This weekend was a circus!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 
 

 

 

 

We traveled to Madison over Valentine's Day weekend for some extreme birthday celebrating for Cece's cousins. The many activities included a hotel pool party, a visit to Play N with swing sets and trampolines, and last, but not least, a trip to the Zor Shrine Circus.

In my next life (or perhaps in my next career), I think I'd do a fine job in the circus. I have a penchant for sparkly stretchy clothes, gigantic animals, and any kind of aerial acts. Obviously, I have what it takes. I'll keep you posted...

Our family still had a fine time as spectators. However, Cece did fall asleep during the second half of the show. She managed to sleep straight through the motorcycle stunts and the guy being shot out of a canon. Typical toddler.

While she was still awake, she enjoyed the other acts and all of her circus souvenirs. Joe also bought C and I tickets for an elephant ride during intermission which we both were thrilled about. She kept saying, "Daddy! I riding elephant!" The only thing she may have loved more was the cotton candy.

 

By the way, it's really hard to take nice photos at the circus! Everything is super far away, cables and ropes are dangling everywhere, and the lighting is crazy. Tips, anyone?

Hope everyone had a good weekend and a lovely Valentine's Day. I already managed to eat the huge box of Lindt chocolates Joe bought for me and I'm considering asking for another one.
(#preggoproblems)
 

An Extreme Birthday Weekend

 

We drove to Madison this weekend to participate in an epic birthday celebration for Samantha and Michaela, our super sweet nieces. The multi-part party first consisted of Pump it Up (aka, an inflatable good time). All of the kids obviously had a blast, but it's possible that I've never seen Joe and my brother-in-laws ever have so much fun. Ever. And to be honest, I was sliding, jumping, and climbing with equal enthusiasm. This weekend also served as a good reminder that we are not as young as we used to be with the amount of soreness that followed.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

After all of that bouncing, sliding, and boxing with comically oversized gloves (not pictured), we headed back to the hotel so everyone could nap (adults included). Then we regathered for a pool party.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Part three was present opening and sloppy Joes at the Olsons. By then I felt like I had run a marathon (or at least a 5K). I could do little else besides slouch on the couch and nibble my way through four two sloppy Joe sandwiches. Although I was bummed for the weekend to end, it's probably for the best. I think I need just one more day to recover from all of the activity. And we weren't even there for as long as some of the family was!

 

Happy birthday, once more, Samantha and Michaela! We love you girls!

Road trip!

C and I took a couple of days this week to drive down to Madison to visit her new cousin Michaela (and new proud parents, Luke and Drea). After being cooped up in the house last week, it was fun for us to enjoy some sunshine during the ride and get a change of scenery. The two of us had a sweet little date at the Dunkin Donuts in Wisconsin Dells as Cece had to say hello to everyone while we took a break.

Our visit was low-key, mainly lady and baby activities, eating hotdish, and catching up.  And oodles of new baby snuggling. Siiiigh. It was so cute to see C as a big cousin. Thanks again for having us! And congrats again!

My thoughts are warm...

It's mid-November which naturally means... it snowed a bunch yesterday. Other than the first official dumping of the white stuff, it has been a fun month. Joe, Cece, and I (along with much of Joe's family) ventured to Madison last weekend to celebrate the twins' birthday. I never thought I would utter the words, but it really was Wisconsiny fun! We had dinner at this old, converted farm house, went bowling, ate ourselves silly all weekend, and even took a tour of the Wisconsin Crime Lab, courtesy of Luke. We stayed in a hotel for the first time as an entire family. (Jumping on the king-size bed, anyone?) And it was the first time in a very long time that we were able to wake up together and not have Joe rush off to work. (Which meant just lounging in the king-size bed, and BREAKFAST, but it was glorious)

There have also been other fun Novemember activities which include, but are not limited, to dog park visits, baby play dates, getting all bundled up for fall family walks, and more. And of course there have been many little, wonderful, food-related things. Such as... the return of Starbucks holiday drinks, a Cheesecake Factory run (because friends don't let friends eat cheesecake alone), and my own cooking. I made a BBQ chicken pizza! And I don't mean the frozen kind! Below is my iphone's documentation of the above. Bear with me as I figure out this photo stuff...Very much looking forward to the holidays. Cece may or may not have a turkey hat to wear. Stay tuned.