Thanksgiving

A few pictures from Thanksgiving week 2009. It was a memorable one! We couldn't travel too far, but did get to go see my aunt (my mom's sister) in Wyoming. We weren't sure we were even going until the very last minute. So here's a recap: 3 states in 5 days, a very spontaneous visit to a National Monument, an encounter with a BEAUTIFUL horse we named "Butterscotch" whom we fed an apple to, lots of talking, a GREAT find in Rapid City, South Dakota (that would be "Sanfords" restaurant - yummy!!!!), lots of laughs over YouTube stuff, passing Crazy Horse (where my Grandpa's final resting place is), Christmas music, the straw hair loss of one of Jae's dolls, all at the hands of Ben, who shoved some in a vase to hide it and then tried to put the rest in his pocket for later (what?), a crazy little show involving little Elmo (put on by my Aunt - you had to be there. She does a great impersonation of Elmo and Ben was extremely entertained), and a very yummy Thanksgiving dinner!! However, THAT started out a little rocky. I forgot to add sugar to the pumpkin pies and had to remake them, Aunt Jae made popcorn out of the "corn" and we weren't completely sure why our gravy wasn't turning out right...soooo, we added a little flour, only to see little "flour balls" in the saucepan (mmm, yummy). We eventually got it all taken care of and enjoyed a VERY good meal together. Good memories! He really thinks he is a rockstar. I'm not kidding.

Me and Aunt Jae talking inside (Mario was outside)
Us with the original driller for Mount Rushmore
He worked on the project from 1937-1940, 70 years before
Ben's birth, 38 years before mine and Mario's - WOW!!!
Entering South Dakota - We had never been before
Crazy Horse, South Dakota

Ben playing on the bench outside the museum

before his meltdown!

The Kuhns at Mount Rushmore!!!!

Our little "Butterscotch"

Ben fed her an apple and we loved on her a while

Ben

Here are a few pictures of Ben in fall. He is getting so big. I can't believe he's going on 3!! He loves movies, talks and talks....and talks. He's REALLY into motorcyles right now and anything rough and tough.

One of my favorites

In our front yard

At the Corn Maze

He's like a little model!!

Corn Maze

For the third year in a row, we went to Vaughn to go to the Corn Maze. As always, it was a-Maize-ing! We even did the corn maze this time (it only took us 3 hours!). Not really - we spent about 45 minutes or so lost in there! The kids (Ben, Abby, and Liam) loved it. Ben really appreciated that slide this year. He climbs up all by himself and just goes. He loved the hay jump too. He is all boy, climbing up and then jumping off into the hay.

Ben in the hay jump Jumping into the hay - woo hoo!!

Papa and Ben
Playing in the corn box - it got a little crazy in there!
Ben and Abby -- I think this is his 2nd love. Of course,

Avery was his first!!

Air Force Ball 09

This is us right before we attended the Air Force Ball, Sep 09. Great food, good times, and as usual, the speech was longer than it should be! It was fun to dress up and go out for the night with everyone.

The girls

Zach Schmidt, Melissa Holtgrave, Karen Schmidt, Jen and Mario Kuhn

Holter Lake, one of our favorite places

We have spent so much time out at Holter Lake this year. It is one of our favorite places to go during the summer. We had the pleasure of spending time with some great friends out there this year water skiing, cooking out, camping, jetskiing, swimming, fishing, and chasing away the bees (yep, they were back this summer, much to our dismay!!). This last trip, Mario and his friend, Mike went out during the night under the moonlight - how much better can it get?! Good times, sunshine, and summertime!!!!! And alas, it is nearly over. We will miss that lake, but hope to go back during the winter when it is frozen over to go ice fishing! I must be crazy.

Rachel waving to Mike on the jetski with her daughter, Morgan
Mike took Ben on his FIRST jetski ride -he LOVED it.
I was biting my nails for the first couple minutes, but whatever!

Ben making his first s'more. He picked that little stick out!

This is too funny! Mike cast his line from his.....jet ski!!

Ok, here we go!!

Right before we took off

The three of us jet skiing - woo~hoo!!!

Mario pulling out of the water!! Yay!

Grandpa and Meema's visit

The always beautiful Holter Lake

Hey, I LOVE my new 4-wheeler!

Having fun with Grandpa -- I love this one!

The boys fishing

Wading in the water

This nightcrawler is pretty cool

Three generations, hand in hand

Beautiful sunset over Holter Lake

We caught one! I love Ben's face in this one as he looks on!!

The three boys fishing

Listening to music at the Buffalo Jump

Grandpa and Meema at the Buffalo Jump

Ben, Papa and Mama -- Ben looks like a little prarie boy!

Standing right on the Buffalo Jump where buffalo were run off the cliff - Wow!

Hey, look at me on my new favorite toy!!

Kubee vacation (i.e. Kuhn and Beeman comined)

More to come... it's a work in progress!

The sunshine (and Calneta pointing the way) on the lake - BEAUTIFUL!!!! Mama, Ben and cousin Taryn on the dock at Holter Lake The kiddos on the bridge at Ryan's Dam...I love this one On the big rock together - I just love how Ben is pointing the opposite direction!! Posing on a big rock at Ryan's Dam The Kuhns up on the rocks at Ryan's Dam Cozy in a cove at Ryan's Dam The Kuhn family at First People's Buffalo Jump (Ulm Pishkun) Ben, Taryn and Trevor in action Slip n' slide fun - good one! Trevor and Ben snuggling and watching a movie together - awwww... Jim pumping his fist for MORE!! Papa and Ben walking down to the dock to go fishing

Uncle Jim and Ben