We're going on a trip. It's a surprise for the kids! Don't tell them! On Thursday, April 2 we will pick up 5 kids early from school/daycare and then we'll be heading out of town. I scavenged through all of last summer's clothes and bought a whole bunch of new clothes and goodies and packed everything up. It's all waiting for us at my in-law's house. I'm so excited! I’m hoping for good weather. I Mapquested the route. I just can't wait. Here's the plan:
Thursday, April 2: Drive to Monona, WI.
Friday, April 3: We'll leave the hotel early after our continental breakfast. We're going to see the Gateway Arch in St. Louis. We’re going to take a tram to the top, enjoy the scenery, and get on the road again an hour later. We have dinner plans with Tiffani and her family at Logan’s Roadhouse. We’ll stay in the Nashville area Friday night.
Saturday, April 4: We drive to Orlando on Saturday! We can check in at our resort at 4:00. We’ll play in the pool and enjoy the warmth! We have a grill by the pool, so we’ll eat dinner and relax after the long drive.
Sunday, April 5: Magic Kingdom. We’ll be there at opening time. We’ll stay until 1:00 or so and then go ‘home’ for a rest and dip in the pool. We’ll go back to Magic Kingdom in the late afternoon for some more fun.
Monday, April 6: Sea World day. I can’t wait to feed the dolphins. The kids will love that, too. It’s a little different from the Great Lakes Aquarium.
Tuesday, April 7: Aquatica Waterpark. Look at the pictures of this place! It’s fun just looking at it! It’s my half-birthday, Tuesday, too!
Wednesday, April 8: Universal Studios-Islands of Adventure. I wonder how many hours I’ll spend in the Dr. Seuss’ Landing with the little kids.
Thursday, April 9: We’re going to be beach bums on Thursday. We’ll sleep in, hang out at the pool for a while, and head to the beach. First we’ll see Daytona Beach and then I want to go to St. Augustine. We’re sleeping in Savannah, GA on Thursday night.
Friday, April 10: We’ll get up early on Friday – REALLY EARLY! We’re going to watch the sun come up on the ocean. On Friday night, we’re staying in Jonesborough, TN. We’ll drive through and explore the Great Smokey Mountains when we need a break from the truck. In Jonesborough, we’ll enjoy an outdoor Bluegrass concert at 7:30 p.m.
Saturday, April 11: We’re staying in Oswego, IL on Saturday night. We’ll drive through Indianapolis and Gary, IN (for a culture shock) before we get to our hotel. We’ll have dinner at the Triple XXX Family Restaurant in West LaFayette, IN, that is one of Guy Fieri’s favorites on Diners, Drive-Ins, and Dives.
Sunday, April 12 – Easter Sunday: We’re going to Easter Mass at St. Ann’s in Oswego. We’ll sleep in our own beds on Sunday night. It will be good to be home!
I’m going to try to blog here every day and will be adding pictures to Flickr. Check it out!
Thursday, March 26, 2009
Tuesday, December 23, 2008
How do you spend Christmas?
We go to Steve's parents' after church on Christmas Eve and have dinner and then open gifts from them. Maria and Jeremy will be there, too. It's always nice to visit with them. We get up very early on Christmas Day after Santa has visited. We always discover unwrapped surprises from the big bearded guy. Then we open gifts from each other while we sit around in our jammies and drink hot cocoa. My parents will come up from Golden Valley in the late morning. We'll have breakfast and then share more gifts. Then we all go to Steve's parents' house for a fancy Christmas dinner.
This year we brought presents to the Salvation Army. Each of the kids picked out a gift that they, themselves, would like to have and they bought it for another child their age. We delivered them yesterday and had a tour of the food shelf and learned a little about how other people live. It was a good experience for my (mostly self-centered) kids.
We also had each of our own kids pick another kid's name from a hat (literally - a Central High School Football hat) and they bought a gift for that other kid in the family. The 'secret' part of the 'secret Santa' didn't last long, but it was fun anyway.
Christmas is so much fun with those kids! I just love Christmas. This year we have lots of snow - and more falling right now.
This year we brought presents to the Salvation Army. Each of the kids picked out a gift that they, themselves, would like to have and they bought it for another child their age. We delivered them yesterday and had a tour of the food shelf and learned a little about how other people live. It was a good experience for my (mostly self-centered) kids.
