A Novel

Firstly, we are finally settled in Hot Springs! Kevin loves working for the Park Service. He likes this area way more than I do. I still have not fallen in love with South Dakota. I miss Colorado very much. The Black Hills area where we are isn't that bad, except that our new town of Hot Springs is sort of a depressed town. Speaking of our new town, in August we moved from Custer to Hot Springs. Hot Springs is larger and slightly less touristy, and a large part of the population of the town is disabled and retired veterans, as there is a State Vets home and a V.A. Hospital (the biggest employer in the area). Our new house is super tiny but has a rent to match, so that is the reason we moved here. We've just had to get really creative with our space. For instance, our bedroom is in the basement, which was quite nice when we were hitting 100+ degrees at the end of August. However, the place is still a disorganized mess since we have not had time to keep up with the mess the girls leave behind. Which brings me to my next point...

I have gone back to work full time as a teller for Wells Fargo. I won't spend a lot of time telling you about my feelings for the job since this is a public blog. The biggest complaint I have is that I am out of the house for over 45 hours a week. My days are long and exhausting, and I really miss being a stay at home mom. We're usually up by 6:15am and home by 5:30pm. After dinner, cleanup, and bedtime, I finally get a chance to sit down at 8pm. Kevin works 10 hour days so gets Fridays off with the girls, which means they are in day care only 4 days a week. They really love it but the day care situation here is pretty horrible. It's cheap, and I truly believe you pay for what you get, meaning little outside time, lots of crummy food and more TV time than I like. But they love going and love their friends there.

Finally some photos:



Wearing Mommy's shoes.





This photo is so typical: Elise trying to steal Linnaea's treats.





On a hike at Wind Cave National Park.





At our very first theatre movie, Toy Story 3. We loved it! The popcorn and fruit punch was the best. Getting there in time to sit in the second row was a pain in the neck, literally.





Sitting at the parade in Custer.





Daddy and the girls waiting for some candy. The competition was fierce as kids tried to scramble for the the candy thrown from the floats. Daddy had to help fend off the other kids so we could get some.





Making silly faces.





Chilling at our new home. We finally got to set up our hammock again after almost 2 years.





The waterfall in downtown Hot Springs.





At Fall River. It's fed by a hot spring (hence the town name Hot Springs) and the water was really warm even though it was cold that day (Labor Day).





Some more naturally hot water. Apparently this is one of 180 hot springs in the area.