Sledding in GB

One of the other things I definitely wanted to do when we were in Wisconsin was take the kids sledding again. When we were in GB the last time, they had sooooo much fun. This time it was suggested we go to Baird's Creek which is where I would going snow skiing when I was in high school. I was super excited to take the kids to a place I would hang out at when I was NG and LM's age. I have so many great memories from that place.

I owned my own skis and we would go on a week night or on a Saturday. The hills weren't all that big and we would ski without poles. It had a tow rope and it was super cheap. All my friends would be there and they had a lodge or chalet you could go into and warm up. Just so many great memories.

Anyway, we got to the creek and it was just how I remembered it. Except now they had a place where you could tube sled and it was huge! We paid a couple extra bucks and we could ride the tow rope up to the top. The kids never stopped. They would come up the rope and run to go down again. Especially EG. She was not the least bit afraid. From up top of the hill, we could see her grab her tube and run for the tow rope to do it all over again. Daddy and I had a great time going down as well! Definitely thrilling!

I had a chance to walk through the chalet and head over to where the skiing use to be. That night it was mostly snowboarders. I didn't see one single skier. Things change on the slopes as well, I guess.

I think the kids would have gone up and down and up and down until they could barely walk. But the hill closed at 8 and we still had not had dinner. Gpa and NK had come out for a little while to watch us sled. But then left to gather us up some great bread and hot soup and it was waiting at their house for us. Perfect ending to a perfect night. . . .

The Frozen Tundra

One of the things I wanted to do with the kids while we were in Green Bay was to take them skating. The older kids had skated before on, like, a plastic rink, which was soooo different then the actual thing! So, NK found us a great place to go real skating. And the kids loved it! And, for Florida kids, they did really well. No major spills! Hubby opted not to skate. The last time he did, he fell so hard that the ice shook! I think that was before we were even married.

I grew up skating, so that with the roller skating we have done in the past, it came back pretty quick. There were two girls at the rink who were fabulous. One of which was EG's age. I think EG was a little perplexed by that! Although, I didn't have to help her, really, at all. I just kind of hung by her in the beginning. The rest of the kids just went round and round.

I am glad we had the opportunity!

That morning we were able to go shopping at the Packer Pro Shop for the kids' Christmas gifts from Gpa and NK. And that was big fun. It is so crazy all of the things that they make and sell with the Packer logo. We went back a couple of days later just to look around a little more . . . 

We Arrive

Traveling with the kids seemed a whole lot easier this time around. I know it is because they are older. And we have done this a time or two. But, I also had a pretty good system. Although it still needs some improvement. We went from Harry Potter on CD to reading. The reading part didn't work out so well though, it made the majority of them car sick. We had coloring books and crossword puzzles and if all else failed we had our math books. And then, towards the end of the day, they could watch a movie. They opted to listen to Harry Potter quite a bit. Not sure why we never did the books on CD thing before.

We didn't see snow until we got into Wisconsin. And we made great time. We got to the hotel in plenty of time to shower and meet G Pa and NK for dinner. EG was the only one who really wanted to check out the snow. It was super cold. Mostly because of the wind. But, I braved the weather and took her out. She LOVED it.

She didn't have gloves but grabbed a lot of snow. She ran in it and tried to make snowballs. There was some ice on the hilly driveway and she loved sliding down it on her feet. It took everything I had to keep up with her. 

EG in front of the hotel with the Moose. The hotel's Moose, not our Moose. ;) There was a little pond that had frozen over. She had to slide on that ice. Unfortunately, around the edges of the pond was slush and she kind of fell in it. But, she didn't want to go in. She kept playing with wet feet. The girl is made of steel!! Such a zest for life that I pray she never looses. Restrains a little bit though!

Our hotel was within walking distance of the Stadium. In fact, had the Packers won the week before, we would have been surrounded by out of town fans at the hotel.

Loved the snow!

Loved the bear. The cold never affected her. Grandma was hoping she had shoes on. She did for the first day or so. Eventually she was running from the hotel to the car without them. What's a little frost bite??

The hotel is amazing and we love staying when we are there. EG loved the bear inside too.

We met G Pa and NK for dinner at a Mexican restaurant and enjoyed just getting caught up. We were looking forward to experiencing, in the next couple days, somethings that you can only do in the north. Stay tuned . . . 

A Visit

Back in the first week of April, we got to enjoy the company of Grandpa J and Nona K.  They came down to visit for a few days.  And we really enjoyed our time together!  One of the great things about having company is it makes you go and do and see things that when you live someplace you just kind of take for granted.

They got in on a Monday in time for dinner.  And we just sat and visited.  The next day we took a trip to the beach.  It was a beautiful day!  A little breezy and sunshiny.  A perfect day for a couple of folks from the Midwest!  We brought blankets and flipper and lunch and just hung out.

The water was cold.  At least too cold for me!  But, the kids couldn't care less so they got in.  Although rather slowly.  Nona K said she didn't come all this way NOT to get in the water.  So, she was much braver.

We really are blessed to live where we do.  Rolling hills in town and the beautiful, white sandy beaches within an hour and a half.  

We saw this Great Blue Heron just standing on the beach while we were hunting shells.  He/she never left.  Maybe she had a nest nearby.  They are such beautiful birds!

We also went to a local lake/park where there were some little shops.  We had homemade ice cream and the kids climbed the big tree.  We also went to a little artsy part of town that I had never been to before.  While hanging out at the house we played a bunch of games of Scrabble and the kids loved that!  (So did I!)

All in all, we had a great visit.  It is always fun when family comes to town . . .

