Didn't We Just Do This??! Life, Slow Down!

Wagons West- Day 6

Before our long trip home, we were able to spend the day with our amazing Wyoming friends.  We always leave feeling encouraged after visiting with them.  So thankful for their friendship!

Right when we pulled in, Melinda told us that a cow was about to give birth and that it needed some help.  We watched as Lucas helped to deliver a calf!  Welcome to life on the ranch!

The girls got a kick out of this noisy new goat!  The girls all picked right back up from our visit a couple of years ago and played so well together. 

The kids of course loved riding some amazing horses!

Jon had such a fun time going prairie dog hunting! Scott was torn between going shooting during the afternoon or riding horses, but the horses won out. 

Our special time with them was a sweet way to end our trip.  After that, we had a couple long days of driving to return home.  I am lobbying for giving our children the wonderful experience of flying next time!  :)  It was a long way home!  All in all though, we're grateful for a safe trip and for a fun time together. 

Wagons West- Day 5

Another day in the Bighorns with some cool wildlife spottings.  We were pretty close to moose! 

Some areas were still very snow-covered for being late June. 

So long, Bighorns!  The moose were cool, but we would have stayed longer if you would have had kittens. 

Wagons West- Day 4

 We did some more hiking in the morning and saw this porcupine! 

 In the afternoon, we worked hard to make it to the top of Steamboat Point.

Above, Scott was being goofy before we started the climb. (And would be mortified if he knew I was putting this picture on here...sorry, Scott!  You will appreciate this someday!:)

And finally, the shot that made it worth the climb...see us up there??!  EEK!

Wagons West- Day 3

After a fun time of swimming the night before, it was off to the trails for Day 3. 

We hiked to an alpine lake in the Cloud Peak Wilderness inside the Bighorn National Forest.  I'll let the shirts speak for themselves. 

My hubby loves him some hikin'!

And I love me some pictures!  Smile girls and act like we haven't been complaining for the last few miles! The beautiful view was worth the pain- or so we're told!;)

Wagons West- Day 2

Laura Ingalls Wilder Day....

As you may recall, Natalie did a big report on Laura Ingalls this year, so it was fun to return to her homestead in DeSmet, South Dakota to help solidify some of the things she learned. 

The kids experienced many fun, hands-on activities. They got to hang out with horses...

Drive a horse drawn carriage to a school house...

 Make jump ropes...

 Grind wheat...

Try laundering the old way...

 Attempt to play a pump organ...

 And do much exploring around the property!

 However, the BEST part...and the part the kids kept RUNNING back to was the...

 KITTENS!

Jon's not as much of a cuddle-with-kitties kind of guy, so he explored the homestead more while we played.  Surely there are kittens in heaven.  I love them!

What a purr-fect day!:)