For the second (or third) year in a row, July is our vacation month. The kids and I flew up to Wisconsin on the 3rd to stay with my parents for two weeks. I knew it would be easier and more relaxing to see everyone if we didn't cram it into just one week. The kids were so excited to have a 2-week-long slumber party at Grandma and Grandpa's house!
killing time in the airport
ready for take-off!
We had a fairly long layover in Chicago, so the kids stretched out after we ate lunch. No sleeping took place, but at least they could stretch their legs!
Meanwhile, Andrew was taking a 22-hour road trip with Garcia up to the NY/Canadian border! We found a deal we couldn't refuse on a '92 Airstream trailer, so Andrew drove up to pick up our new "toy". He would occasionally send pictures of how Garcia was doing on the trip.
Grandma and Harper got crafty and made some bracelets.
Ryder had fun playing with Grandpa's Kwik Trip semi-truck.
On the 4th, my sister arrived with Parker and Madelynn. They stayed with us for three nights, so the cousins had lots of time to get reacquainted and enjoy each other's company.
Parker and Ryder did a lot of sword-fighting in Grandpa's soft grass.
Madelynn knew exactly what to do with the rocket launcher!
We checked into a hotel at Riverfront with the intention of watching the annual firework show over the water that night. Mother Nature had other plans though--it rained and stormed so hard that the fireworks were postponed. We still enjoyed dinner in the hotel restaurant, a walk by the river, and swimming in the hotel pool before crashing for the night.
Cute cousins! Madelynn is a runner, so one of the big kids would hold her hand at all times. Ha!
a view from our hotel window at sunset...minus the fireworks 😢
Harper was trying to teach Madelynn how to play her Frozen Trouble game. She was very patient as Madelynn just wanted to move pieces around and organize them by color.
Late at night on the 4th, Andrew sent me these pictures to show that he had safely arrived at our Airstream! Garcia was happy to try out the couch.
After checking out of the hotel the next morning, we headed to one of the kids' favorite playgrounds so they could run off some pent-up-in-a-hotel-room energy. :)
looking cool in their red, white, and blue sunglasses from Grandma and Grandpa
We had one "cooler" evening, so we made s'mores outside over the fire pit.
One night after baths, all 4 kids climbed onto Grandpa's lap for a bedtime story. I think the chair reached its weight limit!
I caught Madelynn at a rare moment--lying still! 😉
slip and slide fun with Grandpa! No, he didn't slide, but he was a great supervisor!
Harper introduced Parker to the game of Qwirkle!
Out to eat one night, Harper was drawing a picture of Grandma. She got silly and made huge monkey ears and a tail, which cracked her up!🐒
Last Sunday we headed to Clinton for a couple of days to visit Great-Grandma, Lynn, Greg, and Terry. The kids and I stayed with Lynn and Greg, and the kids enjoyed having two dogs to love on. We played lots of games, went to a few playgrounds, and visited my Uncle Steve's car shop so Ryder could see the cool old cars.
Annie sat in the way back for part of the drive, helping Harper with a word search...
...and watching Ryder do a dot-to-dot.
Harper learned how to play Battleship with Aunt Lynn.
We made another trip up to Eagle Point Park and climbed the castle again. Then we finally found a bar that Harper could do flips over. She learned how to do them at gymnastics camp and hadn't been able to show us yet!
Look closely! Ryder and Harper are the little heads at the very top!
Checking out the Mississippi River and all of the lily pads near the banks.
After Eagle Point, we went to Riverfront Park. It has changed a lot over the years, and there is so much equipment now for the kids to climb on. Their favorite part was the zip line!
Harper on the zipline
Ryder on the zipline
Lynn and Ryder waved at a train that came by while we were playing. Talk about perfect timing!
Harper kept her distance and even covered her ears because the train was so loud.
My Uncle Steve repairs and restores old Mercedes, so we made sure to stop by his shop for our little car fanatic. Boy, was Ryder in heaven!
We got to peek into one of the car-painting booths and check out all of the paint colors and equipment.
Steve built this car from the ground up, so he's not selling it! The kids and I felt honored to get to sit in it, and Mom wiped our fingerprints off the door when we were done. Ha!
Lynn's dog Webster loves to snuggle, so he was my little buddy one evening. :)
On our way out of town, we stopped at Eagle Point one last time so Harper could flip again over the bar. I captured it on video this time! We then drove to my sister's house (the halfway point) so the kids could play some more, and they fed us a yummy spaghetti dinner before we drove the rest of the way to Grandma and Grandpa's house.
big baby in a swing :)
Harper was worn out!
Grandma pushed Ryder, Harper, and Parker on the merry-go-round.
Once Andrew reached the Airstream, the hard work began. He took new tires, brake assemblies, and hoses with him to replace what was there. The camper really hadn't been pulled any distance over the past 14 years, so we wanted to make sure everything was in the best shape possible before he began his cross-country trip. He finished his repairs, left NY state, and two days later arrived here in WI. The kids were sure excited to see Daddy and Garcia!
Garcia's favorite seat in the house
trash and old tires--the hard work is done!
Garcia met a poodle named Sheba, who became his campground buddy. :)
Andrew sent this picture from a rest area right after he crossed into WI. The truck and trailer are as long as a semi truck!
He made it!
Annie and Garcia met for the first time. The dogs get along fine, but "Old Lady Annie" makes sure to let Garcia know from time to time that she is the Queen of this domain.
Garcia also met Molly, who lives down the street and does daily walks past Grandma and Grandpa's house.
Awww...together again!
Garcia was quick to find a comfy "perch" at Grandma and Grandpa's house!
We rode over to a local campground one afternoon to empty out our septic tank. Apparently the campground office also sells some specialty items, because Andrew brought the kids some "turtle poop" to try.
Harper's bed in the camper
lunch with Grandma and Mommy
Harper really wanted to go to the fabric store and pick out a pattern and some material for Grandma to make her a dress. So we did! Grandma gave Harper some scraps to practice cutting on while she cut out the pattern.
Harper's beautiful new dress!
Dave and Jenny drove over after work on Friday to spend Friday night and Saturday with us. Usually when we get together it is with our entire family, so we don't get a lot of time to visit and just hang out. It was so fun to watch them interact with the kids, and we even got some kid-free time with them because Grandma and Grandpa kept Ryder and Harper on Saturday so we could disappear for a little while. Dave and Jenny always have their guitars with them, so we enjoyed a private concert before they left Saturday evening.
being silly with Uncle Dave
grabbing a drink together downtown
Our little gymnast has been practicing headstands CONSTANTLY and is even able to balance for a little while without using the chair.
playing Aunt Jenny's guitar
a private guitar lesson with Uncle Dave
love for Annie 😍
One night when my mom told Annie it was time for bed, Garcia followed them right into my parents' room and made himself comfortable. Ha!
Pop-tarts on the deck
While Andrew and I went to the grocery and hardware stores to get ready for our journey home, the kids enjoyed some Grandma and Grandpa time. They went up to Granddad's Bluff (a favorite!), got lunch at the "Happy Meal Store", and ended with a smoothie from Kwik Trip. We got back to the house and found them happily running through the sprinkler while the dogs watched from the front porch.
"I'll take a break from hopscotch to watch my kids play."
