Cousin Vacations | 2012

Our annual family vacation with my side of the family was over Labor Day weekend.  We rented a house in Wisconsin that had a pool and plenty of fun activities for the kids and grown ups. Of course the pool was a huge hit, rightfully so.  It provided hours of entertainment and when they were done, they got out, dried off and changed clothes.  Most of the time they were back in the pool about an hour later.  The house was huge, had plenty of amenities, lots of space to sprawl out and beautiful decks with shade.

 

This is the life!

Adele and Abby.

Lucas and Will.

Brian, Jen, Dominic, Papa Richard.

Claire must have been helping Hannah's baby go for an imaginary swim.

Another main activity were the Nerf gun wars.  The dads even enjoyed it. 

Snack time with Nerf gun safety glasses at the dining room table. 

More pool time.

Loving his cousin play time.

Gramma Mary brought some crafty things that were a fun break, too. 

I turned on the music on my phone and we crafted; a perfect afternoon project.

Lucas was in charge of our croquet game... not exactly by the rules, but fun. 

So much outdoor time! 

Football, sand volleyball, frisbee, bean bags, fire pit & s'mores...

 

 

 

This particular was funny because it was late... around 11PM and Will (3) and Lucas (4) were the only kids still up... waiting for their targets. 

We weren't too far from Red Wing, Minnesota, so we spent a little time exploring the town.

It is home to the Red Wing boot company. 

Which has a size 638 1/2 boot if anyone needs...

 

It is a cute town with some neat shops but we didn't spend much time there. 

We watched the boats and trains for a little while, but 99% of our time was spent together at the house. 

 

Claire, Adele, Abby, Hannah, Caleb, Lucas, Nick and Will.

 

Goofy grandkids with Gramma Mary and Papa Richard.

It was a wonderful weekend with very little stress & distractions - just enjoying family time.  In three days together, I don't remember one instance of crying, fighting, blood or injuries.  We are looking forward to the next Cousins Vacation and hope Aunt Ann and Uncle Koen can come with us sometime (hint, hint).

how our garden grows

Way back in May we (all) planted the garden. 

Very good helper. 

 

I don't have any pictures of the garden this summer.  As gardens sometime go, our weeds got out of control.  But regardless, we've still enjoyed some of its bounty.

 

 

 

Including this 26.2 pound watermelon that Brent brought home at the beginning of August. 

 

 

 

Before we left for our Kentucky vacation we shared all of the goodness with friends.

 

We found this little watermelon - Lucas' hand for size comparison.

 



I told you there were weeds...

How many watermelons can you spot?!?!

 

Even with the weeds, we still love the goodies that we can produce and enjoy. 

Last night we had yummy squash with steak and sweet corn we froze in July!  Delicious supper!

PAS models

We hosted the annual Perry Ag Services plot tour and customer appreciation dinner last week. I'm usually too busy getting everything ready, making food and visiting with customers to take any pictures, but I did snap two on my phone that were too cute not to share.

 

This dress and cowgirl-boot-wearing, pig-tail-sporting little girl had to be removed from the lawnmower, 4-wheeler and fork lift at least nine times that evening. 

 Hustler might want this for a marketing ad... on second thought, OSHA would hyperventilate.

 

Ava and Lucas.

Pioneer merchandise models.   

Family Vacation | days 9 & 10

Leaving Indiana, we headed into Chicagoland to visit Brad, Michelle and Cameron.  

Hannah (19 months), Lucas (4  1/2), Cameron (12 months)

 

 

 

 We visited Brookfield Zoo and had a couple of visits to the park just two block from their house.

Sea lions at the zoo.

 

 

Nemo and Dory!

 

Reindeer - in August.

Cameron, Brad and Lucas in the goat petting exhibit.

Miss H and Daddy.

 

Lucas and Mommy.

 

Family pic with the giraffes.

 

 

I think he might get eaten and the bear would still be hungry!

 

Brookfield Zoo - 2012.

 

Barn and animals for Cameron's birthday!  Lucas and Hannah were so excited to give this to her.

 

 

{hugs}

 

Family vacation 2012: lots of fun, a few meltdowns, great memories, double digit hours in the hotel swimming pools, many restaurant meals and 1,960 miles.  It was a terrific vacation but we were all ready to get home for normal life/schedules/homemade food.