Day Ten

Sledding!!!  The kids' dream come true.  There was just enough snow for us and the hill was just the right size for us.  Grandpa J had got some sleds and we were ready to go.  The kids had a blast and never got tired or cold (well, except for EG).  Precious, precious pictures.

The kids had a blast and probably could have stayed much longer.  But, it was cold and they were covered in snow.  So after a good while we had to call it quits.  They were sad to go but did not complain!  I think they love, love, loved it.  And it was so much fun just watching them.  Although, hubby and I did take a turn. ;)

We did not have many big plans this day.  We had to head out the next morning to finish up our trip. So, from here we went to the Goodwill store and found a bunch of really great buys.  (Two official Green Bay packer kids' jerseys.  They had the number 4 on them but we figured they might be worth something someday.)

Then we headed back to the hotel to get lunch and pack.  The motivation to get the kids going was that as soon as everything was packed up and ready for daddy to take to the car, they could spend the rest of the day at the water park.  So, needless to say, they packed up in record time.

We spent the rest of the afternoon and most of the evening at the water park.  Grandpa J and Nona K came by and sat at the water park and chatted and watched the kids play.  We got take out barbecue and ate together.  After dinner we visited a little bit more and then we had to say our good byes.  It was sad, but we had made a ton of really great memories!

We let the kids go back to swim for a little bit.  Then we had to get some rest.  We had another busy day with packing up and heading out to make one final stop to see family before heading back for home.

It was a whole lot easier unpacking the car with no snow and 35 degree weather then it was packing up the next morning.  My brother came by, so that was a big help.  More tomorrow on our last couple days . .

Day Nine (I think)

As our story left off, we were anxiously awaiting snow.  Another major reason we traveled 1200 miles to Wisconsin in the beginning of January.  So the kids could see snow.  Imagine our dismay, when day after day went by and there was none.

We continued to pray and I had faith.  I just couldn't believe that after being in the North for as long as we were planning, that there just wouldn't be snow.

Before we went to bed the night before, the weather predicted flurries to begin during the night.  The kids and I were full of anticipation when we woke up the next morning.  One of the big girls threw open the curtains, only to reveal no snow.  In my mind, I had pictured the tree branches, outside our window, laden with the fluffy white stuff.  But no.

We were all visibly and vocally disappointed.  How could that be?  The weather had almost assured us we would see snow.  Then, literally, as we were looking out the window with dejected faces, we could see the beginnings of flurries.  Our countenances rose along with our voices, with the great expectation of snow!!

Everyone quickly ate breakfast and donned all of our snow gear.  And, headed out.  To the parking lot.  (It was the best we could do for the moment.)  Trust me, the kids didn't mind a bit!  The snow accumulated right before our eyes.  The weather channel told us we were to expect between four to six inches!  It snowed all day and well into the night.

I was to see a wonderful friend of mine from high school that day.  So we gathered the kids indoors.  (They were a little dismayed that they were wet.  They did not fully understand that snow was made of frozen water.)

Anyway, I touched base with my friend to assure her that the kids and I would still be coming out to her house.  I was confident the kids and I could make it.  Goodness, I was from there.  But, as the flurries continued and the snow started to build up, I decided that hubby could drop us off and then come back and get us.  I was not so confident about my driving skills.  But, there was no way I was going to miss a visit with my dear friend and her kids.

With Florida tags we were sure that everyone would stay miles away from us.  And out plan was to just take it slow.  The following are pictures of what I saw out of the passenger side window from the  front seat of the van.

The scenery around us changed dramatically.  All of a sudden, there was snow everywhere and it was not stopping.  It was exciting and a little scary all at the same time!

We made it to my girlfriend's house, after inching along like a snail.  Better to be safe then sorry was our thought.  I was so excited to see my friend and her family.  It had been over 5 years (my 20th High School reunion) since I had seen her.  We exchange emails and keep up with each other through our blogs.  But, it was GREAT to talk in person!

We talked and talked and could have talked for hours more.  The kids got a long great.  (Her two youngest were home, the big boys were still in school.)  I still picture Boop and her daughter L, sitting on the couch, next to each other just chatting away.  Fast friends.  We chatted for a couple of hours and watched the kids and the snow.  My friend and I have told each other, repeatedly, how great it would be if we lived next door!  Well, our couple hour chat would have to sacrifice.  And we made the best of it.

Hubby showed up to pick us up.  We were able to meet the rest of her family, the two big boys and her husband.  While we were chatting the kids got out side and played a little bit more in the snow.  I would have loved for them to all play in the snow together but we had dinner plans that evening.  So, we had to get back to the hotel, change and make our way slowly to the restaurant to meet our family for dinner.

We made it back to the hotel safely.  I am sure a 15 minute drive was more like 30 minutes for us!  Anyway, we were meeting Grandpa J and Nona K at a restaurant I always went to with them growing up.  It had changed hands a time or two and was now owned by a friend of Nona K's.  Someone else I remember from my high school days.  It was great to see them and it was great to have a wonderful dinner in such a nostalgic place for me.

Fabulous dinner, great dessert and, again, the kids were fabulous.  As we chatted for a little after dessert, EG crawled up in my lap and fell asleep on my shoulder.  

Anyway, I love taking the kids to places I went as a kid.  If I remember correctly, the first time I ever ate at this restaurant was lunch, one time, right before I left for camp, when I was about NG age!

I think it was still snowing when we left the restaurant.  Light flurries.  We needed to scrape ice and snow off of our windows!  Driving home, at night, in the snow was so surreal.  Everything covered in a blanket of white.  The contrast of a pitch black night and the lights dazzling, dancing off the snow.  We drove slow.  

We needed to get back to the hotel, get a good night sleep, because Grandpa J and Nona K were taking us sledding in the AM.  So, so exciting . . .