We also had each of our own kids pick another kid's name from a hat (literally - a Central High School Football hat) and they bought a gift for that other kid in the family. The 'secret' part of the 'secret Santa' didn't last long, but it was fun anyway.
Christmas is so much fun with those kids! I just love Christmas. This year we have lots of snow - and more falling right now.
Monday, October 20, 2008
Goin' back to Cali!
My cousin, Brian, was married a couple days ago to a beautiful gal named Diana at The Jones Victorian Estate. My mom and I traveled to California to be there. We rented a car, stayed in a nice hotel, and enjoyed every minute of our time together.
I don't see my cousins much. They're all quite a bit younger than me and live on the West Coast. I've not been in touch with any of them, except the two who are Alden's children. Amy is 21 and Brian is 25. I remember when both of them were born. That makes a gal feel old.
I was most impressed with My Aunt Mary's family. Mary's mother is a beautiful matriarch to this energetic family. Mary has 6 siblings, who, along with their children and grandchildren from three states, made us 'part of the family'. I love that they all get along and look forward to being together. They were such fun.
Pictures can be found on Flicker:
I don't see my cousins much. They're all quite a bit younger than me and live on the West Coast. I've not been in touch with any of them, except the two who are Alden's children. Amy is 21 and Brian is 25. I remember when both of them were born. That makes a gal feel old.
I was most impressed with My Aunt Mary's family. Mary's mother is a beautiful matriarch to this energetic family. Mary has 6 siblings, who, along with their children and grandchildren from three states, made us 'part of the family'. I love that they all get along and look forward to being together. They were such fun.
Pictures can be found on Flicker:
Tuesday, October 7, 2008
My birthday
It's my birthday! I'm 38 years old today. I was hoping I would feel smarter. Maybe I have to be 40 for that.
Monday, October 6, 2008
Anniversary Trip 2008
Hey Baby Let's go to Vegas! I took Friday and Monday off of work for our third annual anniversary trip. It was Steve's turn to plan it. In the past, we've been to Lutsen and to Stillwater. This year, I had no idea where we were going. We drove to the airport and went to the ticketing area and the sign said, Las Vegas. I've never been to Las Vegas, and neither had Steve. It was an adventure!
We visited every casino and collected matchbooks with the casino's name. Neither of us needs matches for anything, but it was fun to see all the different places. There were people from all over the world in Vegas. It was cool to look at someone and then to hear their voice, their language. Sometimes it was what you'd expect. Our pictures can be found on Flicker:
We arrived in Vegas in the early afternoon and took a cab to the Monte Carlo, where we stayed. Friday night was our anniversary celebration. We got all dressed up after our afternoon "nap" and saw Zumanity, a sensual Circ du Soliel show at New York, New York. Afterward we ate at Gallagher's Steakhouse. I've never had an $8 potato with my steak. The day was spectacular!
On Saturday we had a brunch buffet at Paris and rode the Deuce all over town and enjoyed the sights. At night we saw the Danny Gans show, and ate dinner at Fatburger on the strip. We saw the light show at the Fountains of Bellagio and fell asleep exhausted from all the over-stimulating experiences of the day.
On Sunday morning we slept in and spent some time at the Race and Sports Book where Steve bet and lost a handful of money on football games. It was fun to predict the outcomes and to check on the games as we went throughout our day. We sat by the outdoor pool and plunged into the Jacuzzi for a little while and then we hopped on the Deuce to see the Freemont Street Expeience. You have to click on that link to see what it's all about! It was pretty cool to see all the old casinos and the light show above the mall area was incredible. We even saw Willie Nelson walking around there.
On Monday morning we came home. It was such a great time! Thank you to Steve's parents for caring for the Miller kids. We couldn't do it without you!
Next year I have to plan the Anniversary Trip. Do you have a suggestion?
We visited every casino and collected matchbooks with the casino's name. Neither of us needs matches for anything, but it was fun to see all the different places. There were people from all over the world in Vegas. It was cool to look at someone and then to hear their voice, their language. Sometimes it was what you'd expect. Our pictures can be found on Flicker:
We arrived in Vegas in the early afternoon and took a cab to the Monte Carlo, where we stayed. Friday night was our anniversary celebration. We got all dressed up after our afternoon "nap" and saw Zumanity, a sensual Circ du Soliel show at New York, New York. Afterward we ate at Gallagher's Steakhouse. I've never had an $8 potato with my steak. The day was spectacular!
