Our Door County Vacation

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The retreat of the woods was pleasant, I just wish it had been closer! ;) After the family vacated we moved into the smaller but air conditioned cabin. It was better on the heat front, but the beds were still terrible. We had a very difficult time sleeping, plus the kids had to share a room and they didn't fare too well with that either. It was closer to the lake though and had some play equipment and a fire pit, so all in all it was a good move.



We kept ourselves busy the last few days by ourselves and really had a great time. We hit the beach, of course, for some sand castle making and splish splashing. The beach was a bit seaweedy but the kids didn't seem to mind at all while Charlie and I were fairly grossed out. He even took his water shoes on the subsequent trip! Sophia really had fun building a sand castle with me as I attempted to make a bridge and a moat. She got her boat to sail a bit before all the water soaked back into the sand and really had a fine time trying to fill it back up over and over again.



It also happened to be County Fair time so we decided to act like locals and get our country on. I must say it was a bit disappointing, but Sophia had an absolute blast on the Midway. We were both unsure whether or not she'd be interested in the rides, as she sometimes is a bit frightened of new things, but she was ecstatic! She rode ride after ride after ride all night long. We literally had to rip her away at the end of the night. I expected to see more animals, maybe because it was opening night, but we were disappointed on that front. So, the next day we hit a local farm called The Farm, so creative! ;)



The Farm was a bit like Deanna Rose but much more of an authentic farm. There were kittens everywhere along with baby goats galore. Seriously, Sophia may grow up to be a goat herder. She loves those stinkin' goats! She got to bottle feed one and before we left she literally went goat to goat (as many as she could see) and tried hugging and kissing them goodbye. She's a riot. We also got to see a very plentiful garden, different kinds of cows, ducks, geese, donkeys, horses, and pigs. Whew! If we ever make it back to Door County, this will be a must stop again!



One day we drove up the coast to other towns and visited Al Johnson's Swedish restaurant. It is a local favorite and quite popular because it has goats that live on its roof. Talk about a riot!! There were three goats that we could tell and they had a fine time just lounging about and eating grass. They also had a cute little shop in there and both Sophia and I got some fabulous new clogs for the fall....well, at least mine are for the fall. Sophia is wearing them now and for the price of them, she better keep on wearing them! I think it will be worth it, we got them a size bigger so they'll last longer and honestly, she is pretty darn happy to clomp clomp around all day!



We decided to make the trip home all in one day (we had gone there in two parts, stopping at my Aunt Ellyn's for an overnight) and it really wasn't bad. We did eat at McDonald's twice in one day because you really can't beat the play place/eating combo. It took us about 13 hours and the kids did amazingly well. In fact, it was the first time ever on a car trip that we busted out the DVD player. Sophia's eyes were wide with wonder when I told her she could watch a little Barney. She was pretty happy and by the time she watched two Barney DVDs we were home.



The fear of the road trip is definitely behind us and I think that anything else from here on out will be easier...as long as there's two of us that is! ;)

Confessions Part 2

1. Road Tripping is waaaaaaay better with multiple adults! ;)
2. A portable CD player for Sophia was the best $12 I have ever spent!



After well over 24 hours and more than 1,500 miles logged, we are back home in one, very tired piece. We headed up to Door County, Wisconsin last week for a Jones Family Reunion. The last one was held 15 years ago, also in Door County, so "it's been awhile" is an understatement. If you're not familiar DC is the upper peninsula of Wisconsin, near Green Bay and is absolutely beautiful! Of course, as our vacations seem to go this year the weather didn't cooperate! It was unseasonably warm (as it was unseasonably cold during our FL vacay!) there this year. Usually the temps are about 75-80 during the day and 60 at night, but alas, they were well into the 90s and the nights were just as bad in our un-air conditioned cabin. BUT...the company made it all worth it! As many family events are likely to do, this one was no exception in how I missed my Dad. It was hard to be around the whole family and take group pictures and notice that again he was missing. Hopefully he was there in spirit as all the cousins remembered younger days!



We had a busy few days celebrating birthdays, catching up, meeting new family members, and just generally playing and having fun! Sophia was her usual self...the life of the party! She was very funny and had no problem making friends with cousins young and old! (and by 'old' I mean old-er and certainly NOT past any prime!;) She and Maren were great friends and the one day that Sophia got to spend with Sophie was absolutely thrilling for her. They had a fabulous time playing together. Leo, as usual, charmed the masses with his giggles, gurgles and beaming smile!


The actual reunion went from Saturday to Monday. Tuesday morning all the rest of the family dispersed and Charlie, the kids, and I all stayed on for the remainder of the week. It was heavenly (despite the spiders and terrible beds!) to get away and spend some time as a family of four. More pictures from those days to post soon!


We're already looking forward to the next reunion in 2015, which as it seems, Louise and I have been nominated to plan...!

Customize a picture slideshow

This picture didn't make the slideshow on accident! We couldn't forget those lovable outlaws! ;)

We Heart Cousins!

Julie and Sophia braving the "sprinkler"
cousins and friends enjoying the new princess pool

wheeeeeeee...trampolines are fun

boooooooing!

3 happy cousins

Sophia, Julie, and Angela

They compromised...one pushed back and one pushed front

Julie and Angie joined us for two days this week. Overall is was super fun times, but it did tire me out a bit. They came at a time where I had a ton to get done, so that was nice that there was some distraction for Sophia, but it kinda made me feel like I didn't get much time to play with them all, but honestly, I don't think they missed playing with me at all! In fact, it was really nice to not have to be the sole entertainment for Sophia all day. She actually does play by herself very well, and we keep ourselves busy to say the least, but having them here really made me excited for a time when Sophia and Leo can play with each other! It also made me excited for the realization (okay maybe just the justification) that 2 children is plenty for me! ;) Thanks for coming, cousins...we love you!

