South Dakota 2017

After years of saying we needed to meet Brandon's family in South Dakota, we finally did it!

When the boys and I went to North Dakota in June for Brandon's cousin's wedding, Aunt Paulette and I started talking more and more about making the trip happen (and how Brandon was even saving vacation time so we could go!), so after getting home, Paulette started looking at Black Hills cabins and found the PERFECT one!

Fast forward 3 months and we were on the road to Rapid City!

Mal and Evie walking around the roads near the cabin

Jackson wasn't excited at all about being in South Dakota!

First night at the cabin!

We ate like KINGS the entire trip -- each family/group took turns cooking breakfast and dinner, and on the first night the Petersons/Dekkers grilled steaks. 

This was a tough day... after MONTHS of our little history buff (Jax) reading/talking/watching documentaries about Mount Rushmore, he ended up getting a 24 hour bug and was a mess the entire day :( He didn't feel like doing much of anything, cried a lot, and just wasn't himself. 

Not even the bust of Gutzon Borglum could get him excited.

After about an hour, I took Jax to take a nap in the car. I got him bundled up really well and he fell asleep right away.

Gabe with his wonderful Great Great Aunt Paulette and Cousin Evie

Daddy and Gabe checking out Mount Rushmore while Jax and I stayed in the car.

Spongebob popsicles from Great Grandma Bonnie

After Mount Rushmore, we took a trip on the old 1880 Train...

...and poor sick Jackson literally cried and panicked the entire trip, especially when our window was open. 

Gabe did great, too! *eye roll*

All-you-can-eat crab legs in Deadwood... yum!

Feeling MUCH better in Deadwood (the second day of the trip)! 

Walking around the casino while the dads gambled

Photo by Jax

Everyone took it easy on Day 3, so we made the trip back to Mount Rushmore... Jackson enjoyed it SO much more when he wasn't sick! 

Last night :(

Cousins Paulette and Sandy

Birthday boys and their birthday kuchen

Craft night!