Sunday, June 20, 2010

Mt Rushmore Memorial Day

For Memorial Day and the day after a couple friends and I decided to go see Mount Rushmore. We left Monday night and came back Tuesday night. Now a few people told me I was crazy to plan a trip to Mt Rushmore as a "day trip," but they didn't realize that the national monument is only five hours away! South Dakota is just beautiful too, and just imagine driving around the corner and seeing this carved into the mountain.


Beautiful isn't it? We were more than a little surprised to see it from the road like that, so of course we pulled over and started snapping photos right then and there. Who needs to pay $10 to get into the park when you can just take photos out your window?

Well we went inside the park anyway. :)

Tabi and Tim standing in awe!

She must be so strong to hold it up!


All the flags down the walkway were pretty cool.

Me with the Presidents.

Me and Tabi, trying to stay dry in the rain.

We also went to see the Crazy Horse Memorial which is still under construction. When it was started, they estimated it would take 100 years to construct, but it has already been 50 years and it is not even close. They only take private donations and proceeds from visitors to the park, so that is probably why it is taking so long. It was pretty cool to see it, if only from a distance.

You might not be able to tell, but eventually this will be a Native American, Crazy Horse, riding on a horse and pointing with his finger. Like I said, it's so far from being completed, I doubt it will be done in my lifetime. It is a huge monument too. The presidents at Mt Rushmore could fit just in Crazy Horse's head.

Here is the model of what it is supposed to look like someday, and in the background you can see the current rock. I'm not saying they haven't made considerable progress, but there is a LOT more to be done. It will look awesome.

A picture of the front and face of Crazy Horse.

The monument is to be built to honor Native American heritage, and will be a national park someday with iyas their tribute. It seems to me like an answer to Mt Rushmore, to show the real heritage of the United States, and they won't take any proceeds the government offers to help pay for it. If they would, then the construction would probably go much faster. It's pretty expensive to get into the park too, and much more to take a tram up to see the face up close. We opted out of the tram ride.

All in all it was a great trip, although short lived. I would definitely recommend taking a weekend and visiting these monuments. And remember, if you live in Fort Collins or Greeley or the surrounding area, it is only about a 5 hour car drive and well worth it!

Thursday, June 3, 2010

A New Beginning: Jon's Graduation, New Job, New House, Mal Starts Graduate School (Crazy Update Post #3)

It's official people! Jonathan has graduated from Colorado State University, with a ton of crazy honors, tassels, cords, stoles and other stuff! :D And here's the evidence to prove it!!!
Just look at that smirk!

Me and Mom admiring the BLING!

Moriah did an AWESOME job of decorating cupcakes for the party!

And Jon showing off his suit while I get to wear all the bling I helped him earn!
(I say that a little humorously, I didn't do much, but I hope I was very supportive at least!)

Joking aside, I just want to take a moment to share how proud I am of my husband. Since we've been married he's taken at least 21 credits a semester (including summer semester) and has worked so very hard to get where he is today, to graduate a little earlier than we thought possible and to land an amazing job in Wichita Kansas. That's right, Kansas. Jon moved out there the day after he graduated, and I'll be joining him in December.

The company he now works for is called Cargill. He works in the Meat Packing division called "Case Ready" as a Supply Chain Analyst. Since I talk to him EVERY DAY I know how much he loves his job and I am so proud of him. He truly is the motivated hardworking amazingly spiritual man that I married almost two years ago, and I love him so much. Can't wait to be with him in our NEW HOUSE!

Isn't it great! For more pictures see the facebook album "There's No Place Like Home" And no it is not a rental. We actually did buy a house and it is perfect!

In other news, that Monday I started my graduate degree at the University of Northern Colorado and will be getting licensure in Elementary Education, and later on a Masters degree. The last month or so has been a little crazy, but it's been worth it. I absolutely love my program and my classmates and while it's been hard to be away from Jon, I know this is what I need to be doing, so that I can be a teacher! YAY!

Wish us luck as we embark on this new journey and new beginnings!