On Saturday we had a brunch buffet at Paris and rode the Deuce all over town and enjoyed the sights. At night we saw the Danny Gans show, and ate dinner at Fatburger on the strip. We saw the light show at the Fountains of Bellagio and fell asleep exhausted from all the over-stimulating experiences of the day.
On Sunday morning we slept in and spent some time at the Race and Sports Book where Steve bet and lost a handful of money on football games. It was fun to predict the outcomes and to check on the games as we went throughout our day. We sat by the outdoor pool and plunged into the Jacuzzi for a little while and then we hopped on the Deuce to see the Freemont Street Expeience. You have to click on that link to see what it's all about! It was pretty cool to see all the old casinos and the light show above the mall area was incredible. We even saw Willie Nelson walking around there.
On Monday morning we came home. It was such a great time! Thank you to Steve's parents for caring for the Miller kids. We couldn't do it without you!
Next year I have to plan the Anniversary Trip. Do you have a suggestion?
Sunday, August 24, 2008
Keep Paddling! Keep Paddling!
I did it! Cross it off the list! I went with 4 girlfriends and their girlfriends to the Apostle Islands! It was a wonderful, exhausting, exhilarating, lovely (as Angel would say) achievement! I can't wait to share it with my husband and our kids.
Sheila picked me up and we went to Ana's to pick her and 3 friends up for the trip. We stopped to eat in Superior at a Chinese restaurant and then drove to Bayfield, WI. We walked the pier and enjoyed a little Bayfield nightlife. Michelle, Amy and Charity joined us there. We slept in a studio apartment above a restaurant in Bayfield after a climb up the fire escape.
We were up early and had breakfast at Greunke's restaurant downstairs. Angel prepped us for the day ahead with some oga stretches right at our table. We headed to Living Adventure, three miles down the road. We met our guides, Alex and Sean. Alex is from Mexico and speaks with a thick Mexican accent, which made me listen more closely. Sean is an intern with Living Adventure and is learning from a great teacher. They helped us find the right equipment and Alex taught us all about the islands we'd visit on our trip and some safety guidelines and tips for making the trip the best it could be.
We had lunch on shore and then headed out for our beginning paddle. We enjoyed a snack on a sandy beach. It was really windy and the lake was choppy when we headed across the channel to Oak Island. Our guides were very encouraging and helpful along the 6 mile trek on Day 1.
After a treacherous paddle across the channel (Michelle was in the single kayak and learned quickly! The waves were wild and Alex kept yelling, "Keep paddling! Keep paddling!!") we landed on Oak Island. We set up camp while Alex made a fire and made dinner. We enjoyed some time around the fire and a hike before dinner. We had a great meal of Lake Superior Whitefish, rice, bread with Brie Cheese and a great (yet burned) mixed berry pie that is Alex's speciality. Some of us enjoyed a little Root 100 (that's 100 proof root beer schnapps), even though it hurt to just lift to our lips. We went to bed early, exhausted and looking forward to a new day.
We were up with the sun - well, we were up even though the sun wasn't shining. I had an early morning think-time on the lake. It was cloudy and about 50 degrees at 6 a.m. Angel led us through some comforting yoga postures that helped to stretch my aching muscles. Now I can say, "I did yoga on Oak Island!" Alex made coffee, which I gleefully drank, scrambled eggs and black beans for breakfast. My regular breakfast of Diet Mt. Dew and a salted nut roll from the gas station was not being served. We took down the tents, loaded the boats, and were on the water by 9, when the sun started to shine. We toured the coast of Oak Island and made it across the channel to Raspberry Island where we took a hike to and a tour of the newly restored Lighthouse.
We paddled across to the mainland and toured the shoreline back to Living Adventure. It took a very long time to paddle the 12 miles back, but it was a beautiful day and I wouldn't have traded it for anything. My soggy arms were not much help getting me out of the boat. I felt like it would have been easier if they would just tip the boat over and let me fall out. :)
It was a great trip. I would recommend Living Adventure and Alex to anyone willing to work a little for a great experience. In fact, I will send my kids and maybe even go with them sometime in the future.
View many of my pictures at http://www.flickr.com/photos/28659974@N07/
Sheila picked me up and we went to Ana's to pick her and 3 friends up for the trip. We stopped to eat in Superior at a Chinese restaurant and then drove to Bayfield, WI. We walked the pier and enjoyed a little Bayfield nightlife. Michelle, Amy and Charity joined us there. We slept in a studio apartment above a restaurant in Bayfield after a climb up the fire escape.
