Up North (Part Four)

My fourth and final post about our vacation back home in Wisconsin.

SUNDAY:
We had to get up early and get ready for church. I always love going back to a church where I know almost everyone and they know you.
The boys before church. With Garrison you either get huge smile with closed eyes or no smile at all!

Garrison took this picture of us, not bad at all. I have to bribe him with taking a picture to be in a picture.

My family after church

We planned on going out to the lake to swim and boat after church but when we woke up there was dark clouds and it was raining. After church we checked the radars and they all showed the storms were moving out. We decided to take a chance and still go. It was chilly. We packed our swim suits and set out.

The sun would tease us by coming out one minute and then the next go behind the clouds and we would get a big gust of cool air. I spent most of the day in my jeans, but finally braved my swim suit and the lake towards the end. It really turned out to be a beautiful day and we would have missed out a great time if we wouldn't have gone.

We went out to Green Lake Baptist Grounds. This is where we would camp every Memorial Day with the church. Brain and I have many good memories here!

Brian had to brave the waters first with Jackson. Of course he didn't care if it was cold. He spent almost the whole day in the lake.

Brian and Jackson talking to Lilly.

Leo sharing his sand toys with Jackson. Leo is the cutest thing and has quite the vocabulary and personality for a 3 year old. I wonder where he gets that from!?!?!

So much fun!

My dad just recently bought a new boat. He got a huge pontoon boat, so we had to try it out. We were going to tub but both my dad and Mel forgot them. It was a little choppy out on the boat.

Jackson wasn't too sure about this whole boating thing,

But just like with the tractor,

You let him drive and he is a happy camper!

Enjoying my family on a beautiful day

My daddy and me

April and Alivia were able to join us at the lake as well. Alivia loved the water just as much as the boys!

Born to drive

The Hartzler Clan at the end of the day

The Vande Slunt Group

There also was a play set for the kids to play on. Jackson, Garrison, and Leo didn't sit still for one minute of the day. They had so much fun, actually I think we all did! The Lord blessed us with a wonderful day for all of us to be together and it couldn't have been better.

And this was Jackson within 2 minutes of being in the car:) Brian treated me to A&W ice cream and himself cheese curds for our last night in Wisconsin and they both were SCRUMPTIOUS!

MONDAY:

We headed to the Milwaukee airport to fly back to our home in Houston. As we were checking in our bags I overheard the guy say there was a delay. We were hoping it wasn't our flight. It was. However, no one was updating the screens or telling us anything. I called my sister and she checked online for us and it said our flight was delayed 2.5 hours because of bad weather in Houston. We were so excited to kill time in the airport with Jackson! HA! Luckily we were not on the plane and they had a play area in our terminal.

Here we are wasting time! Jackson fell alseep right before we boarded the plane and slept about half of the flight. We made it home 3 hours late but it could have been worse. It always feels good to be home and sleep in your own bed after vacation.

I have spent this week doing laundry and more laundry and packing for our trip this weekend. What? Didn't we just get home? Yup, but now we are driving 14 hours to Kansas for the 4th of July weekend.

Up North (Part Three)

FRIDAY:
Since Jackson's name is Jackson Oliver we thought it was only fitting that he go ride my dad's Oliver tractors. I never realized how many tractors my dad had, or he just keeps buying more and more! I think we counted 16 tractors. My dad loves to farm and does it on the side. Leo joined us at the shop for some tractor riding fun.
This is my dad's show tractor. He won't even get on it with his shoes on. He has blankets covering it so it won't get a stratch.

Jackson seems to like the tractors,

Or not!

Brian got on with him and he calmed down. He then saw he could drive them and was a lot happier.

Driving with Grandpa Gary

Little Farmer Boy

I even drove Jackson around for a while, I am not lying!!

All the boys driving around

Garrison showed up and wanted to teach Jackson how it was done

Jackson started saying tractor while we were there and now anything that is big is a tractor. He has been playing with his tractors nonstop since we have been home. Dad I think he needs an Oliver to play with, maybe even a riding one. Wink, wink!

Later that evening we went swimming in my parent's pool. It is heated and has a dome on top.

Jackson splashing away. When we came home our pool was green-DISGUSTING! Not sure what happened, but Brian super shocked it and it looks a lot better now.

SATURDAY:

In the morning Brian and I took Garrison and Jackson back to the park down the street.

