A road trip to Wisconsin

I took off Friday and Makai and I went on a road trip to Wisconsin. img_1853.jpg

Our first stop was in the Bayview neighborhood of Milwaukee where we met up with Amanda for breakfast at HoneyPie.img_1868.jpgimg_1869.jpgBayview seemed like a young, trendy part of Milwaukee with a lot of cool bars, restaurants and shops. img_1855.jpg Amanda and I both had the pork belly benedict. Makai had eggs and toast with their house-made jam. He liked it. Can you tell?img_1858.jpgimg_1861.jpgimg_1973.jpgIn the bathroom they had a ton of intricate needlepoints that I’m sure were thrifted. img_1866.jpgimg_1865.jpgMom was at work when we arrived in Greenville. I was kind of tired from driving so I laid down for a while and dad and Makai made a snowman with the little snow that was on the ground. This was Makai’s first snowman. When I asked him the snowman’s name he said “FROSTY!”img_1874.jpgMy dad made beef stew and we brought it over to my Aunt Ali’s house. We visited for a long time with her, my cousin Skyonna, and one of Ali’s friends. Makai brought his A game and was singing and dancing and tumbling and showing off, in general. img_1899.jpgimg_1898.jpgMakai loved playing with Katrina, Ciara, and Skyonna’s old toys and especially loved playing with Tucker and Ahmi, Aunt Ali’s dogs as well. At the end we got to say hi to Uncle Dave just for a few minutes when he arrived home from work.img_1877.jpgimg_1878.jpgWhile we visited we didn’t realize that it was a blizzard outside. For hours! I drove all the way home going only 25 mph because I couldn’t even see where the roads were!img_1963.jpgMakai liked watching dad use the snowblower the next morning. And Frosty looked like he gained some weight!img_1901.jpg

The whole reason we came up for the visit was to see Daniel Tiger Live. It showed in Madison, Milwaukee, and Appleton, but not Chicago! Makai was so excited to see the “concert” even though he had no idea what it was. He was talking about it nonstop at school before we left. We told him he would be seeing the REAL Daniel Tiger, not the cartoon!img_1903.jpgI had never been to the Fox Cities Performing Arts Center (PAC) before. It was really good. The lobby areas were bright and sunny. The theater was comfortable and nice. Big but not huge.img_1910.jpg img_1914.jpgThere were a number of activities for the kids to participate in before the show. We took our photos by Daniel and the trolley, there were coloring and sticker activities where you could make a crown, and there was dancing and singing to Daniel Tiger’s Neighborhood songs.img_1919.jpgI wasn’t sure about the balcony seats we got. I wasn’t sure if they would be too far from the stage and therefor not engaging for a 2-year-old. He was way into it, though. Sitting on the edge of his seat and singing along to the songs he knew!img_1940.jpgFunny thing, when we got to our seats I heard someone say my name and it was an old friend I haven’t seen for probably 15 years or more. Married and with a kid!

This is what the show looked like. This is not my photo, just one I found online: img_1974.jpg After the show we met up with Aunt Connie, Kelly and Katie for lunch at Red Robin in Darboy. Aunt Connie asked Makai, “do you like cookies? What is your favorite kind?” Makai said “Chocolate!” and she said “You’re in luck! I made chocolate chocolate chip cookies this morning!” So we went over to visit with her and Aunt Sue for several hours!img_1954.jpgBy the afternoon the snow was melting. Here’s a frosty update.img_2151.jpgAnd on the day we left:img_1985.jpg

Happy 60th Birthday, Mom!

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For my dad’s 60th birthday we had a great big party and invited everyone he knew. When it came time to plan something for my mom’s 60th birthday, my dad knew she didn’t want a big party, so he asked if we’d come up to their house and surprise her. And surprised, she was!

In the early afternoon we pulled into my parent’s subdivision in Greenville, WI and saw them walking the dogs. My dad was trying to distract my mom so she wouldn’t see us, but Dallas stopped the car and rolled the window down. My mom responded by automatically saying “HI!” before realizing who she was looking at and talking to. She was shocked! We drove on and pulled in to the driveway while my parents made their way back to the house. Moments later my brother and his family pulled up for another surprise!

We didn’t do anything crazy, but spend time hanging out and went to a nice dinner at Stone Yard. The very memorable part was due to Makai. We stopped for lunch not the way to Wisconsin and he got car sick in a McDonald’s. Well, we thought it was car sickness. He acted totally fine afterwards and all afternoon, so we all went out for dinner, where Makai performed some kind of Exorcist projectile vomiting reenactment all over my mom. Happy birthday, Grandma!

A Wisconsin Barbecue and Family Reunion

This was the third year in a row that we have gone up to Wisconsin to visit my parents and see all of our family up there. The first year, 2013, I was pregnant and hadn’t seen a lot of my family for years. The second year, 2014, Makai was a baby and I got to introduce him to everyone. This year Makai was old enough to run around with the kids and that was a lot of fun too.

