Wide Open Spaces

Well, the ole' Subaru has safely gotten us to Wyoming, where Rae's mom lives. WE've been hanging out and relaxing here since Monday evening. After a night in the tent at a beautiful state park in Minnesota, we headed to Burke, South Dakota to spend a night with Rae's aunt and uncle. Rae and the girls stayed home with Aunt Shirley, while I headed to the beach (Missouri River) with her uncle for a men's outing with his church. We had a wonderful visit with them.

Monday morning we headed west some more to Oelrich's South Dakota, where we enjoyed lunch with Rae's grandma and spent an afternoon visiting. After a nice dinner, we got in the car, once again, and headed to the ranch - Rae's mom's.

The girls did a great job on the drive. Alicyn enjoyed a couple videos, some beading work, coloring with her colored pencils, and watching for cows, horses, tractors, barns... all of which we saw a lot. Gracyn got a little more bored and would occassionally remind me of that with a loud shriek in my ear, but overall, she also did a great job.

Since arriving to the ranch, we've been relaxing and enjoying time with Grandma Alice and Grandpa Mike. Grandpa Mike filled up a big bucket with water and Grandma bought some water toys, so the girls have enjoyed spending quite a bit of time playing in the water. Alicyn has enjoyed a few rides on the 4-wheelers, 'looking for cows'. Tomorrow, about 20 family members are heading up to the ranch for a picnic. Rae and her mom have been busily making a menu and getting set for the company. Both are very excited to see everyone.

Mike and his son, Jake, have been working around the house quite a bit over the summer, and they've created a wonderful veranda that we've sat under, enjoying the miles and miles and miles and miles and miles and miles and miles and miles and miles and miles and miles and miles of open space. It's quite a difference from the woods of Wisconsin :) We're enjoying it.