The Trip Home

Amazingly we all got up early and made it to the airport just on time the morning after the wedding. We made it all the way home without any major hiccups.

All buckled in and ready to go

Practicing buckling his seat belt (mid-flight, when the seat belt sign was off)

Reading a book

Matt fell asleep near the end of our first flight of the day, although he would wake up not long after we deplaned.

Zonked out kid

Awake for a ride on the Skylink "choo choo" between terminals

Our second flight of the day was our longest flight of the trip, just over three hours. Luckily Matt fell asleep for the second half of it, because that was a long time to be on a plane!

Taking a nap in his seat

We had a good trip overall, with Matt doing very well in the many new environments and situations. But we're glad to be home!

August 2015 Trip Day 6

Our sixth day centered around the wedding of Matt's Uncle Ben to Dawn. Matt had the morning off from wedding preparations, however. While I went with the bridal party to have my hair done, Jon took him to watch some construction trucks and to ride the train one more time at Storybook Island.

Choo choo! Once again, Matt chose the yellow car.

Watching the digger load up the dump truck

We were able to get in his normal nap, thanks to his busy morning, so he was in a pretty good mood for the wedding.

Matt did very well in his role as (honorary) ring bearer. He posed somewhat willingly for photos, made it through the entire Mass and wedding ceremony, and was the life of the party at the reception. Thanks to a constant stream of attention and food, including a number of sweet goodies and plenty of ham, he was still going strong when we left.

The ring bearer getting his boutonniere

Dawn, the bride, posing with (from right to left) Matt's Aunt Ane, Anneliese and her niece Brigitte, relatives from Austria, and Matt's Aunt Karina.

The groom, Matt's Uncle Ben, getting in a pre-ceremony foosball game with Joey, Matt's Uncle Vic, and Ashok

Matt going for a little walk with Grandpa and Daddy before the ceremony

Taking a stroll with Daddy before the ceremony (photo courtesy of Matt's Aunt Karina)

Matt riding in the wagon with the flower girl (photo courtesy of Sally Rall)

Matt processing out in the wagon (photo courtesy of Sally Rall)

Matt with the parents of the groom after the ceremony (photo courtesy of Sally Rall)

Jon and I in the limo with the wedding party (photo courtesy of Ane)

The wedding party

The wedding party, relieved the ceremony went so well and ready for the reception

Matt with Grandma, enjoying the first of many cookies at the reception

The bride and groom cutting the cake

Matt vs. cupcake: before and after

Matt on the dance floor with the wedding party

Matt trying to steal the wedding party's show on the dance floor

Taking a quiet moment during the festivities of the reception

The wedding photographer, Claussen Photography, posted a preview of the professional shots here (on Facebook), including two great shots of Matt, one in his full suit before the wedding and one of him partying at the reception.

August 2015 Trip Day 5

On Day 5 we did a little sight-seeing in the morning before the wedding preparations began in earnest that afternoon.

For our morning excursion we went to Mount Rushmore.

Riding on Daddy's shoulders  

With clear blue skies, it was easy to get a good shot of the monument.

Matt was unimpressed, however.

Walking along the boardwalk at the base of the mountain

Studying the vein in the rock

Posing with Mama

Even the sight of a B2 bomber circling the sculpture failed to impress Matt

That afternoon we attended the rehearsal for the wedding before sitting down to a delicious rehearsal dinner hosted by the parents of the groom. Matt enjoyed sampling the many dishes, especially the whipped cream on the strawberry shortcake.

A family shot (photo courtesy of Matt's Aunt Ane)

August 2015 Trip Day 4

On day 4 we were back to looking at animals, both the domesticated and the wild.

In the morning, while Jon waited to see if the guys were picking up their tuxes, Matt and I went to Old MacDonald's Farm, a petting zoo with the usual barnyard assortment (goats, sheep, cows, horses,  donkeys and mules, pigs, rabbits, chickens, ducks, geese, and turkeys) and a few unusual additions (yaks and llamas). Matt enjoyed it, although he wasn't all that interested in petting the animals and liked the idea of feeding the animals more than he actually liked them eating out of his hand. Overall he was not as impressed with the experience as he was with Bear Country and Reptile Gardens two days before, perhaps because we go to so many places with goats, sheep, etc. However, the trip was worth it because Matt went on his first pony ride and got to ride another "train."

Watching the calves get bottle fed

Feeding the pigs

Watching the horses eat hay

First horse ride - looks like it was a hit!

Feeding the fish (his favorite animals to feed)

Feeding the sheep

Watching the pig race

Saying hello to the bunnies (who weren't all that interested in saying hello back)

Train ride all by himself!

The super serious passenger helping to steer the train (I told him to focus on driving so he wouldn't notice I wasn't with him.)

Whee! Pulling back into the station

Watching the many birds - ducks, geese, chickens, and turkeys

When we finished, Jon joined us and we attempted to head out to Custer State Park one more time. After a few hiccups we made it, and it was worth the wait. We saw pronghorn antelope, lots and lots of buffalo (or bison), donkeys, prairie dogs, and wild turkeys.

Checking out the touch & feel table at the visitor center - Matt would remember that we looked at the buffalo jawbone with teeth later

First glimpse of buffalo

Playing peek-a-boo with my hat while we watched the buffalo amble across the road

We followed the rest of the herd for a while.

Traffic jams look a little different out here!

Matt got to watch the buffalo once they turned back

We figured out they were moving back and forth between shade by a creek and a pool perfect for a dip on a hot summer's day.

Some of the buffalo came very, very close to the car - needless to say we stayed inside our vehicle!

Donkeys looking for a treat

Matt and Jon saying hi to the donkeys

Looking at the pronghorn antelope in the tall grass

A worn out kid

Jon and Matt dropped me off for a manicure and pedicure with the bridal party. They stopped to have a little fun in the mall.

A little bull riding

Then they headed home to play games with the boys (Jon) and play tug-of-war with the dogs (Matt). Matt was in a great mood, despite a short nap, and impressed everyone with his ability to name the little dog and big dog.

At last, some peace and quiet for Batman with a little reading before bed