Monday, September 29, 2008

Boulder Junction Vacation

This weekend we went to visit Brooke, Jay and Mika and experience Beef-a-Rama. Were we in for a whirlwind time. After arriving shortly after 8pm on Friday night the kids tried out the new hot tub, ahhhhh. I think they really enjoyed their warm swimming pool.

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In the morning Brooke and Jay left for their Rump Roast Run and we stayed behind to wake up a little more and prepare for a day of BEEF! We met them after they finished their run and were ready to hit the town. The girl in green holding the beef is a 5 time winner. I am going to run next year and beat her. No one should be able to monopolize all that meat.

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Also along for the day of fun were Jay's parents, John and Gloria. Catherine enjoyed hitting all of the booths handing out free food with Gloria. Lots of little snacks to keep her busy. Liam liked the pirate ship with real pirate activity (they were shooting flour out of the cannons on the boat).

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We spent the better part of the morning visiting little shops and eating lunch in an Irish pub. Unfortunately the day was overcast and chilly or I am sure that we would have stayed longer for the parade of beef. We went home at around 2pm to have some down time after all of the excitement. Brooke surprised the kids with cupcake baking and decorating which they loved. Sadly, Catherine got a little too close to the fresh-from-the-oven cupcake tray and got a nasty burn on her chin.

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Brooke, Liam and I took a walk in the woods to keep Liam busy. He liked the large variety of sticks and rocks for him to choose from. He also liked that he could run pretty much anywhere and not get yelled at.

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By nighttime the kids were exhausted and went right to sleep and the adults could spend some much needed kid-free time in the hot tub relaxing with some drinks.

On Sunday morning we went to the Outdoorsman for breakfast. It was delicious! Liam spilled his whole glass of chocolate milk in mom's lap but other than that things were great. Just look at how happy Catherine is with her breakfast.

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We went back to the camp and went for a walk to enjoy the beautiful colors and get the kids out and active. Brooke taught the kids some tight rope walking and then we got to go for a canoe ride. Catherine even helped to paddle.

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On the walk back to the cabin I got stung twice by a wasp which is why my pant leg is hiked up. Then when we went into the house to sit down I got stung three more times by the same wasp that was somehow in my shirt. Brooke saved me by getting the wasp off of me only to get stung by it as well. That was one pissed off wasp. Sorry Brookie.

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We said a sad farewell to Mika who had begun to get used to all of the extra cuddling and was thinking maybe we were moving in. The kids certainly made themselves at home in her cage. (Hey, where can I get one of those. Is it still illegal to cage children? What if they are enjoying it?)

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Thank you Creaghs for an exciting and memorable vacation, we have the burns and stings to prove it!

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P.S. On the drive home the kids didn't even make it to Minocqua

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Ready to Dance

We enrolled Catherine in a ballet/tap class that is every Monday from now until the spring. At the end of the dance year they have a recital (which I hear is a real hoot). Stay tuned for updates on her progress...

In these pictures Catherine is showing me her "moves".



Monday, September 08, 2008

Catherine's First Day of School!

Waiting for the school bus!

Catherine had her first day (and week) of school last week. So far things are going great. She came home with a Problem Solver badge today!

The hardest part is seeing Liam so sad when he can't ride the school bus.

Liam crying because he can't ride on the school bus.