Wisconsin Dells

 Craig, Rachel, Reagan, Drew, Yvonne and I went to the Wisconsin Dells over the 4th.  We had a great time but there were all kinds of heat records broke across the nation that week.  It averaged about 100 degrees during the days we were there.  The last day the temps dropped, however.  We stayed at Christmas Mountain in a very nice two bedroom cottage.

 We didn't spend much time out on the patio porch - it was too hot.  It was good for drying clothes and swimsuits though.

 Breakfast at Paul Bunyon's -in Drew's words - "he was a big guy!"

 The night of the fourth we went to the Tommy Bartlett Show.  This is a water ski show and we saw some very talented skiiers - and the clown, Aqua - a performer that Drew did NOT like!  I remember a time when his mother did not like clowns either!

 Much of the time was spent in the water.  There was a pool very close to our cottage, and one entire day was spent at Noah's Ark Waterpark.  Yvonne and I spent the day at Ho-Chunk's - and, no, we did not come home with any winnings - but we had fun and stayed cool.

 This was the second cabin we stayed in on Friday nite.  Yvonne and I slept in the loft - and this was a once up, once down kind of ladder.  Very pretty - but sure glad I did not have to go to the bathroom in the middle of the night! 

 The river was very close to the cabin, so once again the kids got to play in the water and build sandcastles.  There was also a pool that they spent time in.  Just before leaving the pool Drew said, What's those wild things?"  Here an entire family of baby racoons was under the deck by the pool.  Cute, but Craig reported them and the manager said they were going to trap and move them that night.  Some of the visitors had been feeding them so they were hanging around for a handout!

 Taking pictures of people taking pictures - Yvonne and Rachel

 The Lindsay family

 Drew got a new hat - wasn't sure he liked it at first, but then he wore it all the time.  He and his dad decided they needed to go fishing.

 Pictures of the log cabin - very nice

 Drew, watching intently, as Craig gets the pole ready.  I told Drew I expected him to catch a walleye for our lunch the next day - didn't happen!

 Notice the black shirt in pictures above and then look below.

 Drew begged all week to have the underarms of his shirt cut out - he thought he was pretty cool!  I have a feeling that shirt will get alot of wear this summer!

On Saturday we took a tour of the Dells on the Army Duck Boat.

 It was very interesting to listen to the history and formation of the Dells

 Can't remember the name of this formation - but our tour guide thinks it looks like the rear end of an elephant!

 Tatoos from the night before

We had a great time, dispite the heat, and now I am home, unpacked, clothes washed, and sharing my memories.

Reagan Gets Her Hair Cut

Reagan went to Bible Camp at Twin Lakes and then stayed with me for a couple days. I brought her back to Waterloo on Friday and that evening she was excited to get her hair cut.  Drew was not wanting to be left out of the pictures!

 As Reagan is getting an appointment, Drew, again, jumps in front of the camera and talk about "a deer in the headlights!"

 Waiting patiently for her name to be called

 This is the length of her hair before the haircut - it wasn't quite long enough to have it donated to Locks of Love

 I don't think the hairdresser got it as short as Reagan and Rachel would have liked - but it is good for starters

 Time for a style

 FINISHED!  Really cute!

Still long enough to put into a pony - and it can always be cut shorter - much cooler for the summer and swimming

Brett's Birthday and Camping

 Drew and Reagan came to Grandma Cathy's on Wednesday before Memorial Day.  They stayed Wednesday night and Thursday night.  On Friday we went to Ida Grove to play at the campground with all the kids, and Reagan ended up staying with Brett and Dane.  Drew came back with me because Rachel was to come on Friday night.  On Saturday, Rachel and Drew joined the campers in Ida Grove.

 Sunday, May 27th was Brett's seventh birthday.  He was having such a good time with his water balloon fight that it was hard to get him to take time to enjoy his cake.

 Addie and Brett getting soaked with a water fight.

 Food is always a potluck at the campgrounds.  Brett had requested hamballs, a ho-ho cake and a jello cake.  He got all three.  Grandma Patti is famous for her ho-ho cakes and we ALL know about Stacy's hamballs!

 Not sure if Brett is going to get nailed or he is going to nail someone - but have a feeling it may be both.

 It took a long time to fill those water balloons, and Brett is pretty protective of them. If you did not help fill them, you don't get to throw them.  Fill your own!

 Danny Oberhelman was very patient in helping all the kids fish.  I think they all had some success in catching at least a little one.

 Drew was pretty excited about his catch

 And so was Reagan!

 Jenna got her share of attention.  Everyone took turns entertaining her.  She did n't spend much time sleeping - too many things to watch - she doesn't want to miss out on anything -

Addy wanted to get into the pool so she sat in in with Jenna - very little water - but she was a good babysitter.

 Drew took his turn.  Jenna wasn't very happy at first but we got her positioned so everyone was happy!

 The campground was totally decorated with flags honoring those that had served in the military.  That had to have been quite a job putting them all up - and taking them down!

Everyone had a great time - and went home tired - let the summer begin!

Tulip Festival

 The outing for our retired teachers was a trip to Orange City to experience the tulip festival.  Diane W.  unfortunately  got sick the day before we were to go, and Candace ended up caring for sick grandchildren. Carol, Diane L., Nora and I, however, took off on our adventure.  I did not take alot of pictures, but our first stop was the information center where we got tickets for a horse-drawn trolley ride.  Our guide pointed out places we might want to visit. 

 We spent time in the park and imposed on another individual to take our group picture - Candace this is the best we could do!

 As beautiful and clean and well-kept as the city was, it was pretty difficult to find any tulips this year.  I looked long and hard, but I finally found four tulips still in bloom.  We were told that they replant the tulip bulbs every two years.  That is alot of work, my friend.

 We had really good seats to watch the street festival in which hundreds of children and adults participated.  They shared cultural dress and dances.  The Dutch have a very strong sense of their heritage.  It was very impressive.  I did not get any pictures of the street washing.  I was paying to close attention not to get my own shoes soaked!  They wash the streets for the queen.  The boys and the men washed, and the girls and the women scrubbed and swept - go figure!

 In the background is the throne where the queen and her court sat during the festivities.  We were sitting across from the court.  There was a little shop that specialized in poffertjes.  We  tried them after the parade.  They are little pastries about the size of a half dollar, with rum sauce and powdered sugar sprinkled on them.  They were pretty good, but very tedius to make them - in my opinion.

 The floats in the parade were absolutely beautiful.  Below are some of the ones I thought were especially nice.

 After we left Orange City we came home through Remsen, which is where Diane L. is from.  She took us to the Catholic Church and gave us a tour.  The church seats over 800 and is absolutely gorgeous.  The pictures do not do it justice.

 Two examples of the stained glass windows, which went all around the sactuary.

The is a picture of the pulpit.  We had another fun day.  It was windy and warm, but not uncomfortable.  We need to go back again sometime.