I had fun seeing everyone and it was nice to be at my parent’s house in the country, which is not really the country, but is the country compared to where we live! I realized how much I miss open windows. Especially at night and in the early morning. Makai loved running in the grass barefoot, playing with (and riding) the dogs, picking and eating tomatoes from the vine with papa, and just being outside a ton.

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Dad and Dallas manning the grill.

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Dad grilled hot dogs, beer brats, and hamburgers. Dallas made a 10-pound pork roast!

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Typical WI BBQ coolers.

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To all the beers I’ve loved before..

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Jess stayed with my parents for two weeks before the party and made these cookies.

As with the previous years, the kids went wild for the frogs in the back ditch! This year Makai was in there with them. Tessa was so nice about leading him by the hand and letting him pet the frogs they captured.

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Frog Crossing!

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Kids on the bridge looking for frogs – Brianna, my cousin’s daughter is in red. PJ (standing) is a friend of my cousin Kelly’s daughter, Tessa.

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Makai with Tessa (my cousin Kelly’s daughter). Charlotte (raising her hand) is Kelly’s as well. PJ is Tessa’s friend. Penny and Sam are my cousin Tiffany’s kids.

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From the bottom: Makai, my niece Jessica, Charlotte & Tessa (my cousin Kelly’s), PJ is Tessa’s friend, Margo is also Kelly’s, Penny is my cousin Tiffany’s, Brianna is my cousin Melissa’s.

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FROGS!

It was great to see so many of my aunts, uncles, cousins, cousin’s kids, etc!

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My cousin Katrina with her parents, Ali and Dave, and her boyfriend, Gaylin.

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Aunt Deb, Uncle Mike, Uncle Morey, Aunt Connie

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My cousin Bethany’s husband, Chad, my Uncle Rich, my cousin Amanda’s husband Phil. Makai really enjoyed rubbing Phil’s shaved head. A lot. For a very long time. An uncomfortable amount of time!

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Katie is my cousin Kelly’s daughter. No, my older cousin Kelly! Elizabeth is my cousin Molly’s daughter. Nic (with girlfriend Brenna) is Katie’s brother.

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My cousin Anna’s daughter, Brianne, and my niece, Stephanie.

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Margo is my younger cousin Kelly’s daughter. She’s pictured with her grandma, my Aunt Sue.

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My cousin Melissa with her boyfriend, Aunt Ali, Aunt Connie, Aunt Deb, Uncle Morey, sidewalk chalk, Makai.

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My niece Stephanie with her dog, Milo.

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Dallas, my cousin Kelly with her husband Jeff, Uncle Dave and his daughter, my cousin, Katrina and her boyfriend Gaylin.

Now it’s time for some family selfies!

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Cousin Kelly, Me, Aunt Ali

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Me and Kelly. It was so great to spend the day with her and her family. I miss them! And so fun to see Makai play with her girls!

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Me and my Aunt Ali

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Me and my Aunt Sue

Some other photos from the weekend in Wisconsin:

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My mom with Makai and Buddy by the pond in their subdivision.

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When in Wisconsin: New Glarus Spotted Cow + Friday Fish Fry!

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Makai walking Buddy.

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Buddy stretching out and relaxing on the patio.

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Milo and Dakoda in the garage, begging to come back inside.

A Barbecue and Family Reunion in Wisconsin

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Last year we had so much fun in Wisconsin barbecuing and catching up with family, that we did it again this year. Last year, I was 7 months pregnant and it was fun this year to finally introduce everyone to Makai. He had so much fun playing and visiting with all his cousins and aunties and uncles that he missed his afternoon naps and stayed up right till his bed time at 8 p.m. Makai was especially loving Kiara, who is one month older than him; chilling out by Dustin; and playing with Tessa, Charlotte and Margo.

I had fun seeing everyone too and it was nice to be at my parent’s house in the country, which is not really the country, but is the country compared to where we live!

Also, I had never seen this version of 312 before, even though Goose Island beer is made in Chicago and is everywhere here:

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A Wisconsin Barbecue and Family Reunion

Dallas and I, along with my brother and his family, headed up to my parent’s house in Greenville for the weekend. While we were all visiting, my parents invited all of our relatives over for a huge barbecue. I hadn’t seen a lot of people for years and surprisingly, many of them hadn’t seen each other for as long, as well. Six of my mom’s seven siblings were able to attend, as well as a ton of my cousins, cousin’s kids and a good amount of family on my dad’s side, too.

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My mom playing bags with Fiona, my cousin Sara’s daughter.

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They were playing against my niece Jessica and Fiona’s twin sister, Elise.

