Spring Break 2015 - Midwest tour day 7 - Lake Geneva

We decided since we were close enough to spend a day in Lake Geneva. A place near and dear to my heart, as well as where we got married. Brooke vaguely remembers visiting. Brady not at all, even though they have both spent time there, but were very young. I felt it my civic duty to give them the old tour. It doesn't put a match to the "lake tour" by Grandpa but I did my best.

 

 

We stopped by the old stomping grounds. Unfortunately, security wasn't as lax as it has been in the past, but we still were able to make the rounds despite.

 

The Abbey got remodeled, they lost the lower case A, but I like to think this is where it all started, when Grandma and Grandpa stayed here years ago.

Chucks got a outdoor deck, a nice addition.

The docks weren't put in yet, but still looked just as it did.

We luckily had a great day to be out and about walking around in the sunshine, considering 24 hours ago we were in snow,

The club house where we got married got a few upgrades from when we were there. It looks nice.

Same steps almost 17 years ago..

Brooke remembers the outdoor pool as she has a picture of herself there hanging in her bathroom. She made the connection when she saw it.

I also showed Brady a picture of him and Pampy and Grandpa swimming in this pool, he didn't believe until he saw it.

Next we ventured downtown, it still surprises me that in 20+ years and all the Chicago $$ that comes to this town, it still remains very non-commercial and the same that it was back when I was in high school, I guess that is part of its charm.

Popeye's is still going strong.

Good timing, the boat we took before our reception just happened to be pulling in for a tour as we were walking downtown.

Here we are unloading 17 years ago...

It has since gotten a nice paint job.

 

Lastly we tried to create the last time we were downtown in 2006.

Unfortunately, the fountain wasn't turned on and we were positive Brooke was on Dad's shoulders, but I just thought it was funny that these random people were okay taking a picture while a mom "cradled" her 8 yr. old son.

 

 

The best part of this day was a few weeks later when Brooke brought this writing assignment home (please don't notice the spelling - unfortunately she got that from me....) about Lake Geneva and how she knew it made me so happy to stop there on her spring break. Sweet girl.

 

Spring Break 2015 - Midwest tour day 6 - Milwaukee Brewers Game

Sometimes when you don't head south for vacation you wake up to find your car covered in ice and snow.

So we drove a few hours and found some sunshine.

It also wouldn't be a vacation with out a sporting event.

Off to watch the Brewers.

You will note that each picture is taken from a different seat/area in the stadium. Munsons on the move.....

The retractable roof is always key in April!

We told Brady that he has actually been here before, and slept through the entire game! Rewind to 2006.....

eight years later......

 

 

 

 

Spring Break 2015 - Midwest Tour - Day 5 - Mall of America

The Mall. would I go again? No. Was it worth going to? Yes. It is impressive in size, but really just your regular stores and really not a whole lot of discounted prices. With all that being said we still ended up spending almost 11 hours there and were completely entertained, our dogs were barking and our kids only went in about two stores. There was some worry about what Chris and I were embarking on as we thought the kids would repeat "Can I have that?" all day long. They each bought a cupcake from the "Cupcake War winner" and that was it. Victory!

First stop LL Bean.

Second stop......daycare...haha.

Saw all the impressive Legos.

Then immediate ride time. The rides were no joke, more impressive than I would have thought would land smack dab in the middle of a mall.

Dad convinced Brady to go on this one.

Our meeting place, luckily Brooke is a mother hen to her brother! 

 

The kids needed some encouragement to go on some of them and then they were off and running.

 This was determined to be the favorite ride. It went up to the 4th floor of the mall, pretty cool.

 

 

 The mall also has an aquarium attached to it, so that was fun to take a break from the rides.

Grabbing a bite to eat before the lazer light show begins, and giving our feet a much needed break!

 The kids were utterly confused at what this was until they finally connected with the concept that it was like an "old I-pod"

 

A fun filled day!

Spring Break 2015 - Midwest tour day 4 - Minneapolis

The beauty of a road trip and late nights = catching up on some zzz's in route for some little ones and some quiet time for some big ones....win win.

 

Minneapolis was our next stop.

We stopped by Target field where the twins play.

 

A whole new meaning for spirit fingers!

We were not able to sneak get in the stadium but there were plenty of things to keep us busy on the outside. Unfortunately the twins happen to be in Detroit that weekend. Sounds about right.

This camera shy one tried to recreate all the peanuts characters....never a dull moment with this one.

Third hotel, third pool......living the dream.

We ventured out downtown Minneapolis, and saw what sites we could.

Paid tribute to Mary Tyler Moore. This was the outdoor mall where she was in the opening credit.

The kids had no idea who she was but they were game.