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.
Dad and Dallas manning the grill.
Dad grilled hot dogs, beer brats, and hamburgers. Dallas made a 10-pound pork roast!
Typical WI BBQ coolers.
To all the beers I’ve loved before..
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.
Frog Crossing!
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.
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.
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.
FROGS!
It was great to see so many of my aunts, uncles, cousins, cousin’s kids, etc!
My cousin Katrina with her parents, Ali and Dave, and her boyfriend, Gaylin.
Aunt Deb, Uncle Mike, Uncle Morey, Aunt Connie
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!
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.
My cousin Anna’s daughter, Brianne, and my niece, Stephanie.
Margo is my younger cousin Kelly’s daughter. She’s pictured with her grandma, my Aunt Sue.
My cousin Melissa with her boyfriend, Aunt Ali, Aunt Connie, Aunt Deb, Uncle Morey, sidewalk chalk, Makai.
My niece Stephanie with her dog, Milo.
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!
Cousin Kelly, Me, Aunt Ali
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!
Me and my Aunt Ali
Me and my Aunt Sue
Some other photos from the weekend in Wisconsin:
My mom with Makai and Buddy by the pond in their subdivision.
When in Wisconsin: New Glarus Spotted Cow + Friday Fish Fry!
Makai walking Buddy.
Buddy stretching out and relaxing on the patio.
Milo and Dakoda in the garage, begging to come back inside.