Summer Routines 2017

We have come up with some different summer routines here in the DELLS.  One of the first things I found was the local library.  The librarian is wonderful and super helpful and the children section is great.  One Thursday we ran into our friends Joel and Isaac (yes, his name is Isaac too) and read about Lightening.  Yes Lightening.  Have you met my boys?  They are always checking out the latest disaster books.  We also had a week learning about Tornadoes and Volcanos.  

 In adventures with 4 children and needing to get stuff done, I have taken the kids to McDonalds more times than I would like to admit.  BUT check out this McDonalds!  I think its nicer than some houses I have been too.  Pretty cool.

 Sometimes, lunch is exhausting.

 The library's Wednesday reading program included petting a miniature horse and pony a few weeks back.  Here the kids are watching and patiently waiting their turn.

6.7.17

NINE YEARS.

Crazy.

Many moves and children and craziness later, we are more in love than ever, and celebrated in the Wisconsin Dells this year- not part of my plan.  But where we are none the less.  We had a delicious dinner out, walked the river walk, and went to the TOP SECRET white house project...we do NOT recommend it!

Screen Free Summer 2017

In what might turn out to be the highlight of the summer, we have had a screen free summer.  There are multiple huge TVs here with access to Direct TV BUT we kept that a secret until more recently.  After LOTS of screen time on the way here, we didn't turn on the TVs.  The kids have more scraps and bruises than they have ever have from exploring around the house and riding bikes and scooters.  It's wonderful.  The caveat has been the weekends when after playing outside, we have let them watch some Disney Movies (more for our sanity than theirs).  BUT the great part is that they don't ask for it all week like at home.  I am really hoping to carry this over to home.  Friday night movies here we come!  I think breaking away from some of the routines we had at home, has been really helpful this summer.  Below was an exception.  Matt is holding an episode of Octonauts while Nate grills dinner.  

5.31.17 Tommy Bartlett Exploratory and Show!

Today we had our first full day off since getting here and although Nate has had to catch up on some work, we got to make it a vacation day in the Dells.  Which is great, because the crowds haven't arrived yet.  I am assuming come July or even June when school gets out, everything will be way more crowded!  So we headed to the Tommy Bartlett Exploratory and show.  The exploratory was a bit different than I expected, but Nate and the kids seemed to enjoy it.  Nate does have a video of me on a bike on a tightrope...  you'll have to ask him for that.  And my favorite part is we got  to walk through a real Space Station.  Its small.  And was kind of tilted.  One would need serious training for space.  Our boys are interested, but we will see where life takes them.

 Later in the afternoon we headed to the show and it was awesome. (Once the kids realized we were serious when we said no cotton candy etc.)  It reminded me if the Go-Go's Vacation Holiday Music Video and America's Got Talent.  The first half was all on the water, with water skiing and boat tricks and the second half was a group of talents who really have been on AGT.

Noah's Ark Waterpark

So I am not really a waterpark person.  I have been a few times in my life, but I by no means love them.  And I am at a point in life that I think I am over roller coasters too.  So when everyone mentioned that the Dells is the waterpark capital of the world, this did not sell me on coming here for the summer.  However, my son Isaac loves adventure and speed so he has not forgotten that we promised him waterslides and last Sunday we delivered.  We got season's passes to Noah's Ark.  Of course we didn't bring our phones in and didn't take a single picture, but we had a blast.  The kids slept well that night.

Today I went back solo with the kids, and although it was a lot of work, we had fun.  Its kind of like having a pool membership for the summer, but way more intense.  I did bring my phone this time and captured some cute shots.

Rainbow!

On Memorial Day, 30 students arrived to participate in this summer training program.  We had a BBQ to celebrate their arrival and it ended up being perfectly sandwiched between two major rain storms.  Thankfully there was a Pavillon that we stayed dry under and afterwards there was an amazing full rainbow!  We saw the whole arch, beginning to end and it was beautiful.  On the way home we ended up chasing the end of it (and saw a really cool turkey in a field too!).

Dells 2017 Week 1

Tomorrow will mark our first week in the Dells complete!  In some ways it has flown by (especially for Nate who has been working hard with the staff team to teach and make sure everything is ready) and in some ways its been slow as we figure out how to live in a basement with lots of other people and with a work schedule that isn't really set yet.  By next week, there should be a more normal rhythm to our days that will include Nate and weekends off to explore the Dells as a family.

Some Highs:

• I am really enjoying Lindsay, the wife of the director, whose family we are living with.  We had met the first year we were both married back in 2008 and she has at least been to the northeast but we haven't really seen each other since then, so we have lots to catch up on!  (and a fun face, all 3 Nav Rep couples here got married within 3 weeks of each other in June 2008- crazy!)
• The 9 kids between us are REALLY enjoying one another. 
• We haven't turned the TVs on since we got here! (for the kids that is- I did see the finale of DWTS and even watched a little late night talk shows that were DVR'r- score! yay for direct TV!)
• We have a GREAT view of the Wisconsin River.
• We have plenty of space, both for our family in the basement- 3 bedrooms, a LARGE living room and bathroom- and the shared space is just as great.
• We got a WI State park pass and went to Devil's Lake this week- just like our beloved lake Wyola- even more beautiful!
• On the way home, we scored bikes for Olivia and Isaac!  And since the driveway is flat and we brought our scooters, the kids have spent LOTS of time on the driveway.
• So far I don't think my housemates resent me, and I haven't been doing many dishes which is really nice.
• Meeting one on one for dinner last night with a team leader woman who I get to disciple this summer. I will also get to meet with a single staff woman.  
• Not one, but TWO drive thru Starbucks!

Up and coming things to look forward to:

• Date nights on Tuesdays!
• Long alone time on Wednesday afternoons
• House Dinners
• Water parks and vaca fun around the Dells- I think I've priced out and narrowed down all the things I'd like to do here this summer!

Some hard things:

• We had staff meeting at our house the first couple days and for the most part the kids did great but one of the days, I was really upset.  I ended up scooping the kids up and going for a drive, wondering why we are even here (and thinking of ways to escape- definitely my default for when things are hard.  Since I can't go home- 3 guys living in my house- I was dreaming of going to Canaan...) I came back and its worked out better since then.
• Nate really is exhausted.
• The river is too dangerous to swim in.

Overall Ive said a few times, being here reminds me of Camp.  In the actually location, rolling hill farmland where we live,  very similar to Camp Sandy Cove in West Virgina.  And in things like Walmart is really the only place to shop, is always busy, and is opened 24 hours. And living somewhere else, we are just having cereal for breakfast...  we will see if this changes as the summer goes on....

Now for some photos:

 Just after arriving in the Dells, I got coffee!  and Nate was tired...

 When we first pulled in, Sam was loving life.  He is doing better now, but it took him awhile to adjust.

 First dinner with new friends!

 Bowman Park

 Chick Fil A of course.

 After the kids were in bed last night...