More of Mt. Rushmore!

DAY 2

Wednesday we woke up to blue skies and sunshine!  Hooray! It was a perfect day to go see Mt. Rushmore! We rented this little Jeep Compass that was really fun to drive around in. Randel was a great driver, he found his way around like a pro taxi driver! 

 As we walked in, there's a long walkway leading to the mountain. Further along there was a display of all the US flags!

 The terrace and below is the amphitheater for the night show.

 We rented hand held recorders to listen to as we walked the

"Presidential Trail"

We walked into this cave on the Trail and could see Washington through the crack. 

 Looking up at the 450,000 tons of rock that was blasted off. Dynamite was used to remove 90% of the rock to get to the good granite underneath.

Our final look at the mountain was we drove away! What an awesome day!

Another "check" off my bucket list---Mt. Rushmore!!

We left Monday, Sept. 28 for Rapid City, South Dakota with our friends, Randel and Nancy Penrod. Seeing Mt. Rushmore has been something we've been wanting to do for a long time! We found out that parts of South Dakota are very pretty!!  When we arrived it was rainy, foggy and cold, quite a change from Phoenix!

Day 1

 We took a drive to Spearfish, a really pretty town and then took the scenic route.

 We saw lots of streams and water falls.

 This is what a lot of the mountains look like

 We saw lots of deer that seemed pretty tame.

 I told Dad that I wanted a bridge like this!

 Nancy and Randel were great traveling companions.

 We drove through lots of tunnels like this on our scenic drive.

 More deer and turkeys

 even goats!

More tunnels and then finally our first look at...

MT. RUSHMORE!!  It was getting dark, but we could still see it!

What a sight, its much more impressive in real life!

 While we were waiting for it to get dark and for the evening program to start, we ate at Carver's Cafe where they had really good home cooked food!

The program was a wonderful patriotic show, a park gal shared many stories and quotes from the presidents who's faces are on the mountain--all from memory!  Then as she asked us to stand and sing, 'My Country Tis of Thee', the lights came on the faces! I have to tell you, it was pretty moving!! I couldn't help but shed a few tears!

"Wonder of Wonder, Miracles, Miracles".... Lisa & Barry got a BABY!!!

It all happened so FAST, we are still in shock mode!! From the time they were contacted on adoption.com to actually holding 'baby' in their arms, it was 10 days!!! How does that happen?? It was a miracle, that's how!!! We are all thrilled, but I know Lisa & Barry are in heaven!! They now have a little baby girl to call their own, and they are both so in LOVE with her!!

First time in 'daddy's' arms!  He said all he did for the first 14 hours is just stare at her!!

Just hours old!!

Mommy & baby! Lisa & Barry stayed at the hospital for 4 days, waiting to be able to take her home!

Tummy time on Barry's tummy! Both so content!!

Baby girl born, Saturday Aug. 29, 2015 around 6:30pm

Each day she just gets cuter!

Meet 'Lillian (Lilly) Aliah Keime!

We call her our little 'bean burrito'! She loves being wrapped up tight!

Her Great Grandma, Lillian Dawes ( her namesake) holding her, 

with great Aunt Sonja!

Mom was pretty excited and honored that they would name

their baby after her!!

4 generations! We are so lucky to still get these pictures! Mom is 90 after all!! I wish my Dad would've been there for another 4 generation picture on his side!!

Beautiful Mommy, beautiful baby!

How does one get any cuter???

Smart too, already holding her bottle!

Angel baby!!  Everything she does is just so cute, we have to take pictures!

When Barry needs a nap, he says the baby needs 'tummy time'!

Uncle Bret came to visit.

So did great Aunt J'net!

I saved the most precious picture for last!!  What a dolly!

I got to spend four glorious days just holding, feeding, burping, bathing, staring, kissing, and loving on this baby girl. Lilly will be adored by everyone in this family forever and we are so BLESSED circumstances brought her into our family. Its a wonder and a miracle!!  Prayers are answered!!