The Rest

Totally get that this is the longest post ever to cover one vacation, but we did a lot and I want the kids to remember it.  After this, a quick update on the summer and then hopefully I'll be able to stay more current.  Also, disregard the sideways pictures.  If I spend time attempting to fix them, this will never get posted.

There was definitely still more fun to be had after the 4th of July celebration...

There were more adventures on Opa's boat.  Specifically, the one in which we kind of, sort of, maybe decided to take Lexi and the girls (who were very casually just bopping around on the Big Mable) on an actual tube ride.  For those of you who know Lexi, she isn't all that into stuff like this.  And, by not all that into stuff like this, I mean, she nearly has a panic attack.  But, off we went! 

Clearly the girls weren't all that thrilled either.  Unfortunately for them, being too cautious hurt them in the long run, as the slower you go, the more the tube tips into the water in the front.  So, we decided it was my turn to show everyone how this works.  After all, I did grow up tubing every weekend of every summer at Sara's cottage.

 

 

We had a blast!  Alex loved it.  Avery did scream "this is terrifying!" a couple of times, but all while laughing.  Then?  It was Lexi's turn to redeem herself and come onto the tube with me.  I have to be honest and say that I think that I nearly peed myself laughing so hard.  She literally screamed the entire time.  I really do think that she was having a panic attack.  It was hilarious.  But, no worries - it ultimately ended with this...

 

And, then this....

 

So, all was good in the world again.

Then, we had the Wilke's come for a visit to help celebrate William's big 4-0!  Annabel was given the job of organizing the shoes.  Yes  - those are in order by age.  As if you had to guess.

 

The Holland kids?  They were put in charge of organizing the cooler.  :)

 

 

We built a fire for the occasion...

 

All of the grand kids! 

 

AND...Lexi had a stripper jump out of a cake for an extra special birthday surprise for William!

THEN!  It was Annabel's birthday!

 

Uncle William decorated the cake this year.  I have to say...he may have a future career here! 

 

In between the birthdays, we had...

 

Real Snakes...

 

 

Fake Snakes..

 

 

Deer watching...

 

 

The annual pool game where we probably do more laughing than playing pool...

 

 Corn hole tossing (which happened to be in the yard of the restaurant that we were eating at...brilliant)

 

Firework setting...

Egg gathering...

 Sparkler lighting...

 Fishing (for the first time!!!)

And, generally?  Just hanging out and having fun!

Reading a Book the Way Only Al-Man Can

Note - the bum comment stems from the fact that this child had his hand on (not in, but on) his bum for an entire soccer game earlier that morning, so I very nicely asked him to try to stop doing that because, well, it's weird.  Enjoy!

Now, THAT'S the way you do it

I have to say that this year's 4th of July celebration was exactly how it should be done - especially in small town America.  It started with the traditional Green Lake festivities. This year, instead of pony rides, they had baby animals for the kids to hold.  Saying that Avery was obsessed with holding the baby bunnies would be an understatement.

Even mom got to hold one!

 

Then, it was onto the boat races!

 

 

And, this year, Alex tried shooting the Bismark!  He actually hit some balls pretty far!

Then, it was off to watch the parade.

 

The kids got a real kick out of getting all of the truck drivers to honk their horns this year. 

After the parade, we all headed down to the concert on the lake.  This is one of those things that just gets better and better as the kids get older and older.  I remember when Alex and Annabel were babies.  We went to the concert - had a quick bite to eat and a beer and then headed out before the band even started.  Every year after that, we have stayed just a little bit longer.  And, sure enough - this year was the record.  Not only did we stay for the entire concert, but we stayed for the fireworks at the end!  And, I have to say, Green Lake, WI fireworks are an excellent introduction to fireworks for young kids.  While it was a nice show, it was no big city performance, which was actually quite perfect for our crowd.  I mean, I'm not sure a 4th could be any better - festival, parade, concert, food, beer, fireworks.  Gotta love small town America! 

Al-Man's Wisconsin Birthday Party

Unfortunately, Josh had to leave after dinner the night before Alex's actual birthday to get back home to work, so we celebrated that night with dinner and let Alex open the presents that we bought for him.  And, of course, when asked what he wanted for his cake, he very promptly replied, "the same cake as last year!"

 In case you don't remember, that would be layers of mac and cheese and black beans and then broccoli frosting with hot dogs on top.  All of Al's favorites...

Successfully using all of Opa and Grandma's Christmas wrapping paper...

Overall, we had great weather in Wisconsin while we were there.  But, wouldn't you know it, the one day it rained?  Al-Man's actual birthday.  This also happened to be the same day that Auntie Sara, Chad and Lila were coming to visit.  That plus rain meant a lot of people in Mom and Dad's house with no option of going outside all day long.  Hence- the internet search for something to do indoors!  Wouldn't you know it?  Fondulac, WI has a GREAT children's museum!  So, off we went!  First, we decided to meet Sara and her kids at Rocky Rococo's for lunch - I haven't been there in probably 20 years and man!  I forgot how good it was!  Lovely pictures of both of my children...

Then - it was off to the Children's museum!

 

 

 As you can see, Alex was THRILLED to have another boy to play with!  That smile literally didn't leave his face all day while Chad was around.

 

 I wasn't lying...

 

This was a pretty cute thing - they had a restaurant with fake food that all of the kids managed to completely take over.  I have to say - it worked out well because Lexi, Sara and I could sit and be "waited on," which basically meant being able to sit and chat while saying "I'll take mine with cheese and pepperoni" every couple of minutes. 

After the museum, we headed to Culver's to get frozen custard.  Of course, the birthday boy got to choose what he wanted as a snack and chose a hot dog.  Oh, Al.....

After Culvers, we headed back to Opa and Grandmas to play, eat dinner and open more presents!

I'd say that Al-Man had a pretty successful 5th birthday!  Happy Birthday, Buga Boo!