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Hmmmm… can I name everyone? 🙂 On the patio: Aunt Deb, Aunt Connie, Aunt Sue, Aunt Wanda, Aunt Paula, Aunt Ali, Uncle Dan, Uncle Dave. On the lawn: Cousin Bill and his wife Karen, Cousin Kacey, Kacey’s son Dustin, Double(!) Cousin Anna and her boyfriend Andy. (Photo by Bethany.)

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And again! Uncle Rich, Cousin Amanda, Me, My cousin Bethany’s husband Chad, Cousin Erica and her husband Greg, Dallas, Richard, Mom, Uncle Doug, Uncle Morrie, Aunt Deb, Aunt Connie, Karen. (Photo by Bethany.)

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My Uncle Dan and my mom contemplating life by the corn field.

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Me and Dallas (29 weeks pregnant). (Photo by Sue.)

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Doug and Dallas were talking about who knows what forever. Something that was “yay big,” I guess.

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Richard hiding in the bushes.

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Aunt Sue and Aunt Paula. (Photo by Sue? Probably Aunt Connie or Wanda!.)

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All of my cousin’s kids had a great time playing in the little stream/ditch in the way back yard. This is my Aunt Deb, Cousin Amanda, and Niece Jessica with Noah, Oliver, Ella, Brianna, Elise and Fiona.

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There were a bunch of frogs in there and the kids were going crazy catching them!! These were all of my cousin’s kids: Sierra, Brianna, Elise, Noah, Brianna (there are 2! Actually, 3 if you count Brianne, who wasn’t there.), Ella, Collin, Fiona, Keegan, Oliver.


Richard & Dad.

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Cousin Amanda and her husband Phil chatting with Uncle Doug.

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Dallas was joking that you know you’re in Wisconsin when you see this many crock pots lined up! Also when you designate which sausage is “skinless”?

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My niece Stephanie and my cousin Skyonna are just about the same age. I think Skyonna is 16 and Steph is 17. (Photo by Sue.)

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Dad and my Uncle Dave. (Photo by Sue.)

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Aunt Deb, Uncle Doug, Mom, Aunt Connie. (Photo by Sue.)

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Keegan and his brother Collin are my cousin Anna’s boys. They’re twins, and so are my cousin Sara’s daughters, Fiona and Elise. Keegan and Dallas played this washer toss game many times and Keegan won most games. The 10 beers Dallas had by that point kind of leveled the playing field!

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My Uncle Dan playing bags.

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Spot the frogs on Bethany. Now you now what those kids were doing when they caught them! (Photo by Erica.)

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The kids went crazy when the ice cream truck van showed up.

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Cousin Amanda with my cousin Erica’s kids, Ella and Oliver. My cousin Bethany’s kids Brianna and Noah. My Uncle Rich and Cousin Bethany. (Photo by Erica.)

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Uncle Rich and his granddaughter Ella. (Photo by Erica.)

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Cousin Bill started up a fire in the pit. (Photo by Bethany.)

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The kids started roasting marshmallows right away!

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My dad made this pit earlier in the summer. It turned out really nice. (Photo by Bethany.)

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Everyone gathered around. (Photo by Sue.)

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Sadie and Jess enjoying some s’mores.

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People stayed and visited well past dark…

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.. but left before Dallas, Richard and my dad got all pyro on it. Apples?

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Jess was having a hard time roasting marshmallows with Milo and Dakoda trying to bite the end of her stick.

I was pretty sore from the long drive two days in a row, but it was totally worth it to see everyone. Hopefully we can do it again next summer and it won’t be YEARS before everyone sees each other again!

Wisconsin Weekend

Over the weekend Dallas and I drove up to Wisconsin for a visit. We arrived in the early afternoon and spent some time out in the back yard where the weather was perfect. My mom and I ran to a store nearby called the Bulk-Priced Food Shoppe. She loves to go and look around, even if she doesn’t buy anything, and I can totally see why. They had such a variety of food and it was all so reasonably priced! Everything from nuts to different flavored sea salts to pastas shaped like anything you can imagine, candy, cake decorating supplies, dips, cheeses… the list goes on and on. I bought a few things, but could have gone totally crazy.

Later on my cousin Kelly and Mark came over and we had a barbecue. Mark brought some sausage his friend gave him and one of the meats was llama! It pretty much tasted like any other sausage, but now I can say I ate llama. Then we headed out for a Wisconsin Timber Rattlers game, like we did last year. They played the Peoria Chiefs and it was a fun game even though the Rattlers totally got spanked.

In the morning we had brunch at Apple City in Appleton. This place is located next to an retirement development and has a ton of senior specials, so if you want to feel really young, go eat there! I didn’t care for the coffee, but my omelette was good.

Before we knew it, not even 24 hours later, we were back on the road. Goes by fast! Thanks for the great weekend, mom & dad!