Sunday, August 12, 2012

Blue Harbor Get-Away

This weekend we headed out of town for a little get-away to Wisconsin.  We went up to Blue Harbor Resort in Sheboygan with my parents and sisters and families.  The girls were really excited to spend a weekend away with their cousin Lucy!

We weren't really sure what to expect from Blue Harbor...but I can say it exceeded ALL expectations and I can not wait to go back!  I think it is a place we will visit a lot in our future.  We had such a great weekend away!!!!

We all got up there around 3:00 on Friday and the fun began.  To begin with, we checked into our condo and the girls found their bunkbeds.  They were so excited we could have packed the car back up and head home!!!!  We stayed in 2 condos that were next to each other, which worked out perfect because we were able to make all our meals in or order in, which is so much more relaxing with kids.

Blue Harbor was such a family-friendly resorts.  There were kids and families everywhere out playing and swimming.  We really couldn't have asked for a better place to go!

After the HOTTEST summer I can remember, of course we got a super cool weekend.  It was nice, but it didn't make for great outdoor swimming.  But the best part was there was an indoor waterpark so we were set.

We headed there Friday afternoon and knew we had hit the waterpark jackpot.  The girls were able to do everything, and were in heaven.  It was really nice!  They did the slides so many times I lost count.  It was great watching Lucy, Abigail, and Caitlin have the best time of their lives!!!  After swimming we headed back for dinner and drinks.  It was a great night of cards, drinks, and talk!

We fit a whole lot into our Saturday.  Of course there was a lot more swimming at the waterpark on Saturday morning!  We also headed into town for brats...and many of the crew headed back to the pier one or two times to the English pub.  Speaking of pier, the resort is located on a little pier that was adorable.  It had shops, including ice cream which was a big hit, and mini golf which we will have to explore our next visit.  We headed to get ice cream and had a great time.  There happened to be a band playing outside so after ice cream, the girls all got to practice their dancing skills.

Rob and I took the girls down to the beach on Saturday for a while. Caitlin hasn't had her first trip to the ocean yet so the experience on Lake Michigan was all new and exciting to her.  She LOVED the waves and ran back and forth 100 times.  It reminded me of watching Abigail at the ocean when she was 18 months old.  The girls had a lot of fun at the beach.  That evening, after we ordered in pizza, Rob, the girls, my parents, and I headed to the bonfire they have at the resort.  By bonfire, they meant small fire with 9 chairs around it...but we had a great walk!  Oh, and I forgot during the day there was a major bocce ball tourney that went on....during a wedding!  All fun times!

That evening there was more cards, which included a card game where the winner got to pick Baby Tres' name...so we'd like to introduce you our 3rd child:  Toto Lolo Wennerstrom! 

Sunday we all hit the waterpark and beach one more time!  Everyone was sad to head home!

It was suc a wonderful weekend away, definitely a highlight of our summer!!!!!

And of course, here are some pictures.  I didn't have a lot of pictures in the waterpark because I was busy keeping my kids safe...but there are some!

Posing at the beach

This is my favorite picture...we were all doing exactly what we do the most. Caitlin was running back and forth from the water, Abigail was very intense building a sand castle, Rob was having a beer, and I was snapping pictures!

Bug loves the beach!!!!

Abigail was so happy...and serious with her building skills!

Abigail and Lucy headed out for ice cream.

Caitlin is a bird. She ate her ice cream..and then just opened her mouth next to everyone else eating ice cream until they stuffed her mouth.

Happy Girl!

Aunt Katie, Vern, and me (I made 1 picture this trip).

Aunt Julie, Aunt Katie, and Vern...apparently he didn't know he'd be in any pictures!   :)

Grandma and Lucy...how cute is that peanut????

Abigail, Caitlin, and Uncle Joe dancing away, with Grandpa watching!  You can see Blue Harbor resort in the background...it's beautiful!

Last week we were at a museum (post coming) and the girls wanted binoculars but instead of buying them, we just made them.  Then, when we got to the resort, the first thing they saw in the store were binoculars!  So funny...I'm so glad I didn't buy them before.  So Grandma and Grandpa took the girls to the store to pick out a souvie...and they both finally go their binocs! 

They may not use them correctly, but they are happy!!!!  Daddy also surprised them at the end of the trip with mermaid dolls which they love.  No pics, but I'll remember this trip everytime I see those mermaids!

Headed one of the nights to the bonfire. 

One of the girls getting a ride from Daddy as Daddy and Grandpa took a walk along the beach.

