family day out

The last weekend that Dan was home we had semi planned a trip up to South Dakota. But as the weekend approached we realized there was just still too much stuff to finish before he left again for 4 weeks. It was one of those 'spur of the moment' kinda deals. We just got in the car and drove. We ended up in Scottsbluff, which is just about 50 minutes. The drive is really pretty! A lot of farms, trees, cattle, horses and some of the oldest, coolest barns I've ever seen. Can't wait to get the kids & the camera out there to do a shoot!! We of course dragged Brandon along as our tour guide, but he is really camera shy (as you can see...little stinker). Brandon was quite the guide...everything was 'really boring' in his opinion. I suppose if you've lived here all your life one might think that, but to us new city folk, there is so so much to see!

Our first stop. It was here or Sonic and I got out voted. A familiar place from home!

And of course, the highlight of the trip (at least to me)...a vision of beauty. YES THE CORN!! Oh ok, you got me, is that really TARGET we see??? Ah yes! I felt as though I was in a dream and I asked Dan to pinch me :)

For my sweet friend Sharla. The blue skies here are amazing! This is a normal day. No smog.

Corn. And more corn. You know, most of the corn here is grown for feed.

Lake Minatare. A beautiful sight to see. I had no idea there could be such large lakes here (and to ski on). It will make for a fun summer day swim!

Look at this old lighthouse we found. We all went in and up (super narrow stairway)...and the vision of the lake was amazing!

Krystina and her beau hunk Brandon.

Danny & Kyle. They were really enjoying themselves skipping rocks on the lake. I could see fishing poles and large fish brewing in their eyes!

I was sitting there envisioning a lazy Sunday afternoon picnic, watching the kids play in the water, me and Dan laying on a picnic blanket staring at the blue sky.

My kiddos. Not the best lighting and I'm still working with my cruddy lens..but it's still cute.

My sweet family...although I could read Dan, as he stood there wondering how long it would be before he'd be able to come back with all of us. Miss you babe!

Such cuteness! Poor Brandon had played a super hard football game the night before and it was also Homecoming so he was so tired. This is priceless!

We had such a great family day together. I don't think teenagers enjoy it quite as much as when they were younger and everything was so new and fascinating. We have to remind ourselves this when we do 'spur of the moment' activities. And trust me, they will tell you that it isn't as much fun. But me, hey, I'm soaking all of this in! Every moment, every blue sky, every crop of corn, every John Deere going through town, every cowboy at church, driving slow, listening to Rascal Flatts & Tim McGraw, and breathing fresh clean air. I ask a lot of questions to those who work on the Church Ranches, or own their farms...lots and lots of questions! Hopefully soon I will have some COW photos :)