Wisconsin

After a packed week in St. Louis, we loaded up my mom's car and drove to Wisconsin.  We've made this drive many times, but we finally did it the right way, making extended stops at parks along the way.

On Friday, James' sister Kristy got married at a botanical garden in Madison.  Here are some of the girl cousins hanging out on the rocks.

All night long Lucy ran with this crazy crew.  If she stopped to have some cake or dance a little and lost track of them, she would come up to me and say, "Where are my cousins???"

Lucy's favorite thing to do at Grandma and Grandpa Stanley's house was feed the farm kitties twice daily.  It was a major motivator: to behave, to take a nap, to finish her meals. 

Here is Lucy concernedly calling a kitty in to eat.  "Oh, come kitty, you will be hungry!"

She only got scratched once.  Miracle.

We also had a bonfire day with the Stanleys.  Charlie hanging on the blanket with Bella.

Charlie's adoring fans.  Charlie is the first boy grandchild (out of 10).

S'mores.

Charlie and Adra. 

 Lucy enjoying her very own ice cream cone!

 A trip to Turtle Park.  There were fish who needed feeding too.

 Heading out to feed the kitties again.

Here is Grandpa's very impressive garden.  Charlie had another spell of early mornings while we were there, and I must say, I prefer walking him around the farm in the early morning much better than trying to hush him in the back room so as not to wake James and Lucy.

Some Wisconsin pictures I failed to take were one of Grandma and Grandpa with the kids (I guess that just means they'll have to come visit us soon!), and one with our friends from Madison, especially Steve and Amanda who drove all the way from the Twin Cities just to see us!  I also ate the world's largest dairy-free ice cream cone while we were in Madison.

A tearful goodbye to Grandma and Grandpa, a long drive back to St. Louis, a plane ride back to DC and we were home.  Thanks to all who visited with us!  See you next year!