Heading up to the big waterslide.  It was absolutely amazing how many times the girls did the water slides.  Thank God we had so many people there to help take the girls down the slides, especially because they wouldn't let me on the slide pregnant.  Between Daddy, Grandpa, Uncle Joe, Aunt Julie, and Aunt Katie, I'm guessing they did the big slides over 100x each!!!!

They also had slides that didnt need a tube.  Abigail could do these by herself..and she was so happy!  The pure joy on her face as she came down the slide, yelled "Again!", and was off to the top again was one of the highlights of my trip.  She must have done it 50x in a row!

The littler slides were perfect for Caitlin and Lucy...who did these slides time after time after time after time.  There were 2 happy girls!!!!  (Sorry Lulu, I didn't get a picture of you on the slide)

Grandpa and Caitlin at the end of the big slide

Caitlin swimming "un-dew-wat-ew"

Daddy and Caitlin

It was such a wonderful weekend away with my family.  Spending time with my parents, my sisters, my brother-in-law, my beautiful neice, and Vern was so much fun!  I can not wait to go back!!!!!!

Friday, August 10, 2012

BOOMers!

Last weekend, we went to the Boomers baseball game with 7 families.  It was a great Friday night!

I didn't capture a whole lot of pictures...I was too busy being an annoying worry wart (you sit so close and the balls get hit at the kids head...literally it barely missed a kid once and another time, Rob caught a ball that was about to hit a kid's head...he caught it bare handed and was very proud, but admitted it still hurt the next morning).

It was a perfect Friday night with great friends!!!

Abigail  
Our Ham!

I mean, how cute are they????  These three girls (Rosie and my 2) are like the 3 amigos when they are together!!!!!

All the girls at the game were having girl talk on the blanket (Gwen is starting to get old enough to join in on the gossip)!  Rosie laying on Abigail cracks me up!!!!

There were also a whole lotta boys there, but they were too busy trying to catch balls so I didn't get any pictures!!!!

My 2 princesses!!!!

Watching fireworks.  For some reason, Caitlin kept her hands like this and her tongue out the whole time...not sure!  I do forget how AMAZING the fireworks at the stadium are.  They are so close and are quite long!

It was a great night!!!!

We are off in a few hours for our Muskovich weekend away!  Watch out Sheboygan, the Muskovichs (and Wennerstroms..and Blandfords...and Verno) are coming!!!!!

Friday, August 3, 2012

Bass Lake Festival 2012

Well, it was another successful year at the Bass Lake Festival!!!!  My parents and sister, brother-in-law, and niece all made it up this year, which made it even more fun!!!!!

Here's some of the fun pics from the weekend (although I didn't take many pictures).

The girls had TOO much fun on the water slide!!!

She's a fish!  She loves to swim "un-dew-wat-ew".

I think Lucy had a great first visit to Bass Lake.  I think her favorite parts were Kramer and eating goldfish crackers!  :)  But she also loved spending time with Abigail and Caitlin..and they loved spending time with her!  Lucy had a new experience too...sharing a room!  It's too much fun..and make sleeping hard! :)

Look...we are in a picture too!

Grandpa and Caitlin tubing!  They hit some MAJOR bumps!!!

Aunt Julie and Abigail tubing!  Lucy didn't like having her mom out of the boat so they had a quick ride!

Papa attempted to have all 3 girls have their hand prints in new cement he put down.  The hands didn't go as planned... (here's lucy's attempt)....

But the feet worked great!  :)

Have no idea what Abigail and Caitlin were doing here...I think they were petting Rob!

This picture didn't turn out good cause it was my phone, but the 3 girls and Uncle Joe laid in bed and watched a Snow White after a long day of swimming!  It was a relaxing way to end the day!

Great Nani and Great Papa joined us in watching the parade! And what a parade it was!

I unfortunately wasn't there for all fun.  It was my second year in charge of the Bass Lake 5K.  We had a very successful run with about 140 runners/walkers in all!  I couldn't have done it without all of my volunteers (aka family members) so thank you everyone for helping!!!!!

We had registration at the cabin the night before the race!!!!

There was a lot of shots and beer at registration.  I'm guessing it's not the most professionally-run race...but it sure is a fun one!    Check out my "official" sign Nana made at work!

So, Bass Lake Festival 2012 was a success.  Lots of drinking, eating, laughing, swimming, and playing!  What more could you ask for?

Thanks Nana and Papa for a GREAT weekend and for all your hospitality!  It was a perfect festival!!!!

