Family Reunion in Neenah, WI

Dallas had to work, but Makai and I headed to Wisconsin on a Friday afternoon. On Saturday we had a big family reunion. My mom and dad spearheaded it and reserved a pavillion at Schildt Park. They made the meat and everyone else brought sides and desserts. It turned out great and everyone had a fun time!

 Aunt Connie + Riverlyn

 Juniper, Mom, Aunt Connie

 Riverlyn + Margo

 Riverlyn + Makai

 Riverlyn

Annaleigha + Riverlynn

Annaleigha

 Margo, Makai, Riverlynn

 Pat + Kelly

 Collin, Sabrina, Richard, Jill, Keegan

 Riverlynn, Katrina, Mom

 Uncle Rich + Ella

 Aunt Deb + Erica

 Uncle Steve, Kacey, Sierra

 Aunt Wanda, Aunt Connie, Molly

 Phil + Amanda

 Dawn, Annaleigha, Miranda

 Peter, Uncle Dave, Juniper

 Dad, Kelly, Mark

 Riverlynn, Katrina, Ciara, Skyonna, Juniper

 Phil, Amanda, Bethany, Brianne

 Peter, Juniper, Dakota

 Makai

 Cousins! Amanda, Bethany, Kacey, Sabrina, me, Dawn, Erica, Richard

 Jeff, Tessa, Charlotte

 Mom, Aunt Connie, Aunt Wanda

Mom, Aunt Connie, Aunt Wanda

 Me + Makai

Cousins! Kelly, Katrina, Richard, Sabrina, Molly, Me, Dawn, Pat

From Tessa:

Makai’s New Bed

Makai has had a bit of a hard time with the move. He’s cried just about every day. He can’t understand why we had to move and has told us he misses his old room. He wants to know why we had to move when his old bedroom was perfect. We’ve had many talks about how it’s ok to feel sad about something and feel excited at the same time. In preparation for the move, we gave his old crib/converted toddler bed to Katrina and Gaylin, who are expecting a baby girl.

A few things to note about Makai’s new bed:

  1. Makai was showing this anxiety before we moved, so we got him psyched up for a new “low loft” bed.
  2. Said bed was ordered ahead of our purchase of the house because delivery time was going to take a while. It was due to arrive a few days after we moved in.
  3. Delivery was early and was left on the neighboring house’s porch on the day before our closing and move. Luckily we were able to sort that out.
  4. After we moved in, Dallas spent countless hours working on assembling the bed, the book case, the dresser, the desk.
  5. Makai wanted to save the instructions so that later on we could build a bed with legos.
  6. I ordered a mattress to be delivered overnight (Prime).
  7. Our house doesn’t have any house numbers or a doorbell so we missed the delivery. Then had issues picking it up at the post office.
  8. I took Makai to Target and let him pick out all his bedding – Spiderman sheets, pillow cases, blanket, stuffed animal and alarm clock.
  9. Finally got the mattress.
  10. Finally finished:

Makai’s also asked for Grandpa B to paint stripes on his walls like he had in his old bedroom. And he wants his old art back on his walls. We talked about how maybe we could paint differently and he said “Oh! I know! Maybe Grandpa B could paint an American flag! Is Grandpa B good at painting stars??” I said I didn’t think he was very good at painting stars and Makai said “Oh! I know! Maybe Grandpa B could paint a pirate’s map!”

I eventually started looking at peel and stick wall paper and different murals, but then Makai just said he wanted the stripes from his old room.

To be continued….

A Family Reunion, Birthday and Celebration of Life

This weekend we went to Wisconsin to visit with my parents. We also got to see their beautiful new house that they just moved into last weekend! The main reason we chose this weekend to go to Wisconsin was for the big family reunion that was planned. It was also a birthday party for my Aunt Ali and a celebration of life for those whose time with us may be limited.

img_7253.jpgimg_7305.jpgimg_7379.jpgFullSizeRender-6img_7257.jpgThe family reunion was held at Lindberg Park in Combined Locks. It was a really nice park with a lot of grassy areas, a huge pavilion with a kitchen, plenty of parking, a playground and a basketball hoop. It really was a perfect setting. I told on of my aunts that I’d never been to this park before and she laughed and said our family had been holding reunions there for 50 years. According to my mom I’d been there when I was young. Also, on the drive to the park I passed by the house where I lived in Kaukauna (although I didn’t recognize it), the street that I lived on in Appleton (Drew! I didn’t remember it til I saw it) and the place on the river where my dad grew up (which I recalled driving past often when I used to drive from Little Chute and Kaukauna to work in Appleton).

img_7264.jpgimg_7277.jpgimg_7269.jpgimg_7283.jpgIt was my Aunt Ali who was celebrated her 57th birthday three days early. She has had a tough battle with breast cancer for many years. Her positive outlook on life in the face of death should be in an inspiration to all of us. I’m sure she has her dark times, but the positive energy that flows from her being is uplifting to everyone around her. Amazing lady. Makai decorated  birthday card for her with markers and stickers and included two photos of himself. Aunt Ali has always had soft spot in her heart for Makai. It’s so sweet!

FullSizeRenderFullSizeRender-1img_7399.jpgMy cousin Dawn has been visiting from Florida for several weeks. It was so great to see her again!

img_7389.jpgMy dad and his brother Doug.

img_7403.jpgMy mom with her sisters Connie, Wanda, Sue and Alice

FullSizeRender-4img_7352.jpgThe sisters: Connie, Wanda, Mary, Sue, Alice and their brother Maurice. (And Charlotte!)

img_7398.jpgMy mom and her brother, Morey.

FullSizeRender-2Kiara is my cousin’s grandaughter. FullSizeRender-3I’m not sure what the officially makes her to me!
img_7290.jpgKiara and Makai blowing bubbles. Both are just about 3 years old (She in September, he in October). img_7291.jpgOn a family tree, Makai would be on the same level as Kiara’s Mom, Miranda (I think.)

img_7419.jpgArt by Aunt Sue.

img_7393.jpgimg_7330.jpgimg_7391.jpgCousins: Tiffani, Melissa, Marla, Kelly, Rachelle, Dawn, Skyonna, Katrina, Ciara, Kelly, Richard, Molly, Pat. (And Charlotte!) Me: “Is Pat the only guy?” Everyone: “Uh, no. Your brother… ?”

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Cousins Pat and Kelly

FullSizeRender-10Family photos: Amanda, Jessica, Richard, Stephanie, Rick, Mary, Rachelle, Dallas, Makai

img_7397.jpgFamily photos: Kelly, Margo, Jeff, Sue, Charlotte, Tessa
FullSizeRender-11img_7260.jpgFullSizeRender-9FullSizeRender-7FullSizeRender-5FullSizeRender-13FullSizeRender-12img_7401.jpgimg_7400.jpgThe kids (even the big kids) played so hard on the playground! I hardly even went in because Makai had lots of babysitters: Stephanie, Jessica, Tessa, Charlotte, Margo. Ok, maybe not Margo. And Larry.

img_7320.jpgLucky for Richard, Dallas, Matt and Dominic, Larry had a basketball in the trunk of his car. Dallas was feeling pretty great about his “old man game” when he beat some of his competitors who were 20 years younger than him!

Fun fun day for everyone! So glad we came up and could see all of the the family!

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

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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