The rundown on our trip

I'm trying to figure out how to do a brief summary of a 3 week trip.... Let's just say this - we had a great time visiting family and friends and are so glad we did it the way we did. All of us traveled to Rapid City and stayed with Tim & Margaret, where we got to catch up with Ollie and Maia too. I love it when we all get together! After Michael & Cristina's wedding, Seth headed home to work for a week while Ella and I stayed on in Rapid, getting spoiled by Tim and Margaret...otherwise known as Papa and Papa (Ella hasn't managed to say Grandma yet). We hung out by the pool, went to 3 different lakes, played at Storybook Island, went out to eat - a lot, and overall got to take it easy and have a lot of fun.

After hanging out in Rapid City for a week or so, Tim, Margaret, Ella and I got in the car and headed to Minneapolis, where Seth met up with us. Seth's brother Oliver has a wonderful apartment in a really cool area of town, and we were able to stay with him a couple nights while he showed us around. From Minneapolis, we headed to St. Cloud, and more specifically, Bowlus MN for our friend Dan's wedding. After one last night in Minneapolis, we headed home. Thanks to Tim, Margaret, Ollie, and various hotels for the hospitality! Some of the pics below will help give you an idea of what we were up to....

Arriving at Storybook Island - Seth, Ella, Margaret and Maia

Dancing onstage after one of the plays put on at Storybook Island

Ella and the McKinstry Men

I love this picture! Ella loved posing for this one with her Auntie Maia!!

Motorcycles take over Rapid City in early August because of the Rally in Sturgis, SD.

Tim & Margaret have a brand new home in Rapid - it's gorgeous! Ella loved it, especially running up and down the driveway.

Grandpa/Ella/Grandma at the beach at Angistora

Walking in the sand at Sheridan Lake

Building (and destroying) sand castles

Friends Bianca and Ryan flew to Rapid for Michael's wedding. So much fun to see them and show them around a bit.

Uncle Oliver with Ella in the sculpture park in Minneapolis

Anyone watch Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives? This was a recommendation in Minneapolis and it was a hit with all of us - yum!

Dan and Ann after the I Do's

Groomsmen - Seth/Michael/Lon and Ian

Seth and Ollie