Road Trip - Part 5

Saturday, June 23, we drove from Thermopolis, Wyoming, to Chamberlain, South Dakota.  The drive itself was beautiful and beautifully uneventful.  We didn't realize that we would be driving through the Big Horn Mountains until we were actually driving through the mountains.  The entire morning passed quickly due to the scenery.

Saturday evening we stopped at Matt's parents' home for a quick patio dinner before another rainstorm.  We had enough of a chance to see Grandma's flowers, visit with the grandparents, and get some wiggles out before checking in to our hotel and getting settled for the night.

Sunday morning was a big day for the Senior Mischnicks.  Mark not only celebrated 20 years of pastoral ministry, but he also presided at his final service before retiring!

Amazingly, all three of his children, two of their spouses (Pastor Chris had other obligations in nearby Huron), and his eleven grandchildren were all able to worship together for Mark's last service.

After church, the congregation hosted a brunch for the Mischnicks and all who came to wish Mark well.  The cousins formed groups quickly and easily by age.  The four oldest boys (Mark, Jonah, Seth, and Nate) played cards.

The four middlest girls (Anna, Kate, Ruth, and Julia) goofed of and played pretend.

 

The youngest three (Ethan, Claire, and Zeke) played some imagination game outside.

The whole crew hung out at Grandma and Grandpa's Chamberlain house one last time, admiring Grandma's flowers, playing cards, and visiting with one another, before driving over to the Mischnicks' new home in Mitchell.  More card games, more imagination, and more visiting ensued.

Ruth and Kate continued their writing project in earnest.  Those two discussed, drew, outlined, and planned for a few hours that afternoon.

During this time, we did out best to take some family pictures.  Here are a few of what I got on my camera.  I may add some more as they become available.

I almost like the goofy picture better than the smiling one :)

Someone must have made these siblings laugh at just the right moment :)

When things finally wound down for the evening and we got settled in our hotel, our crew was t-i-r-e-d.  This was the night/morning that we all slept in until almost 8 a.m.  That NEVER happens at home.

A few months ago when we realized that all of the family was going to be in South Dakota for Mark's retirement, we decided to extend the visit by one day and consider Monday the "family" day.  We started the morning at the Corn Palace (after we barely made it to the hotel breakfast on time!).

Although our family had made this tourist stop a couple of years ago, it didn't stop us from having fun.  Here, the girls are husking the giant ear of corn.

The murals of last year were in the beginning stages of being transitioned over to the next murals.  It was fun and educational to watch the workers going through this process.

This family doesn't need a lot to be entertained, although the adults all knew when it was time to leave ... the gift shop was a little too enticing.

We all plopped down for the educational video as well.  It's amazing what you can learn from those!

After the Corn Palace, we all invaded a local Culver's.  Surprisingly, the 19 of us were able to sit with/near each other!

For the afternoon, we took one final 45 minute journey up to Huron, SD, to see Pastor Chris' new church.  Actually, the weather wasn't cooperating for our hopes of hanging out a park, so Chris' congregation lovingly allowed us to invade their activity center for the afternoon.

The men and big boys in the group played an exciting game of Around the World.

The girls got out some great coloring books.

And Anna played some more games ... surprise, surprise!

Although we were all tired, everyone was able to enjoy the company of those we hadn't seen in a long, long time.

And others had the opportunity to act like the big kids that they still are.

Grandpa and Grandma were able to come for some of the time, but they were (very understandably) tired.

The last few hours together were spent celebrating these kids.  Mark was due to turn 14 on Wednesday; Anna was turning 11 on Wednesday as well; Julia was able to celebrate her 7th birthday that very day.

And then we were done.  The next day was our LAST day of driving, with only 7.5 hours anticipated.  Hip, hip, hooray!

Here's a few moments of that final day of driving.  First, there was that time when two of the three kids were sleeping.

Then, there was the child who simply does not sleep in the car anymore.

There was also that time when the gas light came on, but we were still 5-10 miles from the next gas station.  (Don't worry, we made it in time.)

And finally, there was this.  Enjoy!