South Dakota

Well we never got the laptop fixed and instead had to get a whole new computer. Apparently the motherboard went out and that was going to cost a pretty penny to fix so we just got a new one instead. But it is working great so no complaints here!

So we made it to Mount Rushmore on Thursday I believe. It was one of the warmest days that we were there, but by the time Josh got done working for the day and we got up there it wasn't warm anymore. If you didn't notice Ethan is crying in this picture. He did not want to sit up on the ledge. He has a HUGE fear of heights. When he was about three his uncle Devin was playing with him and threw him high into the air. So high that it totally freaked him out and for a while he would get scared when I picked him up. Anyways, the ledge we set him on was a good two feet wide and on the other side was another level about 7-8 feet down is all, but that didn't matter apparently. I think that pure exhaustion played a role in his meltdown because he was being just a tad ridiculous about the whole thing.When we were parking the car and getting out Josh realized that he hadn't brought his coat with him. He normally never wears a coat but definitely regretted it. It got cold up there.This was just a few minutes after the ledge incident and see how happy he is? Oh and yes, Ethan lost his first tooth. It took Ethan forever to get his teeth. I remember being at his one year check up and asking the doctor if something was wrong because he didn't have any teeth. The doctor told me that all kids get their teeth at different times. Well it also took him forever to loose his first tooth. He was 7 and a half when he finally lost it and since then he has lost one more. He was super excited to finally have lost his first tooth, too bad he swallowed it.Josh took us to this place called Culvers that serves frozen custard. I was really skeptical but it was YUMMY!Here we are all dressed up for dinner, (I think.) This is what happens when I wait forever to blog, I forget! But I love this picture because it shows both of my curly haired kiddos.The waterpark! Oh man, we spent so much time here. When we left my legs and stomach were all red and burned. I think it was from spending HOURS everyday in the water. The kids loved it though and there was plenty of fun places to play. Preston called the lazy river the "bumpy ride" because at one part they have jets on the floor that shoot up so it makes it kind of like rapids. This is Kendra lying on the ground as the huge bucket droped water all over this kids play area. Kendra was the only one that would willingly wait for the water to drop. Ethan did it sometimes, but only if Kendra was with him

Preston LOVED the "Bumpy Ride"
Aubrey and I did a lot of just hanging out the first couple of days until she got a little more used to the water and all the noise.
Josh made Preston stand under the bucket once. He giggled and laughed but wasn't willing to do it again.

This slide was the family favorite! In the middle of the slide it opened up into this big bowl and you would go around and around until you got to the middle and would drop down to the rest of the slide. I tried to get some good pictures but they go so fast! Kendra is the one waving.

Preston loved the big slides but could only go on them when Josh as around because someone had to stay with Aubrey (she didn't like the big slides) So as soon as Josh got of work and came down to the waterpark Preston would drag him up the stairs over and over again. He loves the water. He is going to grow up to be a beach bum and just surf all day long with his crazy blond hair. I can already see it.