Road trip!

....well, maybe 10 hours is a bit of a stretch for a road trip! This picture is us just before we left, everyone is all set up with lots of colored pencils and paper. We almost didn't go because Jim decided to try and cut off his finger with a table saw on Monday....not my most favorite phone call. On Thursday morning he went to see an orthopod, who told him at least one more week off of work (in a half cast....hot and sweaty!!!) so we decided it would be easier to spend it away from home and all of its temptations to do things that he really shouldn't!

We traveled down to Springfield, MO to see our little Eddie get married off to a great girl! On the way down we made a pit stop at Jim's brother's house near St. Louis...Corey wanted us to leave him there..I think that they had every Nerf gun ever made!!!! We finally made it to Springfield Friday night, were able to eat out and the kids got some pool time in before bed. Saturday we swam them hard so that they could sit through the ceremony. The wedding was beautiful and we got to hang out with some of our Northern Il friends (Bethany it was so fun to see you !!!!)
We also made a stop at the Bass Pro Shop. I thought it was just ok, but the boys (jim included) liked to look at the boats and atvs...bonus was that there was a Starbucks inside!!!! Other then that we just kind of hung out at the hotel pool for the rest of our stay, since Jim was one handed.

The best part of the trip was being able to see my Great Grandma J. We haven't seen here in at least 2 years. The boys were so excited! How often can kids say that they have a great-great Grandma! She will turn 91 this year. She is suffering from some dementia, but we were lucky enough to see her on a good day so it was a lot like old times.
Needless to say, we've made it back alive and well. We decided to make the entire trip back up in one day..thank you God for the video player in the Yukon!!! After a ton of laundry and a lot of unpacking, I think we are finally back to normal (hahaha..until the next crisis that is!!!!)

Back To Reality

Well, we have descended through the "Cheddar Curtain"....back to life as normal! Jamie's foot is much better..thank you for all of your thoughts and prayers!
My surprise weekend ended up being in Madison! Jim was able to get a $150 dollar room at the Sheraton for $70 through Price Line..bonus..the less he spent on the room the more he spent on me!!! (heeeheehee) The picture above is of the Capitol Building at night....the view from the lake was absolutely astonishing, but I couldn't get a good snap while driving down the John Nolan!

We ended up not getting there until pretty late, with all of the bug bite commotion. Still hadn't eaten so we decided to head down to the square. Found The Great Dane and LOVED it! I had a Dane burger (hamburger with artichoke dip....YUMALICIOUS!!!!) and Jim stayed safe with a bacon burger. Went straight back to the hotel because I was informed that we were getting up early (and I mean early) to go to Dane Counties' Farmer's Market! (yes ladies, Jim really has been listening to some of the things I mention that I'd like to do!!!!) After parking we walked past a little coffe shop called Bradbury..window said espresso..coffee...crepes......sounds like we should get breakfast! That is a Door County Cherry crepe and a latte with.....hold your breath.....latte art...HEAVEN!!! Wanted a repeat this morning, but they were closed....do you hear a road trip comming on?!?

After the farmer's market we went to The Terrace and had lunch while watching the boats and wind surfers! I wanted to get a picture of us with our feet in the lake, but Jim wasn't into that...good thing because later we found out that the beaches had been closed due to a sewage leak caused by a car accident!!!!

This weekend was really amazing...I had so much fun just walking around, eating at really cool places, trying new beers (Jim's new favorite is The Dane's Crop Circle Wheat and mine is a Belgian named after some saint that I can't remember!)! Jim went totally out of his comfort zone, tried things and guess what...I think..no...I know he had fun!!! So, we're relaxed and refreshed...back to the chaios!

Thanks Kathy for all of the awesome recommendations...brunch was wonderful at The Old Fashioned!

Thank you so much Jim for the wonderful Birthday getaway!