Sarah's mom came several times in the summer and also for Thanksgiving. We enjoyed a trip to Custer Park, shopping in Rapid City, planting flowers, happy hours on our deck, and decorating the house for Christmas.
In June, Sarah's cousin visited with his family. We toured some of the local attractions - Bear Country and Reptile Gardens. Because Scott, Heidi, and their girls had been here before, we felt like we were the tourists and they were the guides! The girls had their second tour of the Hills by helicopter.
In July, Scott came back to see us for a week and experience fly fishing in the Black Hills. He went to great lengths for trout. This was Sarah's first fly fishing experience. Scott was a great teacher! During his visit we also had close encounters with bison in Custer Park and a tour of Wind Cave.
Sarah's sister Linda and brother-in-law Pepi also visited in July. The highlight was the day we spent in Deadwood for the Days of 76 parade and a bus tour of the city, including Wild Bill's grave site. We didn't let them leave without seeing Mt. Rushmore and trying our favorite burger joint, Lewie's.
In September, our friend Steve Johnson stopped by on his way back to Boise from Wisconsin. We showed him a night out in Rapid City. It was so nice to see him.
On Saturday we drove to Leslie Gulch in search of the wild flowers that weren't there in April. Well they weren't there in May either. But the rock formations were still spectacular, and we enjoyed showing the area to my parents.
We spent a lot of time on the deck. It was the best place for smoking cigars, drinking gin, and for keeping Susie entertained. She loved watching the people and dogs passing by on the bike path behind our house.
I know it seems like the weekend was all about the beagle, and let's be honest - it was. But seriously, I absolutely love spending time with my parents, and I am so glad they are willing to drive all the way from Kansas to Idaho to see me.
