Black Hills Trip 2012.

 Number 51 on the Summer Fun List was to take a trip to the Black Hills (which was easy to add to the list since I knew we were doing it anyways:)

We went again with my parents, sisters and their families.  Total it was 9 adults (one husband couldn't make it) and 10 kids ages 6 and under!

Here are a few highlights from the trip:

Bear Country!

 If you haven't been, Bear Country involves riding in your car through an area with bears, elk, mountain goats, etc.  Overall the kids enjoyed it, though Addie got mad at me once for breaking the rules and rolling down my window.

There is also a zoo like area at the end with baby bears and other forest animals.  This was nice because then we could walk around some.

 Evie did a good job of sleeping most of the time while we were in the car watching bears.  I did have to feed her once she woke up, so I can say now that I've fed a baby in a moving car!  (in case you're worried we were moving at a slow crawl in a line of other cars inside the park).

 Another memory of Bear Country:  changing a poop explosion in the van.  Oh the joys of traveling with babies!

 Though the whole group went to Bear Country, each family split up the next day and chose what they wanted to do.  Since it seems like the "thing to do" in the Black Hills and Nathan is somewhat interested in presidents, we went to Mt. Rushmore.

We had a really good time (though it may not seem this way from the first photo).

 For Sunday brunch we ate at a restaurant in Lead that used to be a roundhouse for trains.  The kids thought it was neat-though it was definitely more of a "practice your manners" place than a "let's play" place.

 And of course we had lots of fun just hanging out at the cabin we rented.  Here is a view from the loft looking at the main floor.  

Papa grilling steaks.  Looks like there's a little flamage.

Silly Time!

There was so much talk about smores, but never enough time before the kids' bed time to actually make them.  So, on the last night we decided to roast marshmallows on the grill and save ourselves the time of making a fire (in the indoor fireplace...outdoor fires were prohibited because of the dry weather).

The kids didn't mind, and it worked!

Addie may have chosen and extra-large mallow!

And of course you gotta work out!  Matt thought he would be cool and sneak a pic:)

It was another busy, crazy, fun weekend in the Black Hills. 

Here's what the gang looks like this year!

&

The Thompson crew with Nana and Papa. 

(Addie was being a stinker, but I know I have pictures of myself as a kid doing the same thing!)

Finally, it's not a road trip to the Black Hills without a stop at Wall Drug.  We ate lunch there on the way back and of course picked up some doughnuts.  There's a great backyard area for the kids to play before they get back in the car again!