prior Monday, and the list making began weeks before that.  For those of you who don't know, I LOVE LISTS!  They help keep me organized, they help me from forgetting items for trips, and well they help me feel like I've accomplished something when I can cross an item off the list.  Trying to pack for 4 people is easy and challenging at the same time.  The challenge I find is when I am packing all of us at once (without lists) and going from room to room I sometimes can't remember who I packed what for and I double up on one kid and forget for another.  Anyways, this is off the subject and another post sometime down the road.

The cars (my Suburban and my Dad's truck) were mostly loaded on Friday night to give us a head start on Saturday morning.  Grammy and Papa offered to take a grandkid or two with them and after a little thinking we decided to send William with them so he could enjoy some extra time with his cousins, Mason and Murphy, before the rest of us.  At least that was the plan....then plane troubles cut that time short.

Anyways, on Saturday morning we finished loading up the vehicles and Grammy, Papa and William took off.  Brian, the girls, myself and Grandma Kay (she spent the night after surgery on Friday - she is recovering and doing better each day) finished packing up and hit the road about an hour later.  On our way out to the Hills we stopped in Mitchell to drop off Grandma Kay and got her settled in before continuing on our journey.

 Stopping at the Lookout near Chamberlain.

Pictures like the one below always melt my heart!

We stopped in Kadoka so Brian could get Gizzards.

The Badlands....

 Katelyn and me....self portrait

 Sisterly love...or maybe not!  

 I took a lot of pictures during our drive and our "hiking" and picked a few of my favorites.

 Julianne and me....yep, another self-portrait.

It wouldn't be complete without a self-portrait of Brian and I.

 Brian and his girls!

 We didn't get a picture when we entered the Badlands,

so we stopped on our way out and took a few pictures at the sign.

I am sure William would have loved seeing the Badlands or better yet running all over, but I am POSITIVE I would have been a nervous wreck with him enjoying it all.  We will do the drive again when he is a bit older.  We all had a blast and decided we could have spend way more time there then we did, but alas we had to move on because we had others waiting for us and bigger plans for the week.  So, we piled back in the car and continued the drive to the cabin.

Julianne's 9th birthday Party

A party full of fun and games....

Three-legged race

 Sponge-ball toss (This was the most popular game)

Even Brian got in on the action!

 Picture time...

Another favorite of the girls was picture frames pictures with "dress-up" sticks.

The girls had about 25 items to choose from and two different frames.

 And then there is Emma, who just wanted to pose...

When the family party begun the kites came out.  I don't know if they'd admit it, but I think the dads had more fun flying kites.  

 Ty having fun playing!

Julianne opening a few gifts.

Grandma Kay had fun with the whipped topping!

 Happy birthday with banana splits!

Cousins: Katelyn, Ty, Julianne, William, Ella

 The end of the day and we still have smiles...it was a great one!

Happy 9th birthday to my first-born!  Nine years of fun, laughter, tears and learning.  I am excited for the next nine years and what it will bring.  I love you from the bottom of my heart!  ~Mom

Happy 9th Birthday Julianne!

Happy 9th birthday Julianne!  Yes, that says 9th!  It is hard to believe that it has been 9 years since Julianne was welcomed into our arms and the doctor said, "It's a girl".  My how she has changed our lives - she brings us lots of smiles and laughs, she entertains us with song and dance, some days she makes me want to pull my hair out and she challenges me like crazy.  Through all of that I would not trade her for anything or anyone!

As we I started to prepare for Julianne's 9th birthday party, I had lots of thoughts on what I wanted to include and what I thought her friends and the family would enjoy doing at her party.  As I came up with ideas and asked Julianne about them (usually getting a go-ahead that will be fun and sometimes an eye roll) I was having lots of fun.

After planning activities, I began creating the invites for the party. As I started on the invites Julianne came to me and said she had an idea.  She informed me instead of getting presents for herself she wanted to collect items for others.  Yes, my heart melted and I felt affirmed in my parenting.  So, as we talked about what she could do, we talked about the idea of collecting and donating items to those who could use them.  Our conversation turned to the Mission Trip that members of our church would be taking to Rosebud Reservation in June.  Julianne wanted to collect craft items and flip flops for the mission trip members to take with.  I told her I would find out if that was a need.  After a few emails I found out the flip flops would be appreciated, along with cleaning supplies.  Unfortunately, craft items would probably go unused.  Julianne agreed to flip flops and cleaning supplies - she truly was happy to help others!

The birthday party invites went out to friends and family.  The RSVPs came in.  Then, the big day arrived, Julianne's 9th birthday and her party!  Julianne's friends arrived and brought with them bags of flip flops and cleaning supplies.  Then awhile later family arrived and so did more flip flops!  I could not believe my eyes - there were so many flip flops and cleaning supplies.  Plus some individuals donated money and Julianne got to go shopping for more items.  Her and I had a blast shopping for more flip flops and cleaning supplies.  I thought it was more fun than shopping for toys and I think she did too, as she had a twinkle in her eye that I hadn't seen before.

In the end, Julianne collected 76 pairs of flip flops, 6 bags of cleaning supplies, 6 laundry baskets, and some paper products.  Today, Julianne had the opportunity to share what she collected with the Missions team at church.  I was so proud of her and yes, it brought tears to my eyes as she talked about how good it made her feel collecting all these items for others.  The mission team was thankful and as a church we took the opportunity to pray over the items and the blessings they will provide to so many others.

Julianne's 9th birthday was a blessing, full of fun, smiles, laughter, memories, and dreaming.  She has such a big heart now, I can't wait to continue to fill it with joy, love, and Christ.  Julianne has so much to give and so many waves to make - and so, the adventure will continue!