Mini-Vacations!!!

Trev and I got away for a night to celebrate our 13th anniversary.  Yes, lucky 13.  We went up to the grand metropolis of Milwaukee and jigged our way through Irish Fest, and then dinner. Then the next day we saw the Summer of China exhibit at the Milwaukee Art Museum.  A low-key but wonderfully relaxing and enjoyable weekend.

Last week we decided the kids could come along for an adventure.  ;-)  We went to the Wisconsin Dells for a few days.  This was your more typical Dells trip -  most of our time was spent at the waterpark - not like the trip we took last summer over the Fourth of July with just Katherine.  Overall, it was fun, and wonderful to get away.  Katherine could spend all.day.long in the water, but Nick is usually good after 45 minutes.

Thursday afternoon upon arrival we hit the arcade while we waited for our room, then unpacked and dove into the water park/s.  Friday morning we tackled the breakfast buffet at the (Wilderness) resort

Seriously? Is all this bacon eaten?
Why do they have to put it all out at the same time?

then toured the Wisconsin River and Lake Delton via the "Original Wisconsin Ducks."  This is a fleet of army surplus amphibious vehicles.  One picked us up at the hotel, drove on the road, then through the woods and right into the river.  You might recall that Lake Delton broke through its dam, washed out a road and in less than three hours emptied into the Wisconsin River, taking 5 houses with it?  We got to drive over the newly repaired road and into Lake Delton.

Sandstone formations

New Dam

Loud and windy

No pictures!

Then, more waterpark time, though Nicholas didn't last long.  He and Trev headed back to the room to rest, while Theresa and Katherine conquered more slides.  The boys then ventured over to another building for indoor 3-D miniature golf (yes, really) and ice cream.  Then N was ready to get back into the water and had some real fun!

Saturday morning, we hit the water again, though N spent maybe a couple hours?! playing bristle blocks poolside, while K and alternating parents rode the wave pool and slides.  Finally we checked out of the resort and headed out for a leisurely (meaning it took our food about 30 minutes to arrive) and yummy lunch.  The last stop on the agenda: Cave of the Mounds.

The hour long walking tour was great.  We all got dripped on by stalactites received "cave kisses," which are good luck.  N said the kisses were naughty or not good or something like that.  He coped well with the tour until 45 minutes in, then started saying he was hungry, every 3 minutes or so.   Katherine really enjoyed the tour and was never bored or scared.  Too bad I didn't bring the camera. :(  The gift shop was a big hit.  Finally we had a late pizza dinner east of Madison, where we saw a hot air balloon sail right overhead.  Nice end to a nice trip.