labor day 2011

We headed up North for Labor Day this year! All the way to Door County Wisconsin. Amy invited the gang up to her family's house in Egg Harbor for a weekend fun of beaches, campfires, smores, wine and fun! We could not let a 10 hour drive get in our way, especially when back patios and wine was included! So we packed the kids up and made our way north. Our trip came to a sudden hault in Staunton, IL (one hour out of STL) when I looked over and Ellie's eyes were glazed over. She had a bit of a greenish tint and I wanted to scream "ELPHABA! Why must you keep flying off the handle like that?".. but no, I didn't, I didn't have time.. because in two second flat Ellie had barfed all over herself and her carseat. Poor girl. Carsick. I guess it was the Steak n Shake, or the movement of the car, or the iPhone she was playing on, or the iPad she was using. What rookie parents! So, we pulled over on the side of the road and gave her a bath with a bottle of evian and a few diaper wipes. Of course John decided he was STARVING right then and there and started screaming his head off. People stopped to see if we were okay "yeah, we are fine, just rookie parents taking our kids on a really long road trip". After posting a status on FB, I was relieved to know that a little Benadryl can take the edge off of being carsick, and luckily I had just that in my front seat. After a bath, a cup of water, a diaper change and some jammies, we were again on our way! We first stopped in Chicago and spent the night at Sean and Catherine's. They just upgraded to a king size bed and the Petersons took over. I seriously don't know how Ellie's feet end up in my mouth even in a king size bed. Regardless, we need one. PRONTO. Excellent purchase Sean and Kiks. We will be coming to crash more often :)
In the morning we stopped for breakfast with Aunt Cece before meeting some of our crew and continuing on our way.
Ellie and John were awesome in the car after the first initial road block. Ellie didn't ask to get our of her seat once and barely made a peep. As long as I continued wedged in the backseat between their seats playing games with her and rubbing John's head, all were happy. Mommy was exhausted.

We got up to Door County around 2pm or so and got settled. The Wessel's 'compound' is large enough that all of us were in our own room with our own bathroom. Amy gave us the biggest room and we layed out all of our stuff. We travel with a LOT of stuff.
I will let the pictures do the talking as my lunch break is comign to a fast end.. but even though the weather did not turn out the way we wanted it too (cold, rainy, no beach) we had the best time laying around the house, sitting out on the back deck, eating, drinking and watching Ellie run wild.
Ellie enjoyed breakfast out on the deck in the mornings and making everyone their coffee

Discussing current events with her new friend Katie. Ellie: "I heard you did a mobile upload last night after a few glasses of chard" Katie: "I did WHAT?"

Amy and her buddy Johnny. Everyone was soo good with the kids. Not sure if they all still WANT children, but I think we all did okay :)

Jim and Kate reading to John and Ellie. Jim's stories were complete with animal voices and sound effects. He may or may not have been drinking.

 Our mode of transportation for the week. Why do these things have to be so massive?

Beautiful Egg Harbor, WI. We could sit and watch the boats all day! Sunday was probably the nicest of all the days, but also the coolest. Not too many boats zipping around the bay.

 Amy and Corbs. Amy looking chic in her labor day whites! Thanks for hosting us Corbins!!

Nathan and Katie. Nate had just schooled the other boys in a round of golf. Katie's phone is in her hand, about to upload..

The newlyweds! Jim and Kate! We are so happy they came up. Jim and I spent a lot of time Sunday night finding a cure for most diseases.

Attempt number one at a family picture. These are getting harder and harder these days! Ellie sort of hates the camera

 Attempt #2....

 Attempt #3... can we just photoshop Ellie out of all of them??

 John enjoying a morning with the girls..

"Stars, their just like us.. they go to Door County!" Jim thought he was the paparrazi with our big "mom camera" and had fun taking 800 of these pictures. And Chris like really liked them. He kept hissing at me "Megan, smile" "Megan, come stand by me" "Megan, pretend we are having fun".

 yahnny!!

 Attempt #4..

 Kate and Jim..

 Nate and Katie (mobile uploaded)

 Ams and Corbs...

 Ams and Corbs being models.. Seriously LOVE this picture.

 Chris modeling.

The kids playing in the big bed! We woke up a *BIT* earlier than everyone else in the house.. so we played games and had fun in our room.

On Sunday after a couple of happy hour drinks everyone decided to take a nap. Our kids were just waking up from theirs. So we decided to get the heck out of dodge and let everyone sleep. We became the ultimate adults and "took a drive". We drove through all the little towns along Door County and made a little stop for some ice cream at a really cute place called Wilson's!

Ellie sporting her new sweatshirt that Amy got her and eating a "cone". She could seriously eat cones and popsicles all day long.

Everybody say 'Cation 2011!! We had so much fun on our little mini vacation with some of our favorite people!

Thank you so much Amy, Corbs, and Mr & Mrs Wessel for letting us take over your digs for Labor Day! The perfect family vacation spot!

 We can't wait to head back up for Labor Day 2012 ;)