Hitting the road

So we hit the road today for our week out west. After a little dispute with Budget rent a car we ended up with a Toyota Rav 4. We didn't want to pay for gas in the Avalanche so I rented a full size car. When I picked up the car at the Milwaukee airport it was a Ford Fusion. I asked them if they had anything else cause that car looked a little small for a full size car. They told me that was all they had so I took it home. I looked on their website and it said that the Fusion was an intermediate car. I called Budget and they told me that at the Milwaukee airport it was considered a full size. I told them that they couldn't have the car listed in two classes. When I reserve a full size car I expect to be able to fit everything in it, including the two kids. They would have been squashed in that car. I decided to pack up the car to see if everything would fit. No surprise that it didn't. I called Budget again and was told they didn't have anything. Arrrrrr. Josh called and finally got through to someone at the Milwaukee airport and we ended up with a SUV. I wasn't too thrilled cause I wanted something with decent gas mileage but it turned out that the Rav 4 was a 4 cylinder so we got pretty good gas mileage! Not the best start to vacation but we got a vehicle that we fit comfortably into and wasn't' too bad to drive.




We actually got on the road at about 5:30 and made it to LaCrosse, WI for breakfast. After a nutritional McDonald's breakfast I realised that we didn't have a sippy cut for Ky and that would make for a messy car ride. I ran into Target and bought two cups and a Backyardagains CD to keep the kids happy for 30 min. Back on the road. The drive in S. Minnesota isn't that great. I-90 sucks! it's so fricken bumpy. The kids were in the back making going over the bumpy road noises. Nice! We stopped for lunch at the Des Moines River rest area in MN. It was nice to get out of the car. The kids played on the playground and we ate sandwiches. Then it was back in the car.

Good sandwich



Lunch



Play time

We made it to a pull off overlooking the black hills and ran around for a few minutes. The wind was blowing hard and I was freezing even though the temp was still in the 70s. We didn't drive through the black hills. Maybe next time. We eventually made it to our destination of Rapid City. We stayed at the Days Inn. I used Priceline to get us two rooms and we we got in our rooms there was one bed. That wasn't going to work. The only other rooms they had were smoking. Josh's parents and sister took a smoking room and we got a roll away bed for the kids. It worked but I did learn to call the hotel to confirm your rooms after you reserve it through priceline (which I love by the way). After we checked in we went to dinner at a bar/grill place. It was pretty good! After dinner it was off to bed cause we had a busy day planned!



The Black Hills

Ky ready for bed

Another day at the Milwaukee Zoo

I took the kids up to the Milwaukee zoo for a member's only night. The zoo stayed open till 9 and there were food vendors and bands. The weather was great and we all had an awesome time! The shark and sting ray exhibit was free so we went to check it out. Of course Casey did not want to touch them. He just likes to look at stuff! He's so silly at times. Ky didn't want to touch them either which was fine with me. One less time we have to wash our hands! It was such a beautiful night and the kids were looking 1/2 way decent so I wanted to get some good pictures. For once Casey let me get some good pictures but Ky was being a little snot. We walked a ton so they were nice and tired by the time we left. Of course we ended the night with a train ride and some ice cream!


Ky started off the night crabby but finished with a smile!


At the sting rays


At least I got one good pic.


Ky kind of posing.


Casey posing nice!


Snack break



Checking out the polar bears


Casey giving me a break





On the choo choo



The only way to end a day at the zoo...

Happy Father's Day

Hope all you Dads had a great father's day. I know Josh probably didn't. He put a new roof on the garage. His dad came up to help and his sister and Casey joined him. They got it done and now it doesn't leak in the garage! Great job guys! My brother and sister-in-law stopped by for a visit on their way to Minnesota from N. Carolina. It was great to see them! We went out to lunch and then hung out. I think it's been 18 months since I last saw my brother! He wanted to keep Casey but Casey didn't want to live with Uncle Paul. After Paul and Katie left I took Casey and Ky to a birthday party and Josh and Laura took their parents out to dinner. On Sunday they trimmed up the trees. The trees look good but now we have a ton of branches to get rid of.


Ky looking cute for her daddy


Ky with her Godparents


Casey trimming the tree


Ky wanting to go in the tree

Camping

This past weekend we went camping at Kohler-Andrae State park in Sheboygan, WI. It was very pretty there and the weather cooperated with us. Kohler-Andrae state park in right on Lake Michigan (or if you prefer Michigan Lake like Casey does) and it is full of sand dunes. We spent most of the day Sat. on the beach. The water was freezing but the air and the sand were nice and warm. I wish I had my camera at the beach but I didn't so I have not cute pictures of the kids in the sand. They did have a nice boardwalk over the marsh land that was by our campsite. The kids enjoyed that. I got some nice pictures of Ky but Casey is in the goofy face stage and won't give me a good picture. Casey earned a Jr. Ranger patch that he's very proud of. He can earn three more when we head out west for vacation at the end of the month.


Casey & Ky eating dessert by the tree


Casey's 4 marshmellow smore


Ky's marshmellow face (I think she had two in her mouth)


Ky will pose for a picture


Casey will NOT!


Almost a good pic


On the boardwalk


Ky being goofy