VACATION: Part One

When I was younger, my sisters and parents, as well as my mom's parents and sisters, went on vacation for quite a few years to Lake Petenwell in Wisconsin. My aunt knew a guy in construction that had built his "retirement" home but was using it on occasion for his family and friends to enjoy "now". So fast forward to last year and my parents decided that we would go there for a week in the summer as just "our" family (Mom, Dad, my sisters and their families). So last year we went and had a BLAST! Lillian and Emma were still "on the way" and my new brother-in-law was only a boyfriend as of last year.

This year we did the same trip. And what a week it was!

Ankica doesn't really like PB&J, can you tell? But she was encouraged to try it anyway...


Lillian was actually at a "bad" stage for vacation this year. She doesn't walk yet but she crawls a TON, so that meant a few things...she couldn't be outside without being either held, sitting in her highchair or being in the pool. This was one of her more sedate moments outside that didn't result in splinters in her knees.

My sister, Jodi, has two stepdaughters and the oldest, Shayla, has one younger sister from when her parents were married, and her mother has two new children, as do Jodi and Dennis. So Shayla is a "professional big sister" as I like to say, but she loves kids. Lillian and her really hit it off :-)

One of the few moments Ankica wasn't in the pool or getting in someone's business...

Almost all of the girls: Ankica, Katy, Felicia, Julia, Shayla, and Lillian. This was on the last day that Shayla and Felicia would be there so the older four girls made bead bracelets from Katy's stash.

Coloring out on the deck. When swimming was "off limits" for Julia (which happened now and again), the rest of the girls were usually nice enough to join her in her punishment and do something else instead.


Lillian is quickly starting to understand what a phone does. What girl doesn't learn that early? :-)


Here is my mom reading to a bunch of kids. Sophie is on her lap, then Katy, Ankica, and Julia. Shayla couldn't find room :-)

The job of a grandparent is never done. Here is my dad reading to Sam and Emma. Emma is doing so well...you wouldn't really guess by looking at her that she was over three months early. Her scars are brutal but getting better all the time apparently. She'll need some physical therapy soon and she is still so skinny but SUCH a happy baby!

Requisite beautiful baby picture. We are already stocking up on ammunition for when the girls grow up.
Sam and Ankica are six months apart and had a blast together. Ankica loved to tickle Sam and he usually stole her sippy cup :-)


Some days Lillian had a hard time falling asleep. So my wonderful husband would take her for a stroll while I played games with my family. Some favorites were canasta and Ticket To Ride (and addictive game...)

When I was nice enough to give Loran a break from kid duty, he spent alot of time reading. He read that WHOLE book in just four or so days! Go honey!

One of the poses that we saw Jodi and Emma in the most often. Emma's tummy still doesn't quite handle her formula the best and burping is a big must for her.


More to come........