Wednesday, August 1, 2012

Whole Lotta Summer

I have officially become the world's worst blogger...and I still only have 2 kids!  What's going to happen when I have 3...and am working???  Yikes!!!

Yes, speaking of working, I've decided to go back to working part-time, although it should really be considered more of a "volunteer" position after I pay childcare.  But I'm very excited to get back into the classroom, and the best part is that I'm teaching at the same school the girls go to preschool so I will be right next door to them.  This is such a great thing, especially with Caitlin's speech delays, because I can "translate" if needed.  I had my first staff meeting this week (even though school doesn't start till September) and it was great to be back at work. I'm only working in the mornings, and the girls will be in school in the mornings.  On the mornings each of them doesn't have school, a lady will be picking them up at the beginning of school and dropping them back off at the end, so I will only be away from them for a little over 2 hours.  I am so excited about this upcoming school year!  As for what will happen when Baby Tres is here, we'll worry about that in December!  :)

Anyways, I've been terrible at blogging....but here's a rundown of some of the things we've been up to!

DATE NIGHTS
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Each of the girls had a special day with my parents.   My mom took Abigail to see Sleeping Beauty at the theater.  We thought Caitlin was a little young for it, so Caitlin got a date night with Grandma and Grandpa.

Caitlin the next morning after her sleepover at Grandma and Grandpa.  Gma and Gpa took Caitlin to Rainforest Cafe, but Caitlin had as much fun there as she did at the Character Meals at Disney World...which is zero!  So they got their check and headed to Red Robin for a more peaceful dinner!  :)  And they also hit the Disney Store where Caitlin picked out a new lunchbox...which she loves!!!

Abigail went to see Sleeping Beauty with Grandma. She has NOT stopped talking about everything that happened.  Her favorite part was when Sleeping Beauty waved at her personally and mouthed "I like your dress" to her.  Her least favorite part was that she had raisins on her bagel!  I've heard about both of these 100 times.  I've also heard that Grandma said they could go see Cinderella next...and this girl doesn't forget a thing!  ;)  This is how she looked after a day with Grandma that included a trip to the Disney Store and lunch at McDonalds.

This is how she left for her play!

Caitlin was so excited about her "date night" that she came down for nap wearing this!!  She found a dress and even found a purse.  It was so cute!!!!  She loved her date night!  Thanks Gma and Gpa for the special days!!!

Activities
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Both the girls have been busy with gymnastics this summer.  They really love it and want to stay with it in the fall.  So it looks like goodbye dance, hello gymnastics.  I love the studio so I'm happy with their choice!  And Caitlin got moved up a group so in the fall I won't have to do the sessions with her, even though she's not 3 yet.  Happy to watch!!!

Abigail also finished swim lessons last week.  She's a fish in the water.  Caitlin has to be 3 to do swim lessons and is very excited to "be a big girl and take swim lessons".  Both girls are good swimmers!

Graduation Party
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Last weekend we went to Tommy's Graduation Party.  As always, it was a great time. The girls love to be surrounded and loved on by family!!!

Caitlin with Nana and 2 of her "great-aunts"

Tommy throwing Abigail in the pool.  It was so sweet that he just graduated from college and had all his friends around...and spent about an hour with the girls helping them swim!

Congrats Tommy!!!!!!

Summer Concerts
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Between the heat and our busy schedules, we have only made 2 summer concerts this summer.

The whole group (with Nana and Papa) at the Buffett concert.

Caitlin was up dancing by the stage and got a lei...she was a happy girl!!!!

Swimming
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One day a few weeks ago, I took the girls to a water park.  They had a great time and did the water slide a million times!!!!!  See that big bucket in the background???  It dumps water and they did NOT like it...so we spent half the day watching the bucket! 

Taste of Park Ridge
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Rob and I have one major thing in common...we both HATE the Taste of Chicago.  Nothing worse that the heat and the crowds.  So this summer we opted for a much better option.  We hit the taste of Park Ridge.  It was family day and all the rides were free!  The girls had a great time...and were very busy!  And I hit some major sidewalk sales...I even scored Xmas ornaments for this year (hope no one notices they say 2009 on them, I didn't till I got home..but oh well, in 20 years no one will know!)

They loved the slide.

This was a day they were best friends.  It's much better than their fighting days..which is more and more this summer!!!!

They were so cute in line, it was melting my heart.  They had to hold hands the whole time!

Abigail showing off her crown she made.

So that's just a taste of our busy summer!  Last weekend we had Bass Lake Days which I'll post about soon....hopefully!  ;)