Mirci Moments: Mirci Family Vacation 2008, to South Dakota

Saturday, July 26, 2008

Mirci Family Vacation 2008, to South Dakota

THE ARRIVAL
And so it began, the Mirci Family Vacation of 2008. It started off quite nicely with the flight from Cleveland, Ohio, to Rapid City, South Dakota.

From there we met up with Aunt Shell, and Grandma and Papa Mirci.

Newlyweds Tristy and Dan, and expecting parents Curtis and Kasumi.

THE GOLDMINE

Dax didn't seem to want to ride the horse once we put the money in, but he gave away free kisses to the wooden donkey which we found at the gift shop near the Gold mine.

Mommy snuck a kiss to the Miner, and Joey and Dax came to "protect" her.

Daddy waiting for the rest to come out of the mine. In the mine they had some old mining tools on display.

Dax was pretty nervous inside the mine. And on the right we have a line of Mirci Miners!

Down into the mine! Unfortunately we didn't get any pictures of us panning for gold on our camera. We had a great time swishing water around our pans with dirt and rocks in them. We found gold dust and lots of quartz and even some little tiny pieces of red garnet. Garnet is the January birthstone and Mommies! Mommy could have spent the day trying to perfect the panning technique. And Dax could have spent it playing in the water!

Lola kept entertained by hamming it up with some sunglasses.

What Joey keeps calling "buffalo wings". There were plenty of wild Buffalo all over the Black Hills. One night we got to go out with our friends who live in Rapid City, Ricky and Terri Rodriguez. It happened to be their Anniversary, and Terri's birthday. At dinner we also got to meet their newest addition to their family, Landen Quint. They said we came at a good time that summer. It usually wasn't that green. The Black Hills don't get as much rain as we had thought, and they also have had problems with wildfires in past.

Joey

Loves learning to read and do math, creating his own games, and doting over his baby sister. Anything for "older kids", everything blue or red (like spiderman), Soccer, Wrestling, and Basketball with his brother and dad, and learning about many new and different things all the time. His woobies and kitties. Building and creating all sorts of things with his legos or just about anything. And of course he saves it all!This Summer he is super busy with Swimming lessons (he now swims under water and has goggles!) Basketball camp at the Community Center is a 2 hr. daily event for us. His most cherrished moments are those spent with his daddy helping him with his "Dentist" stuff. Even if he just get's to hold the garbage scraps, he is in his own little heaven. He and Mom are working on his learning to ride a bike. Loves plants, seeds, leaves, flowers, and all types of unique animals and bugs...as long as he doesn't have to touch them. Joey is a very curious, smart, sensitive and thoughtful, snuggly big boy. He is so wise and kind beyond his years. He is very special to our family.

Dax

Dax is a constant form of entertainment and love now that he is the big 3. Loves anything his brother has or does, Diego, Sponge Bob, Spiderman, Monster trucks, reading books and playing games. He strangely likes running and jumping on the scale (he calls this exercizing). Anything to do with the movies, Carsor Diego. Dancing with mom and Lola, and to Daddy playing Guitar Hero or Rock Band. His woobie and meow, meows, "sausage" (it's really tofu patties!), all types of berries, waffles with sprinkles and taquitos. He takes a tumbling class at the community center once a week and also does a swim class on Saturdays with Mom. Also loves the kids club that he and Lola go to when mommy goes to the gym. We can now proudly say he is officially POTTY TRAINED!!!!!!!!!!!!

Lola

Now that she is 23 months old, she likes to clap and wave, give high 5's, and sing. She is now WALKING, and can even go down the stairs herself. If she doesn't like something or want it anymore she shows you by throwing it to the side faster than you would know! She loves music! She will wiggle, SNAP and wave her arms around, she sings her own songs when the music stops. She pulls her own hair clips and bows out, as well as others faces and hair! Likes all "big kid" toys, electronics (especially phones!), cords and anything that makes noise or lights up. She loves books, and turns the pages very well! I have been teaching her "girly" things like holding a purse and putting stuff in it. Make up, and brushing hair. She said her first word around 12 months-"Da-da!" Lola also says MOM, MOMMY, DAX, JOEY, UP, NIGHT-NIGHT, HI, BYE, EAT, MORE, CRACKER, COOKIE, DRINK, CUP, STEP, BUBBIES (Dax), AHH-OOH, BABY<>14 teeth now, 5 of which are molars. She's SO super flexible yet strong. She still does her "ballerina pose" where she grabs her left foot with her right hand and won't let go. Her ultimate favorite thing on this planet is the show "YO GABBA GABBA" and anything to do with it! She's so sweet! A very snuggly, happy and heart capturing, growing up too fast, little girl.

*One day at the store, a produce clerk told me Lola had the eyes of the Virgin Mary. I think that was a unique comment!