Our stay at the Great Wolf Lodge...

Boy oh Boy! Wisconsin Dells 2 times in one week! Can you say-Yeah for summertime? My boss and his wife gave us a gift card to use at Great Wolf, so now that Jerod is feeling better, we made plans to spend a night at the Lodge this past weekend. We had a great room and had a good time. The boys were sooooo tired by Saturday night that they lasted only 1/2 hour in the arcade. (Big Bummer, there)

By far the most popular thing to do was the double tube ride. Not sure of the name, but both boys insisted on going on it several times. Who knew that blow-up tubes can get soo bloody heavy after the 4th flight of stairs? Oh, well-Cayden actually enjoyed the ride instead of being so freaked out, so I felt we owed it to him to let him go down it as much as he wanted.

To have a little break from the action, the boys both colored their own souvenir T-shirt and were very proud of their artwork.

We ended our day at Wiley's Woods. Words to sum up that place-LOUD, LOUD, LOUD and oh, did I say LOUD!? Thirty or so air guns shooting felt balls all over the place and the loud air compressor kicking in every minute or so to keep the ammunition going. Yeah, if we never have to go there again, Jerod and I won't be sad. However, Cayden said it was his favorite thing we did this weekend. Hmmmm, maybe if we wait long enough before we go back, he will forget and we can distract him with the arcade...that should tell you how much we liked that place by our offering the arcade as an acceptable alternative.

Noah's Ark Good student day..

After spending the night at Kuhs', we headed up to Noah's Ark the next morning to have a amazing time at the waterpark. It started out cloudy, but by after lunch, the sun was out in full force and was a perfect day to be here. Plus we got to get in free. Even better!

We went down Congo Bongo as a family and Cayden did OK-he was pretty freaked out on the way down, but said he liked it, but refused to go again. Kieran, however, would've gone on it over and over and over. He has NO fear. I get a kick out of him. Cayden is so the opposite. Lazy River and Wave pool all the way for him. He takes after his mom, I guess. I hadn't been to Noah's Ark since High School and man, has it changed. Lots of thrill water rides, not my cup of tea, but I enjoyed watched the crazy ones scream his/her way down them.

This weekend we are going to the Great Wolf Lodge in the Dells and so I'm looking forward to the fun we will have there. Hope to have pictures in short order for that.

CHASIN' MASON - country ROCKS!

Our second cool concert-Chasin Mason out of Milwaukee. Notice the preteen, heck preschooler, crowd storming the stage. Don't know how they handled it-The concert was LOUD! These guys can rock some country riffs! I would recommend these guys to anyone.

We went as a family and the weather was perfect! Next time I won't sit so close to the stage-the speakers were pounding hard! I had a pretty good headache going by the end of it.

Notice the guitarist-he thought he was the lead singer from Rascall Flatts with that hairdo, doncha think? He was pretty good, though.

Oh, BTW - the web site for the island band is www.funconcert.com You should check them out. Way cool....

Land's End Summer Concerts....

"Oil Drums Taken and Pounded Out Into Metal Instruments" = OD TAPO IMI
This was the way cool island band that performed on June 13th here at Harris Park in Dodgeville. Kieran and I joined Uncle Clint, Aunt Joyce and several other friends for a great concert. Very fun and a beautiful night.

Last day of school!!!

Stephen's Falls hike

We went hiking last Saturday afternoon at Governor Dodge State Park. These were from the Stephen's Falls trail. The boys and I had a great time. They spent quite a bit of time finding sticks to throw into the stream. I couldn't help but remember that it was a year ago that we did the same hiking trail with Derek, Megan and Lydia. Amazing how much can change in a year. Do you guys remember that camping weekend? We had a good time with you.

This week is definitely feeling like summer. 80's so far this week, with 90's coming later in the week with humidity. Sunday is Noah's Ark "A" day, so hopefully the hot weather will last till then. No mention of rain in sight, things are starting to shrivel up again. Feast or famine this season with the rainfall situation. But what can ya do?

We've gone Two-Wheelin' !

So yesterday was the first day that my mom had both boys for the day this summer. And guess what they come back doing? Kieran has pretty much mastered riding his bike with no training wheels, and Cayden can tie his shoes. Maybe next week they will come back with the entire bible memorized!?

Thanks to my mom for her patience and persistence in teaching my boys such wonderful things. She is an amazing Nana..

Zoo trip with Cayden's class

The three monkeys: Cayden, Lane, and Mason. This picture was very appropriate. These guys ARE wild monkeys!
Skipping rocks at the pond by the zoo.

And how many kindergarteners can you fit on a giant tortoise? (Lane, Mason, Cayden and Gracie)

The wonderful Mrs. James and some of her class at lunchtime.

Kaitlyn, Nichole, Lane, Mason, Cayden, Mrs. James, Macy, and Zach.

She is an amazing teacher and I would love for Kieran to have her when it is his turn for kindergarten.

The zoo trip went well. The rain held off and stayed cloudy, so it didn't get hot and sticky. There were at least 20-25 other schools there, so it was literally a zoo with all the kids running around. But all the kids had a blast. I enjoyed getting to know Lane and Mason's moms since we walked around together trying to keep up with the boys.

It's hard to believe that the school year is almost over. Yikes, where did the time go?

Cook out with friends!

Here are all the kids. Isn't it crazy how time has flown and how big that they all are?

The top pictures shows the guys together. Darrin is holding up the recipe for the dessert I made. (He really liked the cake....)

Last Sunday we had Rileys and Crooks over for a cookout. It was the best time. All of our kids are old enough to play constructively (sometimes destructively) on their own. I had bought bubbles, sidewalk chalk, and jumpropes for them to play with outside. The weather was perfect for them to play. The men got to bond, as did we women. Here are some pictures of the fun that was had.

It would be nice to get together like this every weekend.