2. If you've seen Mount Rushmore once - you've seen it a thousand times.

3. My kids are awesome for loooooonnnngggg rides.

4. Aunt Joan is an amazing hostess.

5. Do NOT go 75 mph in a 45 mph construction zone.  That will get you a hefty ticket!

6. Having lots of treats in the car is very important!

7. A mountain is a mountain is a mountain. . . 

8. Our WHOLE family can actually fit comfortably in one of Joan's 4 huge jacuzzis.

9. Being a Godparent is an amazing feeling!

10. Seeing 44 elk in Joan's yard is pretty cool for a city girl.

11. Keeping the kids quiet for two hours at a rest stop after 11 hours of driving at 3:30am while Daddy rests is very tricky.

12.  Letting Daddy rest after 11 hours of driving is very smart!

13. I don't care what they say - Casa Bonita rocks!

14. After Tiny Town - Victoria is getting her own Tiny House.

15. We will not return to the Black Hills for many many years.

16. I like guacamole - I shouldn't have waited 30 years to try it.

17. Mark's CO friends are more fun than I expected.

18.  The GPS is a miracle worker!

19. Having adults around to watch the kids so we could go out at night was priceless!

20.  The Mazda Tribute is too small for a family of four to drive nearly 2,000 miles in 7 days!

21. The kids love to jump on hotel room beds. (Duh)

22. (Virtually) no cell phones, computers, or internet for a week is awesome!

23. Watching your kids' faces as they experience something new is a wonderful feeling.

24. Finding a random park after driving 6 hours is a Godsend.

25. Mark and Ted are truly kids at heart.

26. I really wished we lived closer to Ted, Hollis and Walker.  Maybe Hollis and I will really go on a Girls' Weekend!

27. There are only so many cows, horses, elk. . . .roadside to keep a 3 yr old entertained.

28. Mark will video tape a stationary Great Horned Owl way too long.

29. The views from Joan's and Ted's never cease to amaze me.

30.  I got to know Mark's cousins and I loved it!

31. Christian is the ultimate sleeper - even in a one room hotel room.

32. Singing songs in the car as a family is a great feeling.

33.  After hearing so many people call us our first names all week - Victoria has begun calling us Mark and Kel.  It's driving us nuts.

34.  Daddy and Victoria out for a 'late' night stroll to buy souveniers brings back a very happy daddy and little girl!

35.  The McDonald's in Sterling, CO is the best I've ever seen!

36. Taking the scenic route back during nap time is not a good idea - especially when you're "not really sure where this road leads." 

37.  The kids really missed the dog.

38. Victoria may  not trust Daddy to take her on another water slide for a long time after getting accidentally dunked.

39.  Christian is not afraid of the water - at all.  I saved his life over and over. . . in one foot of water.  I think he'll be joining a swim class soon.

40.  A petting zoo is so much fun.

41.  Christian does not enjoy riding a horse.

42. Being back home is wonderful.