Withee

What? Withee. Go ahead get out a Wisconsin map or I suppose you'll just google it, but that's not a real challenge. Withee, go find it.

We did it! We finally got to get away and have a little vacation. We crammed our family of 6 into Grandma Eleanor's house with Deb and Rudy's family of 4 and had a blast. Of course, there was Uncle Rudy's semi truck for some to sleep in, but mostly just the generous Weisenberger family that kicked themselves out of the entire upstairs and let us take over while they bunked here there and every which where. They fed us, played with us, and gave us hugs (hey wait this is starting to sound like a luxurious doggy day spa) ahem, we shared great conversation, played sophisticated games with straight faces, and dined well. There that's better :)

We got to see Grandma Lockhart on the way to Withee at our stop to Eau Claire Dells. It's near Wausau, where Sam's parents live. Thankfully no one decided to plummet to their death, although Addie tried pretty hard; "I want to jump in the water and swim like the fishies Mommy!" And she took us out to a real restaurant, a fish fry even! What a treat. We also got to spend some time there on our way back. Grandma made Ellie a special strawberry shortcake birthday treat and Grandpa took us on a pontoon boat ride on Lake Wausau and all up, down, and around the Big Rib river. Then he treated us to steak to go with Grandma's yummy chicken soup. Good eats, fun times, and all for a couple tanks of gas. We felt so blessed to be able to take this fun trip. thanks to all who made our time so wonderful.

Teaching his boy to skip rocks on Grandpa's pond

The birthday girl driving the boat

Getting ready to set sail - wait it's not a sail boat

what do I say then?

Ellie's birthday strawberry shortcake with almond

flavored whipped cream, yum.

cousin Tony, Grandpa, Grandma, and our gang

Don't mind Zackary, he's a 9 year old boy on a mission

to be noticed :)

Riding around G&G's property with Grandpa.

"Mom we even got to go through Grandpa's creek.

The tires on the 4 wheeler even got wet, and so did my shoes!"

Sam, Grandma Eleanor, and Deb; and Grandma's last quilt.

Her eyes just aren't what they used to be, so at 91 she has decided

this is her last. But then again I thought I got her last one when

she visited last summer. You just never know with Grandma. She just

keeps on going, amazing.

There is a large Amish presence in Withee and the surrounding area.

No none of Sam's relatives are Amish. However, his mom's side of the family has

lived there, or very near there, since before the turn of the century.

Horse and buggies are a regular sight and the children sure enjoyed seeing them.

Cousin Tony, Uncle Rudy, Great Grandma Eleanor, Aunt Debbie

cousin Alex, cousin John, and all our brood the night of Ellie's

birthday party (one of two) with her birthday jello from Aunt Debbie.

It really paid off for Ellie having her birthday with family. She got

to celebrate and be the special birthday girl for 4 days!

Yummy blueberry birthday jello

Playing games with cousins

Playdough with Aunt Debbie

Washing dishes at Great Grandma's just like Daddy used to

when he was growing up.

What is the world coming to when you need a sign like this?

Just saying.

Eau Claire Dells

Sometimes you just luck out and get the picture that says it all.

Sorry for your pain buddy, but it sure was great to cram you all

into that tunnel made from tree roots, wasn't it now? ;) Jacob

is not in pain, he was saying cheese, nice.

Sometimes you just gotta jump in the picture

and do something funny. Sometimes.

I was just a tad nervous, just a tad. You see, Addie does not

walk anywhere, she runs. Not only does she run but she runs

as though there is a safety net surrounding her at all times.

A friend in LA said it best while watching her at the park about

a year ago. "She really has no sense of self preservation does she?"

Nope she doesn't, which makes for an amazing life full of adventure, for her.

And for me, some laughing gas might be good sometimes!

You can't tell from the picture but they are up rather high

and surrounded on three sides by water. Shallow water, but enough to drown

a child. Especially after they've been knocked unconscious by

the rocky cliffs. Again, just saying. I survived and even enjoyed myself.

It really was most beautiful :)