Bird Family Reunion 2016 The Trip Home

We spent Friday driving all day. We were sad to say goodbye to our family but it was time to make the journey home. 

We stopped in Wichita, Kansas and then headed out early Saturday morning to Oklahoma City to enjoy the Children's Museum. I love his museum! It is packed with hands on exhibits. 

We had planned to spend half of the day at the museum and the other half at the zoo but the museum we just too much fun! 

Our little astronaut

The segway course was a big hit! 

You know that toy where you put your hand on it and the pegs make an impression of it and then you tip it and they all line up again on one side, well this was a body sized one. Peter put Samantha's whole body on it and it was hilarious! 

Peter the tight rope walker. 

 Sand wheels

 She just felt all of the pieces wanted to meet in the middle. 

Jon and Arabella had a great game on a checkers board this size. 

Joseph and the train exhibit! He is such a train loving boy and I hope he never changes! 

The drive home was pretty short (comparatively) and we had so much fun that nobody complained about being in the car- in fact I think almost all of them fell asleep. 

We had such an amazing trip! I love vacations and making memories with my family- it is worth every cent, every bit of planning, all of the packing (and unpacking), the tears and whining because I know that my kids will remember these experiences! 

Bird Family Reunion 2016: Water Park and Family Fun Time

Thursday morning we spent at an indoor water park that was part of the hotel. 

We had SO MUCH FUN!  

The lifeguards were really laid back on the rules and so all of the kids were able to ride the water slides and go in a variety of age combinations. Lily and Samantha loved that they could ride the same slides as the big kids. Eventually Samantha was so worn out she fell asleep in Peter's arms as they floated around the river over and over in a tube.

Tammy put this video together. Some of the footage is from Friday morning after we had already left.

 After swimming for a few hours and eating lunch we headed to a park with these really big dinosaurs but not much level playing ground. 

 We were still able to nap (see above picture), teach chinese jump rope to the kids, and hang out under the belly and in the shade of a brontosaurus. 

 We then headed to an actual park and the kids had a great time playing on the playground and then a game of kickball. 

This guy was such a trooper- it is amazing that I have a picture of him without a kid on his shoulders, back or in his arms. He was really good about soaking up the family time. 

Bird Family Reunion 2016: Wind Cave, Custer State Park, Needles Highway, and lets not forget Mount Rushmore

We had such a great time on Wednesday enjoying the many beauties of the area!

First, we took a tour of Wind Cave.

It was beautiful and we learned a lot about caves. 

 A few pictures from inside. 

 After the caves we ate lunch and played a bit and then headed to Custer State Park in search of the mighty buffalo. 

 We saw some, not as many as we would have hoped but they were majestic. 

 We drove through Needles Highway and it was one of the most scenic drives I have taken in my life. 

 And the crazy tunnels carved out of the rock were a bit intense. 

 Next up, a short (1 mile) hike around a beautiful little lake. We are pretty sure it is the lake that is used in the second National Treasure movie. 

 This little girl hiked most of the way herself including a bunch of stairs. 

 The kids were all over the rock formations. I tried to not be too nervous. That is Joseph in the blue and Jon in the red shirt. 

 Arabella was not going to be outdone by her brothers. 

 Lily was a bit more cautious but she was not far behind. 

 And of course Mount Rushmore. Here is the picture from last year. Oh my word, my kids have grown so much! I love seeing them growing and learning! 

Samantha fell in love with Grandma and Grandpa, especially when she realized they would hold her hands and carry her down most of the stairs at Mount Rushmore. 

 Jon has really missed being around his cousins. 

Check out that crew! 

We had such a fun day with everyone! I am so thankful for the memories we made and the time we spent enjoying one another and some of the beauty of this great country. 

Bird Family Reunion 2016: Badlands National Park

After the Corn Palace, we continued on our way to the Badlands and our designated meeting place Wall Drug in the city of Wall.

We did stop to help a family that had just been clipped by a diesel truck and rolled over.  It was a bit crazy. Everyone was going to be okay but the mother had a pretty bad concussion. One girl was thrown out the rear window which was crazy but she was doing better than her mom. 

Anyway, back to the Badlands. We were running a bit ahead of the rest of the gang coming from the West so we decided to do a little pre stop in the Badlands. It was breathtaking in its own dry dessert sort of way. 

 It was so super windy when we stopped!

 Well, aren't we just the best looking couple in the Badlands. 

 Queen of the hill.

 Samantha was not so sure about this slick rocky surface and strong wind.

 The weather was so beautiful we rolled down the windows and opened the sunroof and took it all in!

 We made it to Wall Drug and had some free water (that is what they are known for).

It only took a few minutes and the whole gang arrived! I was so glad to see my boys again! 

 My group of people and how I love them! It felt good to have all of us together again!

Most of the cousins climbing and striking a pose.

We ended the night with lots of visiting and pizza! I love seeing my family and wish we lived closer so that it could happen more often.