Thursday, June 11, 2009

Cincinnati Trip

Friday
Jack and I took a four day vacation to Cincinnati with my Mom and Jill. Jack was so excited to go on his very first vacation. We got up at 5am and we were on the road by 6:15am (well after we stopped at Festival for some donut holes and Bug Juice). We arrived to Milwaukee around 7:30 and we loaded up Gma's truck and we were officially off.

Here is Jack enjoying the portable DVD that Suellyn lent us. He loved having his very own DVD player and headphones.


We ended up packing our lunch and ended up stopping at a gas station to fill up and decided to have a "picnic" while we were their. Needless to say it was right next to a cement truck loading facility so Jack was in HEAVEN watching them while he ate.


Then wouldn't you know a DQ was connected to the gas station so we had to have a treat after lunch. We ARE on vacation!

"Don't even think about it Jill" -threatens Jack



We arrived to Cincinnati around 4pm and we checked into our hotel room and changed our clothes because we were off to the Great American Ballpark to watch what.... Cubs vs Reds of course!

Here is Jack all excited for his first MLB game!

This stadium was very cool. All the people who worked there were AWESOME and very helpful to everyone's needs. Outside the park were some cool statues so we had to get some pics of Jack with them.



Here is Jack handing the man his ticket to enter the ballpark. Okay I must confess something... this was such a proud moment for me. It totally put a smile on my face.... Mr Man is officially part of our summer tradition!!

Here we are by our seats. Jack was soo excited!

Us down by the field


Of course when you are at a ball game you have to get the good stuff... hot dogs, pretzels, cotton candy and our favorite.... snow cones!!

Here is Jill and Jack making the big purchase.

"These are the best... maybe I should have gotten the blue one.... nah I will get that at tomorrows game" -Jack

Mom and Jill

"Cubs Win Cubs Win .... Holy Cow!!" - Celebrates Jill

"What color is my tongue Gma?"


After the Cubs won the game we got to enjoy this......

Then it was back to the hotel and in bed at midnight. I have to say I am so very proud of Jack... he was up at 5:30am, took an hour nap in the truck and stayed up until midnight that night. He never once complained, whined or drove anyone crazy! My Mr Man is growing up so fast!!

Saturday
Jack and I woke up at 8 and Jill followed suit moments later and we decided to let Gma sleep and we were off for some breakfast. So after driving around for a couple of minutes we came across this place..... ever hear of it?!

Jill has been here a few times and LOVES their breakfast. So we all ordered waffles and scrambled eggs and had a wonderful meal. Don't worry we brought take out to Gma so she could enjoy it too.
We got back to the hotel and Gma was up and ate her waffle. Then it was time to hit the pool and some sun. The weather in Cincinnati all weekend was sunshine and 80+ degrees. Jack went swimming with Jill and I and then went down for a very long nap (I love naps). Gma offered to hang out with a sleeping Jack so I could join Jill for a bit of sun bathing by the pool. While lounging by the pool we decided that we should extend our vacation an extra day so we booked the room for an extra night. Jack came back down after his nap and we were in the pool for a about an hour and then we all went back to the room to shower and change so we could get to yet ANOTHER Cubs game.

Believe it or not I do not have any pictures from this game. But I can tell you it lasted 11 innings and we left in the middle of the 10th.

Gma bought Jack a Cubs foam finger (can you believe they were selling them at the ballpark) before the game and when we got back to the hotel he wanted to have his picture taken with it. So here are some fun pics of him and Jill and the foam finger.





Another late night til midnight but a great time had by all! Jack again was Fantastic and we all were impressed by his mood.

Sunday

Jack, Jill and I were up by 8 and decided to go get breakfast while Gma slept. Jill mentioned going to McD's but Jack was not for it. He wanted to go to.....

the Waffle House again. How can you turn that down?! So we were off to our favorite breakfast place. This time Jill and I decided to get the Egg and Ham Omelet (which is LOVES there). Well it was TO DIE FOR! Take a look for yourself.... Yum!


We finished and don't worry we brought Gma another waffle to eat in the room. After we were finished eating Jack wanted to take a putz.


Then afterwards we lounged around the room reading the Sunday paper and watching some TV/Movies.

Then it was nap time. After nap we got our swimsuits on and we were off to Coco Keys Resort. This was attached to our hotel and was not going to be passed up by us.



After 5 hours of water slides, the lazy river and the hot tub we went back to the room to shower and have dinner. We ordered food from Uno's and when it arrived we were famished!



Once we were finished we couldn't believe how late it was.... 8pm. So it was time to relax and get things organized for our trip back to WI.

Gma relaxing with her book.
Everyone was in bed by 10pm that night and it was nice to be sleeping at a decent time.
Monday
We ALL got up at 8am this morning and got everything packed and check out of our hotel room. Jack was very sad that his vacation was ending. He kept saying Saturday and Sunday how he didn't want his vacation to end.
So when asked what should we do for breakfast Jack piped up.....

So for the third day in a row we went to the Waffle House.

Jack was excited to find out that the high counter area had open chairs. So Jill and him sat there (well for the first 15 minutes and then moved by Gma and I).

While we waited for our food I showed Jack the jukebox and we put in a dollar and selected our five songs. Then before we knew it our food was finished.

We introduced Gma to this.... Yum!


Then we were off for home.

The ride seemed to go much fast on the way home than it did on the way down to Cincy. When we stopped to fill up the truck we put Jack to work. He did a great job cleaning those windows! Gpa would have been proud!

After arriving to Milwaukee seeing Gpa at Jill's place and loading our truck with our belongings we where off to GB. We arrived at 5:30pm and let me tell you Alex was EXCITED to see Jack. We pulled in and the first thing he said was "where is Jack". I didn't even get a hello until Steve said "aren't you going to say hi to mom?!" Which was fine by me because it was so darn cute seeing him so happy to have Jack home. Once Jack got out of the truck Alex gave him a giant hug and they were off playing all night long.

Just a note about Steve and Alex. They too had a fun weekend while we were gone. I will try to get Steve to make a post about it.

Wednesday, June 3, 2009

Friday-Sunday

Friday we had a truck come and dump 7 yards of stone on our driveway. We finally had enough of the dirt and bark on the back wall of the yard. So I packed the boys up and took them to Nville to hang out with Gpa, Gma, Sue, John and Danica while Steve shoveled and hauled stone from the front of the house to the back of the house.

The stone... the boys were in heaven!


Moments after we arrived to Nville Danica got dropped off by the bus. The boys thought that was so cool. Let's remember that in 10 years! :)



Gpa and Jack, Danica and Alex relaxing on the swing.



Saturday my brother came to Nville with two of his girls for the night. So the boys and I headed back to GB Saturday night.
Alex, Julia and Jack entertaining me.

Before we headed back I introduced Jack and Alex to the World's Largest Talking Cow... Chatty Belle. Lets just say they weren't thrilled.... do you blame them?!


When we got back Steve got the back accomplished with the help of his dad. It looks really nice and now all we have to do is plant some plants.... in due time.




When I ran to Pamida back in Nville I came across a steal of a deal on two children's Coleman sleeping bags. The boys LOVE them and even slept on the floor Sunday for nap and bedtime. Now they just want to know when we will go camping......

Alex

Jack