SD for vacation

So we have been back for over a week from our trip to South Dakota to visit Brenda's sister's family and thought it was about time to let everyone know what went on.  When we got there I was starting to feel a bit under the weather and ended up with a sinus thing the entire time, but that is life.

 

On Saturday we got a chance to go and see Landon play in his soccer game.  It is the kind of league and age where they do not keep score, but I kept it all the same.  I think they won like 7 to 0 and Landon had two goals, so it was pretty fun.  The weather on the other hand was pretty cold and windy, it was actually quite a cold and miserable weather day, but that is only because we expected it to be warmer and neglected to bring all four seasons of clothing...we should have known better.

Landon posing in the normal soccer pose.  He was pretty good at soccer and paid very close attention unlike some of the other kids.

Landon had a train set with a remote control where you could go forward and back, but that was all he needed.  Notice the drool at the cool toys Landon had.

One day we just had to get outside and it was plenty windy so we thought it would be a good time letting the women and babies alone and getting out there to fly a few kites.  Turned out to be a perfect day for it and James's first time so we had a blast.

The kite at one point was actually pretty far up there and I was amazed that James was able to hold on when Landon let him have a chance.  Of course he also had to have a monster truck in the other hand, but that is standard.

Amazed at the height.

One day when Kevin was gone and the women needed a break I took the kiddos to the local park.  We had a good time, but I did have to reprimand a few teens for vulgar language...idiots.

James looking at the hole in the ground and being totally amazed.  I would have given my right arm for a fake snake to throw in the hole that day.

Look at those legs.  So cute and amazing.

The girls doing what girls do, roundoffs in the front yard.

James also made me a few sand cupcakes.  Landon and I were fake eating them and then James mimicked us, but actually ate some dirt.  Hilarious when your kid has sand all over his mouth and face.

Typical midwest front driveway sitting.

We loved hanging out in the driveway and chilling with the kids.

Hot air balloons came over the house one day and you can see it in the background.

You think this teeter totter is a little one sided.

Brothers kissing little brothers.

So the weather went from cold when we got there to one day it was like 94 and humid...seriously can't win sometimes.

Colleen came down to hang out one day as well.

Right after this picture Matthew grabbed his hair and just about scalped the kiddo.

Warm weather means time for sprinklers.

And of course drinking out of the hose which is a favorite of mine so I was glad to see my boy out there.

We also got to go and eat some lunch with Lindsey

All the cousins hanging out on the couch.  We had a great time and although I was feeling a bit under the weather and puked in the airport, the traveling was not as bad as it could have been.

Random picture of James hanging out on the stairs.

Matthew smiling like he does almost all of the time.

Happy birthday (he was 2 on the 20th) to James from aunt Tami.  Tee ball in the house is not a great idea on my part, but he is very good at batting.  I think we will have to move it outside.

Here I am with James riding the bike I built around the block.  Nothing like a cargo strap to function as a safety belt...pretty much awesome.

FInally Home from Mining in ID

Finally just got back from a week down in southern ID and now have some time to rest and relax at home.  I was down in the middle of nowhere ID out in the National Forest doing some water testing and although it was pretty cool, they were long days and not great lodging options so I am glad to be at home.  It is also a tough time to leave with the kids since they are so much fun, so I like to be at home....oh ya, and my wife, my wife....I love to be with her as well.

I think this picture was taken at the local library where James gets to hang out with Noelle from time to time.  He was actually having fun, but has the DeJong stare going on which happens to all of us around pretty girls.

Of course James like to wear dad"s work hat as well.  He probably could use it with how close he is getting to hitting his head on the counter edges of the island in the kitchen.

Matthew also had to get duded up to ride the motorcycle....although I was not allowed to take him.

Matthew is sitting in the Bumpo now. He really can stand up well in addition to laughing all of the time.

Power tool are one of James's favorate thing and second to that would be kitchen tools such as blenders and waffle irons.

Here is James with our neighbor kids.  He is always going over there to play or having them over to play.

Annie and James on the front swing.  That girl's curls are so adorable.

When I got home on Monday we stopped at Manito park for a picnic.  The weather here has been awesome and today it was like 85 and sunny.  I got to get out on the bike for a quick ride one of these days.

Matthew loves to smile and is going to love summertime

Brenda and the boy in front of the best flowers in the park this time of year.

Classic James smile.  If you ask him to show his teeth to you this is what you get.

And here are a few pics from work last week.  Someday were hot and then the next some snow squalls would come through so it was normal spring in the rockies.  As if driving around in a UTV can really be considered work.

Here is the pit lake for the phosphate strip mine we were working at.  They are done mining this area and this is what is left.  Of course I saw a bunch of funny mining bumper stickers at the mine, but  a couple of my favorates read "Earth First.....we will mine the other planets later"  or "strip mining prevents forest fires".

Here is a small rockslide down in the pit where we were the day before taking samples.  Some of the pits are huge v ditch like 20' wide at the bottom and walls hundreads of feet high...kind of cool but scarry at the same time.