Vacation by the Numbers

7242   feet high Harney Peak is. It’s the highest natural point in South Dakota. Scott & I hiked it one morning…only 3.3 miles one way!

2794   miles driven. From start to finish - Norman to Rapid City to Devil's Tower

70       temperature on Friday

13        highest total of deer seen in one day

10        not enough days for vacation

4          number of former presidents carved on Mount Rushmore & on hand for autographs

3         number of states (Nebraska, South Dakota & Wyoming), memorials, monuments, and forests visited with “National” in the title (Mount Rushmore National Memorial, Devil’s Tower National Monument, Black Hills National Forest)

2        number of Haribo gummy bear bags consumed – my favorite road food!

1          number of shoe soles that were hiked off!!! Yes I actually lost the sole of my boot on the way down...

Can't wait until our next adventure!

Quotes from the road...

We have been fortunate enough to travel the last few weeks. As we have spent so much time in the car we've had some interesting conversations with the 7 year old & 3 year old. Such as...

©      As we're driving up and down hills they kept asking if we were falling...we really need to visit hills more.

©      We just stopped for gas and the girl had some popcorn. Telling me she was wanting something different to eat her dad asks her if she will give him the popcorn…”just kidding, I’ll eat it”…hmm guess we need to work on sharing!

©      “I don’t want to eat something healthy – I’m full” as she eats apple slices. If anyone tells her those are healthy they’ll have to deal with me!

©      “BAM! He’s right there!” RTC’s comment after zooming his camera lens on President Washington at Mt. Rushmore.

I just love them.!!!

Beauty's Where You Find It

I can't help but hear these words when I look at these photos....

I mean - this is in Nebraska

These are in South Dakota...

My point is that beauty is where ever you choose to look for it!

Book suggestion

Since it's the 4th of July I thought I'd share this nugget of literature. This is a big book (928 pages, but the reading stops in the 600's) - I started it a while ago and every time I pick it up it just reaffirms what a remarkable man General Washington was. If you'd like to learn why this phenomenal man was the father of our country it's a pretty good read. You'll learn so much more than you ever did in school about him. The best thing is that this book uses his own writings.

What our founders did was extraordinary! As you celebrate the birth of this nation I hope you pause for a moment to be thankful.

Cub Scout Day Camp

7 years ago when a small, skinny, little bit of a boy was placed in my arms in the hospital I tried to think of all the cool stuff he'd get to experience and learn. Last week was one of those cool experiences for him and his dad. That's right it was his first ever Cub Scout Day Camp!

He swam,

played games,

made crafts,

learned how to shoot a bow & arrow,

(Bullseye!!!! 2 actually - what a way to build self confidence!!!)

shot off rockets,

5 - 4 - 3 - 2 - 1

B L A S T O F F!!

and learned how to shoot a BB gun.

They were grateful it wasn't nearly as hot as it was in 2011. What fun for both of the Copeland boys!!! They both are looking forward to next year!

Gardening



I know I've said it before but I truly mean that I'm so very fortunate with my job. I have an INCREDIBLE boss! I enjoy what I do. It allows me flexibility.

With my flexibility today I picked up the little girl and we came home to tend to our little flower garden. When I was young I grew up in the country 5 miles from our little town. You'd think that living across the street from wheat fields would give me some insight as to how to garden well. Or at least an inkling...alas gardening is evidently not learned through osmosis.  These flowers are about the only things still living. These and some Gerber daisies that have already bloomed. OK these, some Gerber daisies and weeds.

Today we pulled weeds and picked up leaves. Or I pulled weeds and picked up leaves. LNC went and got some icy water for herself after 2 minutes of playing with roly-polies.

Then she wanted to pose...

What would you have done? 

That's what I thought...I stopped and took pictures - the weeds and the leaves will be there another day.







Fathers

I am so blessed that this sweet man...

(photo taken by LNC)

is the dad to my kiddos.

Of course we both had/have good examples of a great dad...

Thanks to them both!