This year we took our first family vacation....our destination being a small family lake cabin in the northwest corner of Iowa on the border of Minnesota. We decided to drive with the knowledge of making overnight stops at my parents in Chicago and the in-laws in Iowa before the four hour trek to the cabin.
In Chicago we stopped at Santa's Village. This place has been around for such a long time...my mom remembers going there as do I. It was closed down for quite awhile and just reopened a month before our visit. It is such a cute little park filled with kitchy north-pole style buildings. I love being able to go to a place that caters only to younger kids. No big roller coasters....just lots of fun vintagey rides for the little ones. We adults enjoyed ourselves as well!
Say cheese!...
the big Santa slide...
Boden is serious about his rides...
Riding horses...
Petting zoo...
A stop for ice cream and treats of course...which became a daily occurance...
On our way to the in-laws we made a pit stop for lunch and in the parking lot was a neat racing car on a trailer. The owner proudly showed off his car and kindly allowed Boden to take to the wheel.
Acting a little shy at first...
After filling our bellies we headed off to the lake. This is where we landed for five days...
Making sand castles...
Lots of laughs at Arnolds Park...especially the fun house...
Canoing....just Nissa and the guys...
After Boden got wind of the ride he, of course, wanted in on it so Granny Donny suited him up...
His enthusiasm waned after he got in the canoe. He looked like this as they set off...
Swinging on the beach...
Everyone wants a turn in the most comfortable spot in the backyard...the hammock...
Fishin'...
and more fishin'...
I'm off to go running on a beautiful trail that meandered in meadows by a farm with wildflowers spilling over the path. It was like being in a dream. But first I have to take the little man over to check out the frogs and carp...
Airing out her blankets on the clothesline...
Best buddies...
Playing ball with Great Grandpa...
Listening to great stories from Great Grandpa Donald...
Still small enough to fit in the sink for a scrub down from Granny. Don't mind those sharp knives right above his head..yikes!...we had that later taken down before one dropped and cut off a butt cheek...
Quieting down after a long day of outdoor play...
The thing about vacations for me is that they give me time to think about life and remember how grateful I am for my family. The kids wanted to spend lots of their time with their grandparents and I'm glad for that. The kids are so blessed to have wonderful grandparents that love them, spend time with them and teach them things along the way. Boden and Nissa camped on the beach with Gramps and learned how to tie knots. They read books and painted toe nails. Ryan played lots of golf and I finished a book, went running and spent time in antique shops. It was probably one of my best vacations ever.
It all sounds absolutely wonderful. I think Iowa is beautiful; we've only driven through it, but I loved the feel of it.
Posted by: Visty | July 06, 2011 at 11:01 AM
Looks wonderful! Your pictures are beautiful and so are you...inside and out! Love you!
Posted by: tj | July 06, 2011 at 11:05 AM
sounds wonderful...a far cry from the disney "vacation" we took this year (ha ha).
Posted by: beki | July 06, 2011 at 02:41 PM
Sounds amazing. Glad you got some time away.
Posted by: Korissa thomason | July 07, 2011 at 11:26 AM
Love this! We are getting away to Sunriver, OR at the end of the month, hoping it will be similarly relaxing and FUN! xoxo, miss you!
Posted by: Katie | July 07, 2011 at 02:04 PM
What a fun and relaxing vacation! I am so glad you guys finally got to go on one! I love seeing pictures of all you guys too! TJ is so right...you are beautiful!! Love you!
Posted by: Tracy | July 08, 2011 at 01:37 PM