Texas Trip

Rylie took her second airplane ride in two years (the first was at 9 months old to Phoenix) over Labor Day weekend to be a part of my cousin Krista's wedding in Texas. Rylie was one of the flower girls. She did great on the flight...taking off and landing didn't seem to phase her at all. It was a morning flight which is usually her best time of day, so that helped too. We have only taken direct flights, which is the only way to do it with a toddler, in our opinion. The flight home was as little different as it took place during nap time. But she had her own seat and plenty of room to play with all of the toys we packed. We had the computer and DVD's as a last resort.

Playing with her Little People on the plane

We spent a lot of time at the hotel pool

Dan bought a "lifetime membership" to Top Golf which was just down the street from our hotel

Prepping for her big role at the rehearsal



They got married at a very cool historic old Cotton Mill



Rylie did a great job at the wedding. She made it down the aisle...not with the smiles that we hoped for, but I was nervous about her even making it down the whole way with all of the people watching her. The other kids definitely helped. We didn't stay at the reception as long as we would have liked. Rylie was coming down with a cold, so we didn't get to see her bust a move on the dance floor, but we were happy she was able to be a part of it.

The cutest little flower girl

The gorgeous bride and her dad, Uncle Wobin as Rylie calls him

Luke, Lily and Rylie

Mr. and Mrs. Jeffrey

The happy couple!

We had planned an extra day into our trip to spend time with Dan's Uncle Jim and Auntie Mar. We checked out of our hotel on Labor Day and drove to Jim and Mar's. We had lunch with them and then they took us to the Dallas Aquarium downtown. We had never been anywhere like it and had great time.

Really crazy looking sharks in this tunnel

Penguins

It's really weird to see this crab moves it's legs...

Daddy and Rylie in another tunnel

Had to drive by the Cowboy's gigantic stadium

Rylie with Auntie Mar and Uncle Jim

Off to the airport!

Festival Fun

We have had some fun at several of the Milwaukee area outdoor festivals this summer. Dan and I were able to sneak away to a couple of concerts at Summerfest this year. We included Rylie in the fun for State Fair and Zoo a la carte!

Driving the milk truck in the cattle barn

Not so much wanting to pet the baby cow

Trying Michael's giant corn dog

The impossible-to-get-everyone-looking family shot

Fried butter...yummm

Post ice cream cone at the zoo

Listening to the BoDeans

The best time of year...VACATION!

We didn't get off to a great start...a flat tire about an hour and a half into our drive...but we were back on the road in about 45 minutes thanks to Tires Plus in Eau Claire! And off to a cabin for a full week. It was just what we needed since house projects consumed the first half of our summer and work just doesn't seem to ever slow down. I spent much needed time with my sweet pea, read THREE books (I cannot tell you the last time I finished one, much less 3!), and got out for a round of golf (if you could call it that) with my hubby. It was more like playing in my back yard...long grass and lots of weeds, but what do you expect out of a golf course in the town of Butternut. Dan had a lot of quiet time fishing and caught quite a few (for him anyway...he only fishes once or twice a year). It was a great time and went way too fast, as usual. I'll let the pictures do the rest of the talking...

our first morning

dock

Sunset

A vacation full of.......

lounging

swimming

fishing

puzzles

boat rides

bonfires

dips in the lake

drinking (my dad requested this picture of his drink)

QT with Uncle Patrick...

...and Papa and Gamma
 

...and Mommy and Daddy
 

brother and sister

looking for the minnow bucket...aka goldfishies

My little 2 year old!