So. What an interesting week! Tuesday was another big packing day. I finished packing all the kids and my own clothes. I decided to pack a separate swimming gear tote and to hang everyone's dress clothes in the trailer. We also have a single tote for all of the kid's shoes - dress shoes and play shoes and flip-flops. Each year something a little different, and hopefully more efficient. After an unexpected trip to Rapid City Tuesday afternoon, we came back and had family pictures taken by our dear friend Mary Ellen Biskup.
Wednesday brought more packing and cleaning. Jeff's clothes and all the camping gear got packed. Jeff worked on getting the hardware worked out in both the trailer and the van; the clothes rack for the dress clothes, and the bench out of the van to make room for Ginger's kennel. We decided to bring the big ice cream maker so that we can make plenty for the fourth of July, and I tried to be fore-thinking and bring an extra sleeping bag in case of accidents and/or vomit. (We have dealt with that a time or two.) Something new I am trying this year is plastic carpet covering on the back bench where the kids sit. We'll see if it works or if I have to replace it too many times to be worth the effort.
We have a family (also dear friends) staying in our place while we are gone, so I wanted to try to get the house cleaned up a bit before we left, but finally - two hours after we were supposed to leave, I gave up and decided we just needed to get on the road. (Sorry for the mess Jenny!) And at 9:00 we pulled out of Spearfish and headed out on our way to our Great Summer Adventure!