We were up early and had breakfast at Greunke's restaurant downstairs. Angel prepped us for the day ahead with some oga stretches right at our table. We headed to Living Adventure, three miles down the road. We met our guides, Alex and Sean. Alex is from Mexico and speaks with a thick Mexican accent, which made me listen more closely. Sean is an intern with Living Adventure and is learning from a great teacher. They helped us find the right equipment and Alex taught us all about the islands we'd visit on our trip and some safety guidelines and tips for making the trip the best it could be.
We had lunch on shore and then headed out for our beginning paddle. We enjoyed a snack on a sandy beach. It was really windy and the lake was choppy when we headed across the channel to Oak Island. Our guides were very encouraging and helpful along the 6 mile trek on Day 1.
After a treacherous paddle across the channel (Michelle was in the single kayak and learned quickly! The waves were wild and Alex kept yelling, "Keep paddling! Keep paddling!!") we landed on Oak Island. We set up camp while Alex made a fire and made dinner. We enjoyed some time around the fire and a hike before dinner. We had a great meal of Lake Superior Whitefish, rice, bread with Brie Cheese and a great (yet burned) mixed berry pie that is Alex's speciality. Some of us enjoyed a little Root 100 (that's 100 proof root beer schnapps), even though it hurt to just lift to our lips. We went to bed early, exhausted and looking forward to a new day.
We were up with the sun - well, we were up even though the sun wasn't shining. I had an early morning think-time on the lake. It was cloudy and about 50 degrees at 6 a.m. Angel led us through some comforting yoga postures that helped to stretch my aching muscles. Now I can say, "I did yoga on Oak Island!" Alex made coffee, which I gleefully drank, scrambled eggs and black beans for breakfast. My regular breakfast of Diet Mt. Dew and a salted nut roll from the gas station was not being served. We took down the tents, loaded the boats, and were on the water by 9, when the sun started to shine. We toured the coast of Oak Island and made it across the channel to Raspberry Island where we took a hike to and a tour of the newly restored Lighthouse.
We paddled across to the mainland and toured the shoreline back to Living Adventure. It took a very long time to paddle the 12 miles back, but it was a beautiful day and I wouldn't have traded it for anything. My soggy arms were not much help getting me out of the boat. I felt like it would have been easier if they would just tip the boat over and let me fall out. :)
It was a great trip. I would recommend Living Adventure and Alex to anyone willing to work a little for a great experience. In fact, I will send my kids and maybe even go with them sometime in the future.
View many of my pictures at http://www.flickr.com/photos/28659974@N07/
Friday, August 15, 2008
Reunion
I went to my 20 year high school reunion. Steve and I met a bunch of my friends - I still consider them good friends even though we only see eachother a couple times each year - at a restaurant called The Lakehouse on Forest Lake. The parking lot of the place is actually where my old house was torn down. We laughed, looked at old pictures, and talked before going to the real reunion.
Steve and I went in through the bar entranced and crashed the party. It wasn't worth the $85/person anyway. At first I didn't know who to talk to - everybody looked so old! Steve kept getting me drinks from the bar and I mingled more and more as the night went on. He was great - putting up with my shinanigans. I have a couple pictures I'll add sometime soon.
I learned to sew cushions for my deck swing and chairs. I made four cushions tonight - yes, a very exciting Friday night! I'll make the other four antoher time. I have to finish spray painting the swing and chairs, too.
Upcoming event - kayak trip in the Apostle Islands. I'm nervous about the weather. But, i figure I can do ANYTHING for 2 days and I will survive. ;)
Steve and I went in through the bar entranced and crashed the party. It wasn't worth the $85/person anyway. At first I didn't know who to talk to - everybody looked so old! Steve kept getting me drinks from the bar and I mingled more and more as the night went on. He was great - putting up with my shinanigans. I have a couple pictures I'll add sometime soon.
I learned to sew cushions for my deck swing and chairs. I made four cushions tonight - yes, a very exciting Friday night! I'll make the other four antoher time. I have to finish spray painting the swing and chairs, too.
Upcoming event - kayak trip in the Apostle Islands. I'm nervous about the weather. But, i figure I can do ANYTHING for 2 days and I will survive. ;)
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)