Wilderness of Water

You know a vacation was good when on the way back you home you a touch of sadness. A longing to just pull a u'y, right there on the highway, to go back for just one more day. Man, I wanted lean over to Ryan and say "Honey, turn the car around. We're staying another night." Unfortunately we couldn't go back for various reasons.  Luckily we have a few hundred pictures to remember the great time we had. Don't worry I'll only post a few and not several hundred.

We took a little road trip up to Wisconsin Dells and stayed at The Wilderness on the Lake. It was simply gorgeous. My sister and her family joined us for our mini getaway. Our hotel was part of the Wilderness Territory, which contained four other hotels and water parks. We were given a bracelet and granted access to visit the other properties. And that we did.



We hopped on the water taxi and off we went.



Geesh, these two don't look anything alike.



I'm always a little nervous when we set out to go anywhere because I never know how Madison is going to act. I don't want to be that parent with the screaming child, getting the stares from others with eyes saying please shut your kid up. Therefore, we just usually stay home. But I know I can't keep her sheltered because then she will never learn how to act in public. This time our little Maddie O. showed us that she is a big girl and she knows how to act. She was so busy playing and being good that she didn't even have time to take a nap. That's right she went all weekend, playing hard as could be and you wouldn't even have known that she missed her two daily naps.







There was so much to do here that I don't even think we skimmed the surface. We visited all of the water parks within the territory and each was surprisingly different from the last.







Madison was a huge fan of the water slide.







Although, she wasn't too happy with her Mama for taking her down this bigger slide....



But we quickly made up.



There were inches of water for the little ones and depths of thrills for the older ones.





Heck, we couldn't get enough of the water and each other that we even took baths together.





Alright, now that just sounds a little strange and creepy. For clarification, we had a giant hot tub in our condo and we were wearing our bathing suits.





I'm already anxious to go back. There was so much to do and see. It was relaxing and the kids had just as much fun as the adults. This trip was the definition of a great vacation. Logan gave it two thumbs up!



Now, it is hotter than hot here so.....we've got to go find some more water to play in. Bye!

Water Logged

We had a scorcher of a weekend. Other than staying inside in the air conditioning, there isn't a better way to beat the heat than to play in water. So, that is exactly what we did. All weekend.

Saturday we were invited to a cookout and water slide party. I quickly accepted because who doesn't like food and water? Right?





As usual, Madison stood back to observe before warming up. When we find ourselves in new situations, Madison becomes a quiet observer. She remains on the side of the action, quietly looking. Upon taking the scene in, she gets right in the action always proceeding with a bit of caution.



Caution is always good because you never know when a boy might be lurking around.



There were about nine kiddos in attendance, Madison being the youngest. We Mamas sat in the grass and soaked up some rays while shouting out "Be nice." every now and again.



It was funny how the kiddos separated themselves into two groups: boys and girls. The girls played quietly with their babies. (Baby was of course in attendance as well.)





The boys on the other hand preferred a bit more action







It was such a fun afternoon. I love watching Madison interact with other kids but even more I love watching my friends love my daughter.

Sunday brought us another beautiful warm day so we headed over to Nana's pool but before we got there we paused for a little photo shoot.



A little photo shoot with a toddler is not easy. She's at the stage where everything is new to her and she must explore. She kept taking off down the sidewalk or alley therefore, I kept getting shots of the back of her head. While the back of her head is cute and all, I would really prefer to see her face. I shouted out to her "Madison sit down and say cheese." She actually did it....



Of course, Baby was glued to her arm. When we moved locations, I left Baby in the car, on purpose. Oh my you would have thought I left a real baby in the car because she was determined to get back to the car to retrieve Baby.



To get her mind off of Baby, I sang and Madison sang right along.





"No more Mommy."



Before my camera battery died, I did capture our little water bug playing in the sprinkler at Nana's house.







It was such a great weekend and I know there are many more to come. Although now we must pack because we're going on a weekend trip to Wisconsin Dells. So, gotta go!

"Are you ready?"

Madison replaced her pacifier with her baby doll.  She takes this baby doll everywhere we go and we have learned not to forget baby.  Baby doesn't have a given name.  We call her baby thus her name has just become Baby. 

Madison loves anything that involves Baby.  I haven't posted a video in awhile so I thought I would share this one we took this evening.  We were having fun on the slide and with Baby.  Baby takes a beating, I tell ya.  Enjoy!

New and Old Friends

We had a special treat this evening. One of my long time friends, we became friends in the sixth grade, is home visiting her family. We were lucky enough that she had time to squeeze in a little visit with us too. I was anxiously looking forward to this visit because she was bringing her little guy, Jaxson, with her.



Jaxson is almost 14 months and this is the first time we have met. Yes, that is how long it's been since I've seen my friend. But like all friends do, we caught right up on our life's happenings, shared Mama stories and watched our two little ones play. Jaxson has a love for baby dolls, that his daddy isn't too fond of so this little guy went hog wild with Madison's toys. Pushing Maddie's baby dolls in a stroller and shopping cart both of them pink at that. (Sorry Jason)



Maddie Cakes struggled with sharing Baby but she was good with letting him play with everything else, pretty much.





Per Madison's request we ventured outside. Jaxson was quite the gentleman.



It appears as if he is saying "You have a good evening Ma'am." but I'm not quite sure. I still struggle with deciphering baby babbles.



The two of them had a great time playing with one another. Madison made sure he was aware that she was the boss and he made sure that she knew he was no push over.





I can't wait to see these two the next time we get together. Hopefully we won't have as big of a time gap between our meetings next time.