Look at how big the play set is and I couldn't even capture it all! I wish it was just down the block from or house.

1-2-3 Slide! My mom said Garrison was afraid of these slides. Well, I think she fibbed because he wouldn't stop going down them and he would go by himself.

Brian having fun! I think he enjoyed this park as much as Garrison and Jackson.

Such a big boy!

Me getting in on the fun! After playing we headed back to the house so Brian and I could get ready for David Treml's wedding. This was the main reason Brian decided to fly to Wisconsin for the weekend. They have been friends since little on.

We left Jackson with my parents during the ceremony. We knew he wouldn't sit through it and when we came home he was outside playing with my Garrison and my dad. Yup, you guessed it he was pushing the stroller and the lawn mower.

Brian wanted to take Jackson with us to the reception so he could introduce Jackson to people he knew. Before we headed to the reception we stopped by Todd and Brenda's house to say hi. It was so good to see you guys, wished we could have visited more.

This picture of us all was taken at their house. Their house is gorgeous and they have a beautiful view from their house.

Dinner hadn't even started and Jackson was already done with being inside. The wedding reception was at Whispering Springs Golf Course so I took Jackson outside to wander around. We found some golf balls and practiced our golf. HA! Grandpa Mel let us eat and played with him some more outside.

Us on green 9:) The grounds were beautiful. It was a great place for a wedding.

Brian and Jackson with the groom

We had a great time and were excited for David and Maggie. Congrats guys! We tried to get Jackson to dance but he was just too tired. So, Brian and I ended up leaving a little early with Jackson. He was a sleep before we got home.

Wow! We had another couple of days of fun with the people we love.

Up North (Part Two)

WEDNESDAY:
We spent most of the day at my parent's house playing inside and outside. Jackson liked being apart of what all the kids were doing. He did NOT like them taking what he was playing with and would let them know.
Jackson loved pushing these baby strollers around the house and on the deck outside. He would chase Garrison or Garrison would chase him. I think I may need to get him some more toys to push around.

My parents have a huge backyard and Jackson liked to explore. No fences here!

They have a playset and sandbox in the backyard. We tried it all out and had fun! It was not as hot and humid as Houston so Jackson got to spend a lot more time outside without being in the pool.

That evening we went to the outlet malls to shop. Of course I had to do a little bit of shopping with my mom. Jackson kept himself entertained!

THURSDAY:

We drove up to Appleton and went to their Children's Museum with my mom, Garrison, Katelyn, Kayla and Ian. Good thing Kayla and I had look up the address because my mom went to a toy store. HA! First, we had lunch at a cafe downtown by the museum. I have never been to this part of Appleton, it was actually pretty nice!

Walking from the cafe to the musuem

Garrison being a big helper and showing Jackson were to go:) The musuem had a lot of different activities for the kids to do. They all enjoyed themselves.

Jackson in his raincoat so he could play in the water. He still managed to get himself pretty wet!

The water boys at play

Mom, I want one of these in my room!

The construction zone- Jackson was digging

Garrison driving the fire engine. Jackson wanted nothing to do with the big red truck. I for sure thought he would want to drive it, but I was wrong. I did get him to put on a hat.

The under 3 play area. I liked all the fun fruits and veggies.

Mom, Jackson, and me

They had an art and craft room. I made Jackson a 4th of July firecracker wand. You can't see it but I love his face here, he was having so much fun waving it around!

The musuem also had an airplane the kids could drive, golf room, big heart slide, giant pizza, grocery shopping, car wash, construction crane, and ball room.

We made a pit stop at Sonic in Appleton on the way home, the only one semi-close to where my parents live. All the kids fell asleep on the way home!

While waiting for dinner I took Jackson and Garrison out to play.

Driving and pushing!

After dinner we headed to the Fond du Lac Park where Brian's parents and sister met us. Jackson had his first train ride.

Traci and Leo with us on the train

Not overly thrilled with the train

Waiting for the Merry go round, looks like he can hardly wait

But once he was on, I couldn't get a smile!

We went to look at all the deer and ducks by the lake. Jackson said duck for the first time and he screamed it over and over at the ducks in the lake.

After all that play we headed over to A&W for some ice cream.

Jackson's first taste of ice cream, I think he likes it!

Perfect ending to a fun filled day until...

Brian called and said his plane was delayed because of storms in Houston. He had to sit on the plane on the runway for a hour before they finally took off. But, at least he made it safe and sound!