Good Morning Readers

How is this for a sight first thing in the morning...  Early risers, early readers!

A Day at the Zoo

We had some free time on Saturday morning so we gave the kiddos a few options. With all the ones we had, it was the Minnesota Zoo that won out! I think it was because of the proposition of the camel rides!!!  (see below)

Before we could make it around to the camels, we had to stop and see the sea otters...  Bo and Hailey both wanted seats to watch, so they worked together to find a spot where they both could see and watched for a bit!

Alas!  We did find the camels!  But where is Bo?  Yeah...  We paid 5 bucks for him to ride and then he decided to bail.  So Haileys made her rounds and was quite pleased.  I was pleased that the guy gave me the 5 back!  :)

Now if this doesn't make Grandma and Uncle Steph proud...  At one of the parks, there is a boat to ride in.  What did Hailey do when she hopped in???  She went to the back and was practicing her fishing!!  Cast...  Real...  I GOT ONE!!!  :)

Minocqua 2012 - The Finale

Well, the camping trip had to end sometime...  And the greatest part about knowing that there was a puppy waiting at home was seeing Hailey a little sad about leaving the dog troop that we had the whole week.  Ebony already left, but Hailey wouldn't have left without pictures with these two!

 Hailey and Gretchen!

Hailey and Noodles (a.k.a. Farrah)

And now we end the camping trip story...  There might be some more pictures if we can get a few from the other camera holders!  The ones of the group didn't turn out well, so hopefully I can get another out there soon.  Thanks for staying tuned!!

Minocqua 2012 - The Speed Boat

It was the first year Uncle Earl brought his big boat up camping.  In previous years, it most likely wouldn't have been altogether fun due to the temperatures we normally see (a bit cooler) but this year...  It was warm and sunny and made for perfect weather for long bumpy boat rides with big waves!!!

 I suppose even with all the sun and warmth, the "cooler" folk can still be found!  :)

 Hailey and Daddy getting ready to ride the tube together.  Let 'er rip Uncle Earl!!

 Hailey, Grandma and Uncle Will took their turn.  Hailey took a moment to show some things that she learned while riding with Dad!  Atta girl!!!

After all of the tubing, Hailey got to help drive while Cousin Mason did some wake boarding as you can see in the background.  Hailey said that next year SHE was going to try skiing!  We'll have to see what the future holds!

Minocqua 2012 - The New Stuff

One of the biggest highlights for us this camping trip was Hailey throwing off her training wheels!  In preparation for the event, I mentioned to her that we could try to ride without them during the camping trip and then surprise Momma when we get back!

Hailey is definitely my girl and one to NEVER turn down a challenge!

 

Look Mom!  No training wheels!

 

 

After lots of practice...

 

And MORE practice...

She made it all the way down to the dock!  My favorite story I had to tell Hailey about riding her bike is how I learned to ride my bike without training wheels.  I had a big grassy field to ride around in.  And falling down in the grass was way better than the road.  Then when I was feeling up to a ride down the pavement, I subsequently crashed into our mailbox!  She thought that was pretty funny!  :)

When we got home on Saturday, after the Pippi puppy surprise, we had Bo, Momma and Pippi wait out front.  Hailey and I got her all ready and she went riding around the sidewalk to show off her new skills!  Everyone was impressed!!!  :)

Minocqua 2012 - The Essentials

Every year it seems we have more and more new things happening. With all of the kids getting older things are definitely going to change. But alas, some of the things we've come to enjoy while we're camping always seem to be there every year!  The first part of the posts this year is just that.  All the same, yet altogether essential to getting me through the work-year before next year's adventures!

Fishing, fishing, fishing!  Heading out on one of the first days with Earl and Steph!

Rooms with views!  Sunrises and sunsets are always an enjoyable bookend to our day!

Grandma Jane and her camping smile!

Me and a couple of keepers!

Now that you have that, please check in again tomorrow!  Now that Hailey is 5 going on 6 this fall, she has had some rather enjoyable/exciting changes at camping this year!!  :-)  (Insert suspense here!)

Minocqua 2012

We have returned from the northwoods after another very successful outing!  However, I do have to interrupt this update with the following update to our family roster!

 

Meet Pippi!  (originated from Pipsqueak if you were wondering).  Last Saturday, Darlene had found the puppy at the farmers market in Neillsville.  One of our concerns about adding a furry member to the family was that Bo, the more allergic of the two, would react to the dander and we'd have to turn the little cutie away.

Well, with Hailey and I out camping, there was a week to find out if Bo could handle it and he did!  So we had kept it a secret with Hailey during the week.  So it was fun for me to ask Hailey if she'd ever WANT a dog (she said she'd rather have a horse), or if she had a black and white dog, what would she name it (Sarah since she JUST got a black and white stuffed animal and named it)...

The time came and the plot thickens.  During our time away, Momma and Bo were going to write a book about everything they did.  The first page of the book was about the fact they went and bought a puppy.  Hailey read it and processed it.  Then she thought, we bought a puppy...  Then her eyes lightened up and asked, did you buy a puppy?  Which we responded with YES!  She's in the house, would you like to go meet her????  Here is the look she had!

(Insert a big inhale with this smile)  :)

Hailey officially loves Pippi too.  She was laying in bed proclaiming with a sigh, "I love Pippi!"  :)  Tomorrow will commence the camping photos from Hailey and Daddy's week in Minocqua!!

Dress Up Day!

The things we run across while trying on clothes....

 Kangaroos and Princesses...

Fancy dresses and high heeled shoes next to froofy froofy dress with Lightning McQueen rain boots!  :)

What have we been up to?

Well, needless to say, this summer has been busy! Work, travelling, company, concerts and much much more it seems! So I do apologize as it seems in the evenings, my pillow is casting an unbreakable spell over me before I can pull out the camera and computer. So now let's get to our 4th of July fun!! 

We were very thankful on Tuesday night to have Joe, Meghan and Toby save us seats at the fireworks in Plymouth.  Although it was a hike all the way across the city, the pre-fireworks entertainment included music, an orchestra and fire dancer type people.  Hailey LOVED the orchestra and we had to move down in front to get some good looks at the band.

While we were at the fireworks, Uncle Will and Maggie were also on their way up.  Due to the heat, we ended up spending time at the Mall of America.  We rode rides and shopped.  The kids got to enjoy a lot of rides!!  Bumper cars was, I'm fairly certain, Bo's favorite!

Riding in cars!

Last but not least, the carousel!  Hailey took the pony and Bo rode the bench.  Just when you think he'd bust out of his shell and ride a chicken or giraffe, he decides he just wants the bench.  Although, maybe it was because it was almost 2 p.m. and nobody had eaten yet...  Woopsie!

Well, I have to get back to the action here and hope to post again soon!  Sorry for the wait and we'll be back soon!

My Two Ladies

My favorite two girls chilling out front for a picnic this weekend.  Boy is the weather hot!!  We have to pick and choose our strategy, but we still were able to make it to the garden and the beach over the weekend!  I hope you are able to enjoy it just the same!