A few years ago we were looking at a map and realized that Mt. Rushmore was only about 650 miles from us, which is about the same that we drive to Southern California and it would only take a day to get there and a day to get home. So we decided that we really wanted to go, it was only a question of when. Dan and I love planning road trips and some happen sooner than others. Last year we didn't make it on any long trips so we were determined to go somewhere new this year. As we planned, it started out a lot longer, but then reality checked in, along with expenses and we decided it was just to South Dakota and back, not a huge trip like we dreamed. But that will happen someday. Dan's work has just been so busy he didn't have a lot of time to take off either.
This is as you walk up to Mt. Rushmore. On a side note, we had started playing the out of state license plate game, which is great to do when you go to a National Park, especially one like Mt. Rushmore. We kept track and saw so many plates from different states and from different places in Canada. More on that later.
This was our first real glimpse of Mt. Rushmore. We are just on the other side of the entrance and right next to the Information/Visitor Center.
Dan & the kids. Me and the kids.
Getting closer. This is by the Avenue of Flags. Our state of Utah was near the end closes to the memorial.
I thought this was a pretty good picture for our little camera just on the viewing terrace. The morning was a little overcast and drizzle would start every now and then, but overall really nice because it wasn't hot.
Dan and the kids.
Me and the kids. Megan wouldn't turn around because she had already taken one picture in front of it and she wanted to keep looking at it.
We kept getting comments on how Nytis had the best seat being carried around all day. We also got lots of comments on how cute he was. I'd have to agree.
There's a long walk you can go on and getting closer to the monument. I think it's called the Presidents walk or tour. We got some really up close pictures of the statues. It was really cool. This is as close as you can get unless you're a worker helping with the upkeep of the monument.
Overall, very cool to see and I would highly encourage everyone to visit it at least once in their life. After we left, the weather turned very wet and it poured most of the day. We really went at the perfect time. As for the overall out of state license plate game, by the time we got home we were only missing 4 plates, which were Delaware, Maine, New Hampshire and Kentucky. Yes, we even got Hawaii and Alaska. It was a lot of fun.
I know his head is cut off but it's still a cute picture.
Catherine loved the Monkey bars.
Nytis loved the slide. 
It was such a nice rest after being in the car for so long and the kids got to get out and play. Much better then them running around a gas station or someplace asking if they could have everything in sight. I think all rest stops should have playgrounds.
This was our first real glimpse of Mt. Rushmore. We are just on the other side of the entrance and right next to the Information/Visitor Center.
Dan & the kids. Me and the kids.
Getting closer. This is by the Avenue of Flags. Our state of Utah was near the end closes to the memorial.
I thought this was a pretty good picture for our little camera just on the viewing terrace. The morning was a little overcast and drizzle would start every now and then, but overall really nice because it wasn't hot. 
Dan and the kids. 
Me and the kids. Megan wouldn't turn around because she had already taken one picture in front of it and she wanted to keep looking at it.
We kept getting comments on how Nytis had the best seat being carried around all day. We also got lots of comments on how cute he was. I'd have to agree.
There's a long walk you can go on and getting closer to the monument. I think it's called the Presidents walk or tour. We got some really up close pictures of the statues. It was really cool. This is as close as you can get unless you're a worker helping with the upkeep of the monument.
When we were first getting the kids out of the car, Megan said, "look, bunny" and I thought she meant a statue or something. But no, it was just a cute little bunny on the lawn. It was adorable.
and he played with Jonah's dinosaurs. He was so cute because if he was grumpy at all you could give him one of these dinosaurs, especially the brontosaurus and he'd hold it and start growling. Sometimes we'd have to growl and then he'd start growling and he'd just sit there in his seat and growl.
Such a cute boy. 
Jonah had to join in the dinosaur fun.
The other thing is, we'd be driving around and Nytis would get very tired and just sit there zoning, but when we got the camera out to take a picture, he'd perk up and give us an adorable smile.
I know, you can't tell from this picture that the kids are totally excited about this.
Getting closer......
and it's basically done. Since this picture we have added bark under the playground and some railroad ties along the sides to hold in the bark and it looks really nice. I'd take a picture but our camera broke. So this will have to do for now.
And everybody loves it. They play on it everyday and get plenty of sunshine and exercise and we don't have to go anywhere. YEAH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!1
YEAH!!!!! FIREWORKS!!!!!!
Dan's hanging out with the kids while I get to light a few.
SPARKLERS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Jonah was really nervous to hold a sparkler and when it got down to the end he started freaking out and saying that it burned him. We rushed his hand in a bowl of cool water and he just sat there soaking his hand the rest of the night. We're not really sure that he did burn his hand though because there was no mark at all, not even a little red spot. So we think that as the sparkler worn down it might have been hot and it just really scared him.
A ring toss to get tootsie pops.
A pie eating contest. Jonah did not actually participate in the contest but after watching everyone eat their pie this way he decided to also.
Megan did participate in the contest for the first time. 
This was Catherine's first year participating also.
A waterballoon toss.
A three legged race.
Jonah and his grandpa. He absolutely loves his grandpa and gets so excited whenever we go to grandpa's house.
We had to include Nytis in the pictures.
And the giant water slide. These pictures were supposed to be first.
Love this picture with the braids going wild.
We also watched fireworks at Dan's brother's house that night. Fourth of July was a lot of fun.
