Winter Getaway '11

Every summer we going on a camping trip with some friends. They're also a trucking family so its nice to get together away from the "lifestyle". This year we decided to do a winter trip as well. Ryan and I had sat through a timeshare presentation at Glacier Canyon in the Dells a few years ago. They mentioned some owners rent out a portion of their time using ebay or craigslist and it covers their yearly maintenance fees. I decided to take advantage of that and found a 3 bedroom presidential condo for just $369 for the two nights we wanted to stay. The condo was AMAZING!
2 of the rooms had king size beds and their own bathroom with a jacuzzi.

Tim and Rose's Room




Me and Ryan's Room




All 4 older kids shared the 3rd bedroom.


There was a 3rd full bathroom across the hall from them as well.

We also had a full kitchen and dining room and a giant living room with a gas fireplace....like I said, amazing!







Thursday evening, Wednesday, and Friday morning we spent in the 3 waterparks. The kids had a blast.

Landon and Tim



Ryan and Sawyer













Danica wasn't very enthused with the water. Mostly because of all the splashing and noise everyone else made.




We could have used our waterpark passes all day Saturday after we checked out but the boys were so exhausted by noon we decided to call it a day.




Wednesday morning we went to a resort breakfast and 30 minute timeshare presentation. We were given $125 in gift certificates to the Pizza Ranch in the Dells. They had a great buffet and great service.









On the way out of town I convinced Ryan to stop at a vintage photo shop and have some new pictures taken. The last ones we had done at Wall Drug on our way home from our first trip in the semi together. Landon was about 8 months old.





After pictures we drove to Brakebush and spent the night there. It was snowing hard and the roads were very sloppy and slippery and I didn't want to risk driving as tired as I was on top of the weather.



The boys got to go for a ride around the yard with Ryan while he hooked up his trailer and scaled. They were super excited to check out the truck. This morning we loaded up and came home when Ryan was ready to take off. Its always so nice to get back home after a busy vacation. Chores are done, Danica is napping, supper is almost done, and Sawyer and I are going to cuddle up and watch How to Train Your Dragon. Great ending to a wonderful long weekend.

One Year Photos

Danica was NOT in the mood for pictures. After getting some help from my little sister and brother and a snack and nap break we were able to get a few pictures.  Very thankful Teresa (our friend and photographer) is so patient.

Danica's First Birthday

We celebrated Danica's first birthday yesterday.  23 people made quite a houseful.  The weather didn't cooperate like we expected and shortly after everyone arrived the snow really started coming down. A few of our guests had to leave shortly after arriving because the roads were quickly getting messy. We're happy they made it, even for a short time.   We had lunch first... hot beef and gravy sandwiches, sloppy joes, cheesy hashbrowns, bacon ranch pasta salad, and my step-dad's famous baked beans







Mom Danica opened gifts.







And then CAKE!

(she didn't know what to make of all the people singing at her)








It's good! You want some?



Look Mom, No hands!



Yum!



A quick bath to clean up...



Then out to the ridge to do some sledding.

Amber, Anabel, Danica, and I rode my snowmobile out to the hill together. It was a very interesting ride. Wish we would have gotten a picture with all 4 of us on my sled together.





The boys (even the big ones) loved sledding!











The girls...



Not so much.



They did, however, seem to enjoy the snow.







Danica thought it was even comfy enough to take a nap.



We went back in to warm up and dry off and relax after everyone left. Danica's birthday party was lots of fun and we're thankful to all who came to help us celebrate!