vacation

this weekend we took a much needed vacation. my nephew Austin graduated high school in may and it was his party on saturday.  We woke up and left Thursday night at about 130 am and arrived at my sisters at 9 in the morning.  it was their city wide garage sales so we went on a walk and found some great deals and then spent some time at the park.  The afternoon was spent in my sister's pool and then back to our hotel to check in,  my dad was staying there too so he watched the kids while we went out with a few of my friends from high school.  Saturday we met up with another friend from way way back (3rd grade or so) and her son.  we went to the park and visited while the kids played.  Then we had Austin's party and I got to see some people I haven't seen in years. 

Sunday, we took the kids to Santa's Village, an Azoosement park.  (animals and rides).  Bailey, my niece came to help out and the kids had an absolute blast.   and I think they had just as much fun playing with Bailey, Uncle Curt, and Aunt Jessie while we went out to dinner after.  They got a big kick out of staying at a hotel.  It was the first time for both of them.

on the way home, to pass the time,  I counted the roadkill because it seemed like there was a lot.  20 deer by the time we reached home!  We stopped in the dells at a park for a while and then at Buffalo Phil's at a recomendation from friends for lunch delivered by a toy train.  both the kids got a kick out of that.  and then they slept most of the way after that!  and it sure feels good to be home!  back to reality in the morning!

 Kara and I

 Owen and Eleanor

 getting ready for the party

 looking pretty

 Santa's village giant slide fun!

 race cars!  first ride of the day

 petting an iguana

 not sure who had the most fun on this one...

 this one was Eleanor's favorite ride and Ben really wanted to go on it too but he was not tall enough

 She was a little nervous on the horse this time

inner artist

after doing the paint factory thing with one of my friends earlier in may, I went back last week with Eleanor and my mother in law.  we had fun painting castles and Eleanor even went in front and danced.  We even hung our paintings in Eleanor's room.

 Also we have been enjoying as much time as possible outside lately.

 We have been lucky enough to get to spend some extra time with Poppa Mike lately.  then enjoyed making chalk outlines with him

 showing off some new summer outfits

 Ben helping daddy work on the bike

Eleanor (the fish)  in our new swimming pool