4th of July nostalgia

We were in Wisconsin for the 4th of July and here are the highlights!

As soon as we landed we went straight to Kopps for custard and burgers. There is a new cow exhibit in the parking lot - like 20 life-size cement cows - so we had to get a pic. 

That night we went to dinner at Timmers on Big Cedar Lake. Love love love this place. A few stories to share: while we were having dinner Lucy decided to dash from the dining area straight toward the lake. Andrew chased her as she did a full on sprint. She didn't jump in, though we weren't sure what she was going to do! Then after dinner she swallowed a mint whole, and I thought we were going to need to do the Heimlich. I got a quick lesson on what to do in that situation if needed someday. Lucy keeps us on our toes! :)

The main highlight of our trip this summer was for Charlotte's baptism. Uncle Pat took a new assignment as head pastor at Holy Angels in West Bend in late June and Charlotte was his first baptism on July 3. He is starting a new tradition of doing baptisms during mass - occasionally at least. I have to say, it was really special standing before the congregation as they clapped and welcome Charlotte into the church. It reminded me of that very special moment five years earlier on our wedding day after my uncle pronounced us husband and wife. We turned to look at all the those who witnessed our marriage and I felt this strong sense of support and love as they clapped and cheered. It was awesome, and I felt that as Charlotte received her sacrament of baptism. 

Godparents Anne & Tom Sharkey

Happy baby

After the baptism we had lunch at the Idle Hour on Main Street. The owners are sweet and did a lot of work to restore the old brick building. It was a perfect day so we had our little party outside. You can see all the care that has gone into the beautiful landscaping.

My parents - Bob & Nora

The Hollands - Tom & Mary Onie

The following day was the 4th and we watched the West Bend parade and went to Regner Park.

Rachel and Jason

The park where we swam and played as kids

Our next stop on our week-long adventure in WI was to Blue Harbor in Sheboygan. The Sharkey's joined us for a night, and it also is where they were married. The girls loved the water park, and I loved being on Lake Michigan. We found two great spots to eat each night. The new Sprecher restaurant and Il Ritrovo pizza - which my uncle recommend and it was so good.

Lake Michigan  

Blue Harbor Resort

Inside the waterpark - she loved the slides and had to master this one

A child's first s'more is a wonderful thing

Andrew played golf at Kohler (the Irish course) with Tom and Tom's brother Mike. Andrew was in golf heaven as he played alongside the sheep. While he golfed I took the girls to Bookworm Gardens.  This place was so awesome we had to come back the next day with Andrew. The gardens feature exhibits about children's stories. 

Lucy in front of the Three Little Pigs houses

Winnie the Pooh

We couldn't be in that part of WI without stopping at the Kohler Design Center. After we left Andrew said, how come that is so much fun?? And it really is, for adults and kids. We were in the market for a new shower head and we found one. It's called Awaken, and it's now been delivered, installed and we love it.

Testing out the sinks

The rest of our time in WI we spent hanging out at my parents house, watching wild turkeys and listening to the sand cranes. We took golf cart rides in the fields and did all sorts of outdoor activities. We all had a great week! Next year we will be back for the U.S. Open in June to be held at Erin Hills - right down County Road E from my parents house!

Charlotte with the hodag - the folkloric animal of WI