Thoughts from the birthday girl

Marian: "Kateri, has it been fun being four?"

K: "Yes."

M: "Do you think it might be even more fun being five?"

K: "Yes." (Thoughtful pause.) "But I really like having you for my mom. So I don't think I want to grow up."

To which I responded, as every mother who ever lived would have: "I'll always be your mom."

And Kateri, who may be more ruthlessly practical than we realized, pointed out this inevitability: "Until you die."

Even then, sweetheart, even then.

Ever more mobile

Pia goes everywhere. 

She's also taking a step or two on her own. 

Hmm...

Kateri: "I'm trying to stop eating sweets, too, but Daddy makes me."

Day 8

We stayed at Richard and Amber's place in Nebraska. 

I reset before Beatrice a week ago so add about eight miles: six states and 2,346 miles. Two nights camping and lots of fun. 

Day 7

Sleepy girls. 

Isaiah said he didn't want eggs then asked for seconds when I forced the issue. 

Day visit. 

The whole reason for the trip: Carhenge. 

Day 6

Devil's Tower (boring rock according to Kateri). 

She did, however, enjoy climbing and scrambling over the rocks and boulders at the base. 

We found a campground near Rushmore and set the tent up before dark. I was $3 short of the fee and had to track that and firewood (for s'mores -- oops, no chocolate) down at 9:15 at night. 

The program leading up to the lighting was moving. 

There was game playing with Susan before we left Sheridan in the morning. 

Wildlife

There are the buffalo. We also saw deer on the drive in and the prairie dogs were a favorite. 

A cabin used by Teddy Roosevelt and two girls working on junior ranger badges. 

We dropped sticks in the Little Missouri River in the park and in the Yellowstone River in Montana. Hopefully Paul and Liz will watch the river in KC and let us know when they pass. 

Matt with KU friends Donna and Paulin Sheridan, Wyoming. 

Day 5

Kids did great in their sleeping bags. It got down to 40 and was breezy. 

Badlands views in the park were great. 

Hmmm. Buffalo has been here. 

Theodore Roosevelt National Park

Arrived late but was able to cook hamburgers despite wind. 

Then s'mores with the burner. 

Further enchantment

Re-enacting as Rough Riders. 

Digging. 

The last stop on the highway. Thankfully the gift shop was closed. 

Fish and pheasants

Catch of the day. 

Food for thought. 

Biggering

In retrospect, we should have stopped for the world's largest Sandhill crane, too. 

The enchanted highway was a 60-mile detour but loads of fun. Geese in flight, although we couldn't get close to this one because of a closed road. 

There was an enchanted maze by the deer.