10 Months Old and Still Adorable!

peek-a-boo!

Roooooooooooar!

Let's see what Daddy has for me in here..

Leo LOVES balls. He gets so excited whenever he sees a ball, or anything resembling a ball! In fact one of this favorite play toys is a fake orange from Sophia's kitchen. He rolls it all around the dining room laughing and squealing all the way!

We were at Julie's the other day and all of a sudden he just stood up and took off! It was awesome! I am ready for him to walk!!

Confessions of a Road Trippin' Mama

• Even 85 seems too slow with two whining kids in the backseat.
  
• If you judged me for letting my 9 month old crawl around on the filthy, disgusting McDonald's floor after spending 2.5 hours in the carseat, I just want to tell you...you can kiss it!


• No, Sophia...I really don't want to sing Bingo one more time, but I love you, so I'll let it happen. Again.


• I know you want to get out of the car, but you can't.


• No, the Bingo CD didn't really break, but c'mon, my ears were bleeding.


• If your address has an "R" in front of it, your McDonald's should really have a Play Place. Seriously...I mean what else do you have to do in this town?
  
• Poop is not a reason to stop the car. Incessant screaming? Yes, that's a good reason.


• No. We're still not there.
• Oh I sure did buy my non-sleeping 2 year old and her friend ice cream at 9 pm, you gotta problem with that?!
  

Why didn't anyone tell me that McDonald's had $0.39 kids cones before now?

germs? fecal matter? It's no worry...I brought wipes.

Sheehan and Sophia enjoying a milk at the soda counter

ah yes, more floor time. There comes a point in which your efforts become futile. Just accept and move on.

Group picture anyone?

thank heavens for the life jacket! She couldn't touch anywhere in the pool!

Eileen and Baby ?

Sorry, but I had a really terrible time telling them apart...but at least that means they are equally adorable!

Poor Leo was cordoned off into the grass...he only wanted to eat rocks on the playground

Calum and Finne

(I think!!!)

we had 2 serious golfers on our hands!

which of these things is not like the other?

They look so peaceful as they watch TV...if only that would have contained them

here they were deliriously running for the door that leads to ice cream

ah yes, this one should be submitted for mother of the year.

There is nothing like convenience store ice cream for the babies.

Did I mention it was after 9?? Yea, we rock.

Here is Sophia with Finne (I'm sure about it this time!)

She loved "helping" with the babies and ran to their aid each and every time they peeped.

Super Cute Stocco Boys!

Finne, Sheehan, and Calum

Thank goodness for Greg!

Daddies are always fun, even if it's not your own!

oh I know, I am just so cute aren't I?

:)

There was really no better picture to end our time together!

Oh, and yes...Sophia did polish off that entire plate of blueberry pancakes and bacon...by herself.

So, if you haven't figured it out yet...we went road-trippin', just the 3 of us (oh and by the way, I didn't really using my editing eye for my picture choices in this post, it was just too much fun to post them all!) In the end, it really wasn't that bad, but it sure was tiring and a bit stressful to be on my own with the two of them. Eileen, Greg and the boys were traveling to Colorado for a family vacation and since it's been almost 2 years (gasp!) since we've seen each other, we decided on an impromptu getaway to meet them in Northern Iowa for 2 days. Iowa? Really? Yes, I know, but we found a hotel with a water park and figured it was all we needed, and actually, it really was. Thank goodness Greg was there to help with my kids too because it's not like the didn't have enough of their own! The twins, Finnegan (Finne) and Calum, are just about 2.5 months and Sheehan just turned 4. We got adjoining rooms and spent almost the entire time in the pool and the hotel restaurant. It was super fun and a great way to see an old friend, however, we didn't get much time to catch up between feeding one of the three babies, and catching someone who was jumping in the pool or saving another who may have been about to go under, but at least it was something! Hopefully we can plan another reunion soon because even in just my short time I was reminded again how wonderful it is to spend time with someone who knows the real you. There are only a handful of people in my life that I feel like know the deep-down me, know my history, and can truly appreciate my sense of humor and Eileen is definitely one of them.

Nachos Libre

chewing on this is more fun than wearing it!

peek-a-boo, Sophia!

Sophia makes a very threatening wrestler indeed!

showing off her pink princess diamond!

Yay for Daddy coming home! Charlie has been in San Diego all week and came home late last night and we're all happy for the homecoming! Sophia dove into bed with him this morning to cuddle and it was just precious. Of course, as all good daddies do, he came home with business trip presents! Leo got a Mexican wrestling mask which he had more fun eating and playing with than actually wearing, but Sophia on the other hand, loved wearing it and looking tough. She declared herself Superman. She also got a giant pink diamond, her princess diamond! ;) I told her to never settle for less than a man willing to buy her diamonds...I mean at some point someone else will have to support her, right!? ;) haha!

Greatest Day EVER...

We thought this day would never come...Sophia has learned how to pump her legs on the swing...woo hooo!!! She still needs a push to get her started, but once she's going, she just keeps on going and going and going! Hallelujah! It's been an interesting progression actually, because she's sort of had an inkling on how to do it for about 6 months now, but one day she couldn't and then the next day she could...crazy! This is a nice development for her to feel more independent and an even nicer development for mommy and daddy! ;)