A Present for Willa

Last weekend I noticed a rummage sale ad that said "down sizing day care toys and furniture: child size table & chairs set". I also noticed the sale was in the neighborhood of the baseball games hubby was attending. Between games he checked it out and came home with a little present for Willa. (We have the table and chairs given to us/Kari by my parents over 25 years ago.)

Hubby cleaned the set, loaded it in the van and moved it to Willa's bedroom yesterday afternoon. It was waiting for her when she got home from day care.

Papa was telling her it was her table and chairs.

Well then, let's play!

 Lots of toys were moved to the table.

Even a little milk during play time with Papa.

 She loved moving the chairs around the room,

especially near the bed.

She asked Papa to get one of many/several

stuffed animals from her bed.

Kneeling on her chair when she 

was told she shouldn't stand on it.

A pose just for G'ma!

Garden Bounty and the Yard

Not to be outdone by my KS friend who is eating garden tomatoes already, these were picked from our garden this week.

 Haven't used the zucchini yet. We are both so thrilled the plant is still alive. Zucchini is not one of my most successful garden plants, in the past.

Although this cucumber wasn't all that big, it was delicious on our salads for dinner. It will be awhile until we have another, but that is OK. Fun to have the first one before the end of June.

The zucchini plant is healthy and has 3 little squash in the making.

 I took a picture of the garden on June 4 when we got back from out R & R in the Black Hills. 

The little rains and perfect temps the last three weeks have really been perfect for the plants. Little Roma tomatoes are appearing. The pepper plants are blooming.

I added 3 lobelia hanging baskets because butterflies were hanging around the plants at the greenhouses. Only one of the baskets is really looking good. I am a little disappointed in that decorative touch.

 I have been taking photos of the perennial flower bed as each of the colors are at their best. This was also from June 4th. I got back in time to the poppies in full bloom. The bed really needs some serious weeding.

The day lilies are in full bloom this week. But look at those weeds! I really need to spend some serious time cleaning that bed.

I bought a new fountain earlier this month. I love the sound of running water when I am sitting outside. I like my calla lily fountain.

Summer has arrived in eastern SD.

A Visit from Willa

Willa came to our house on Father's Day weekend. She played with the farm set before breakfast.

After Grandpa's pancake breakfast, she helped Daddy open his birthday present.

And then it was out to G'ma & G'pa Hansons for an afternoon of fun at the lake.

Her look says, "You want me to what? I just had a dunkin' in that lake! 

If you hold my hand, I'll go back in the water."

I am sure that is what was running through Willa's mind. It was running through my mind as I sat and watched her slip and fall face first. But then, you all know how much I like bodies of water larger than a hot tub!

A great family photo on Father's Day! 

(seven weeks to delivery date)

Rocco got his exercise fetching a stick in the water

A very serious expression

Water & sand toys helped

 So did playing with cousins Chloe & Ronnie

A great Father's Day afternoon

Thank You Hansons!

Thank you K & C for making Father's Day extra special!

The Majesty of Mt. Rushmore

No matter how many times I see this amazing national treasure, I am in awe. Enjoy Mt. Rushmore...

 

looking toward the north

the beauty of the pine trees in The Black Hills

 

 

the next two photos are of the rock areas

below and to the right of George

 

 

the swirls and textures 

 

and would this look like white granite if it were carved?

 

 

 

 

 

 

Well worth the visit

a little blue flower along the path

A Fishing Lesson

Hubby is not a fisherman, although he has gone fishing a few times and bought the 'equipment' to participate in the sport. While staying at Custer State Park he was invited to go fly fishing with Steve & Dave.

 Steve was giving hubby some fly fishing pointers

something took the fly

 catch & release brown spotted trout

every picture of Dave looks like he has 

the line or a fly in his mouth

These guys are serious fly fishermen

tie their own flies

study the water surface to see what the trout are catching

special glasses to see the trout

they went to several different streams

I don't think I have to worry about hubby having 

a new hobby or passion

he enjoyed learning, but hasn't bought any new

fishing equipment yet

enjoying a camp fire the last night at 

Custer State Park

somebody forgot the marshmallows!

Crazy Horse Volksmarch

Last weekend was the first weekend in June, which means, time for the Volksmarch on Crazy Horse Monument. That was second reason for our trip to the Black Hills. The first reason was some R & R time.

We left the 5th wheel at the camping resort on Friday and settled in a camping cabin at Custer State Park to be close to the friends who were also participating in the Crazy Horse Volksmarch. This was the 23rd year for the 10K walk on the monument. The one couple, Joyce & Steve, have participated in every one. Other friend Diane has walked for the last 12 years, I believe. Quite awesome!

It was a beautiful day for the 6.2 mile hike through the pine trees and up the mountain.

walking the road to the start of the walk

they arrived at 9:30

look at all the people at the top

on the arm

the first walkers can start at 8:00 am

and off they go

 walkers of all sizes and ages

some are lucky enough to 'hitch' a ride

hubby's artistic photo

well done, dear

nice framing, interest, proportion

the group felt there was noticeable progress 

on the monument carving since last June

in case you don't follow the thousands making the 

walk with you, there are signs showing the trail

chosen for walk

almost at the top

coming up from the 'back side' of the monument

a view from the top

looking at the road into the monument

and the parking lots for the many visitors

 this year's walkers
over 11,000 folks make the trek last weekend

wild irises along the way down