South Dakota!

We headed to Rapid City and Spearfish over Memorial Day weekend.  Apparently millions of raindrops had the same idea because it rained almost the entire time we were there.  We took advantage of a break in the weather to take the girls to Story Book Island in Rapid.  My niece Elyse joined us. 

Elyse, Josie, Bailey & Miles crossing over the entrance.

This was one of the only times the girls were all together.  The "big" girls got to head off on their own and we only saw them for the occasional check in. 

Josie's impression of a pig.

She was so excited to see Piglet and kept hugging him.

Hugs for Winnie the Pooh too.

Cinderella!

Giddy-up!

And even more hugs for Snow White.

I adore this picture of Josie looking out of the train window. 

We passed Dad and the big girls while we were on the train. 

She wishes she was a mermaid like Ariel.

Despite the chilly weather we had a great time. 

All pooped out.

 After spending a night with our friends in Rapid City we headed to Spearfish to stay with Uncle Traig.  It continued to rain and rain and rain.  In the evening we had an hour or so when it let up, so we decided to get out of the house for a walk.  Spearfish is such a beautiful city!

I should have zoomed in on this picture before I posted it, but Josie was so cute holding Uncle Traig's hand. 

Aunt Laura was nice enough to carry Josie part of the way.

The girls spent part of the trip home holding hands.  They are so sweet when they aren't fighting. 

Pictures from Grandma Lynn

My mom came to visit a few weeks ago, and I wasn't great about taking pictures.  I posted a few that I had, but I got more from my mom and want to share those as well.

Playing with modeling clay from Grandma.

Bailey is so creative!

A few of the finished products.

Grandma went to school with Bailey and they had a special Cowboy Breakfast.

Reading stations at school.

We went to BuyMT for ice-cream and some silliness.

Playing at the park during Bucking Horse Sale.

The girls enjoyed reading to Grandma each night.

A Broken Arm Mixed With Springtime Fun!

Bailey broke her arm.  That is the bad news.  She ran into her coach at soccer practice and down she went.  The first few days were rough, but she is used to her cast and doing fine now.  The hardest part is missing out on things like P.E. at school and trampolines at her friend's house.  Other than that we are having a decent spring.  Here are a few highlights:

Josie thinks she needs to throw her hands up in the air when she says "cheese."

Sipping on a little sand coffee.

"Please, please, no more pictures!"

Bailey LOVES soccer!

Josie LOVES cheering for Bailey at soccer. 

Miles and a few friends put on a big antelope feed.  Here they are after pulling the meat out of the pit.

Bailey and her friends did some serious digging and playing at the party.

Josie even got in on the action.

Uncle Shane came to visit for the weekend!  The girls loved seeing him.

After two days with a temporary splint we met with the doctor in Billings and got a "real" cast.  She chose green because it is an NDSU color and Daddy's favorite color. 

Our friend at the Hatchery invited us to come check out what they are working on right now.  All of the walleye eggs were hatching into fry and Bailey and her friend Jacie got to see the process.

These tubes hold the eggs until they hatch.  Then the babies swim up and out of the tubes and into a holding tank. Most of them get released into Fort Peck Lake.

The girls got to see eggs and fry under a big microscope.

You could see their tiny hearts beating.

The hatchery has a large Pallid Sturgeon which are endangered. Very cool.

It is hard to see the sturgeon in this picture, but it is a crazy looking fish.

Jacie and Bailey got to feed a bunch of the feeder trout in the raceways.

Doing yardwork with Dad. In a white, lacy dress.  It will never be the same.

Planting the garden.  Again in the dress. 

Josie is finally eating a little better, and she has gained some weight.  Her cheeks almost look chubby!

The Bucking Horse Sale parade is always a great time. The rain held off for most of the day's festivities.

Parade Candy!!

Tyler and Bailey are watching in case candy comes their way.

I love this picture of Josie even though it is through the side of a bouncy house.

Bailey and Clea enjoyed the free snow cones.

Grandma Lynn was here for Bucking Horse Sale weekend, and of course she brought some crafts for Bailey. It was a great weekend!