What a Week!!

Wow, we feel like we were just sucked up by a hurricane and spit out! The last 7 days have just been off the wall! After finishing a few more activities on Wed. and Thurs. last week, we enjoyed the boys' Kindergarten graduation on Friday morning - SO cute. I didn't fall apart like I was afraid I would, and had a very nice time. :) Yeahh! My little graduates:

We then spent the rest of Friday preparing for our FIRST CAMPING TRIP OF THE SEASON!! We're back in action and are so happy it's camping season again! Getting our camper back after 8 months of not using it is like seeing an old friend again. When we picked it up last week, Jack and Noah wanted to just go sit in it in the driveway, they were so happy. Saturday morning we headed out to the Badlands with 3 other families and my mom and dad, and had absolutely the best weekend. Great friends, spectacular scenery, beautiful weather, nice campground, it was just awesome. Check out this view - you can't grasp the depth here, though, with a picture . . .

There's Jack, if you can see him . . . .

There's my mom, taking in the view . . .

The Four Happy Campers, back in business!!

Another great view -

My two little monkeys . . .

What an unbelievable place to visit. Lots of people look at us funny when we tell them we're going to the Badlands, but they have no idea what they're missing - we just can't get enough of the place. The kids have the time of their lives there, and are already asking when we can go back! :)

Now we're home for a couple days, and then on Thursday we're headed to a resort in Okoboji, IA for a long weekend with my whole family, as well as Mark's parents, to celebrate my mom and dad's 40th wedding anniversary. Can't wait, it should be a lot of fun - it always is when we get the whole gang together.

On a closing note, here's what Noah did most of the afternoon on Friday while I was packing and cleaning the camper:

I was amazed - he got into this Star Wars book and couldn't put it down. He read the whole thing, and I know he understood what he was reading because he was reciting Star Wars facts to Jack. I LOVE it - he's developing a love for reading, just like his mommy!