The route from Lusk to the interstate was a wonderful morning of high sagebrush plains dotted with rocky relief. The girls were picking out Antelope as we drove by (Annie can spot an antelope leg hidden in sagebrush a mile away) and mom and dad were enjoying the open road (Mike made VERY good time through this stretch). As we were driving we noticed some “Mormon” roadside signs, Mike decided to pull off at one and we discovered it was the Martins Cove Church Historical Site. We spent about an hour (we did have to get going) there going through the visitors center and pulling handcarts. We even looked at the names list on the wall of the Martin, Willie, and rescue companies. It was a very interesting stop and great to get the kids learning some Mormon pioneer history. The couples missionaries at the site were very kind and patient with the girls and as always the church does a great job with keeping the center interesting, clean, and up to date. We are glad we decided to make the stop.

Violet led the pack.

These little girls have no idea what it must have really been like (neither do I) while dressed in their modern, cotton shorts and t-shirts.

Next up: the Utah leg of our trip.

For our big vacation this summer we traveled to Watertown, South Dakota for almost a week and then to Utah for another week. Watertown, SD is the town in which Mike wants to set up practice after he’s done with the Navy. He thought this summer would be a good opportunity to start fact-finding and getting to know the town we will one day call home. Our friends, the Arnolds, already live there and so graciously opened their home to us. They have the cutest boathouse, and it made great accommodations for us.

The boathouse.

While there Ryan and Shannon organized an event through the local dental association for Mike to meet up with some of the other dentists in town. It was a great chance to get to know some of the dentists and their families. We are ever so grateful for that opportunity. That night was also our first night away from Violet. I was so worried that she would insist in nursing and give the babysitter a rough time, but she actually did great and went to bed with no issues.

The other days in SD were spent fishing, swimming, throwing sticks in the water so that Bowser the Labrador would jump off the dock to fetch them, boating, and tubing (the Arnolds have their own dock and boat). Mike had to bribe (or force) the girls to jump off the dock into the water. Once they did it though they loved it. Ryan acquired a golf cart through clever means, and we got a little ride on it which the kids thoroughly enjoyed.

It was a wonderful time. We can’t thank the Arnolds enough for their generosity and the time they put into organizing the meet-and-greet for us. Thanks so much! We headed even further west on Sunday and made to Lusk, Wyoming that evening early enough for dinner and swimming in town. The next morning we made our final trek to Utah. Stay tuned tomorrow for the rest of our trip:)

Oh, how I’ve missed blogging. But, oh, how busy we have been this summer. I suppose you could say I was on a “blogcation” using my friend Erin’s term. Having all three kids home all day long adds a whole new dynamic to my world. How about a list of what we’ve been up to these past few weeks since summer began.

1. Another trip to the Milwaukee Zoo with our (now almost Japanese) friends the Gearys. We sure will miss them but wish them the best in Japan for the next 3 years.

2. The Kenosha County Dairy Breakfast with the Johnsons. So stinky but quite yummy and fun! See below for some random pictures from the event, sorry for the overload. Yes, they used dust pans to dish up the scrambled eggs (I really hope they were only used for that purpose). Notice how the girls always have scrunched up noses…LOL.

3. A trip to the Jelly Belly Factory with the Johnsons. Cruddy pics from the phone.

4.Fishing with the Gearys and Johnsons.

5. Hanging out at the park. I know you’ll be soooo disappointed, but no pics.

6. Hanging out at the beach. Again, more utter disappointment for no pics (you know tongue is firmly in cheek here).

7. Not doing any sewing or crafty projects. Sigh.

8. Not keeping the house tidy and clean because little girls are constantly making messes every time I turn my back.

9. Trying to keep up with an ever mobile baby (who’s almost not a baby anymore) and watching her little teeth grow in, too.

10. And lastly and most recently and still recovering from our trip to South Dakota and Utah. Just a quick rundown of what we did, but do expect a separate post soon (tomorrow hopefully): fishing, boating, golf cart riding, handcart adventures at Martin’s Cove, alpine sliding, hiking, encounter with rattle snake, ranger riding through the mountains, more fishing, touring Temple Square in downtown SLC, dealing with a sick Annie, dealing with a sleepless and teething baby, and more.