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After an overnight stop to see friends in Illinois, we arrived safely in Minnesota Friday night. The boys have been having a great time getting reacquainted with Grandma and Grandpa Prechel. We've gotten to spend time out at my brother's place and visiting my grandma (my grandpa is a trucker and it currently out on the road). So far, it's been full of some great family time! The boys have also gotten to experience a ride on a tractor and are really looking forward to a semi ride later this week after my grandpa pulls back in to town.

Our trip is really split into two different parts:  part one is all this fabulous family time. Part two commences tomorrow morning when John and I leave the kids with the grandparents for a few days to head out to the Black Hills in South Dakota. Don't get me wrong; there is a whole lot that I love about living in Richmond. But over the past few years I've discovered that there is definite benefit to having family nearby. One of those perks would be occasional nights away from the kids. We are so grateful for this opportunity to have a little mini-vacation within our vacation. My mom has some super fun activities planned for the boys and we are looking forward to being tourists around Mt. Rushmore. What a treat!

Getting ready for the big moment that they have been looking forward to for months!

 John and my dad climbed into the bucket of the tractor to ride along and capture some moments as they happened.

A bonfire complete with sparklers and smores capped off the day spent at my brother's house

Cousins!

 Four generations