Wautoma '10 - It Takes a Village

Wautoma '10

We headed to the Maio cottage a few weekends ago for our annual getaway weekend with our college friends (I use the term 'getaway' loosely. There's only so much getting away that 8 parents can do when there are 6 kids under 2 1/2 running about). The good thing about that many families in one cottage is that there is always bound to be a grown up in any given room, and therefore there is considerably less concern over who's watching whom. There is, however, a lot more, "is a grown up in the living room?" and "wait...where's my kid?" followed by "in here!".

There is also a lot of food.

It's what I imagine spending a weekend at the Duggar's would be like

Fortunately the weather was very, very favorable for swimming. The big news from the weekend is that Genevieve decided that swimming was the thing for her. We've been trying to get her in past her little ankles all summer, but have only been met with hysterics. We've kept trying again and again (and have been accused by a grandparent - whose identity will remain classified - as "permanently traumatizing her"), but it paid off and suddenly we couldn't keep the girl out of the water. She wanted to be in her floatie, she wanted to be thrown in the air, and she even wanted to 'jump' off the dock. Matt and I couldn't shut up about how shocked we were.

Thinking about her next move


Mentally preparing herself. Look at the concentration.


JUMPING (sort of)!


Dad, I can't believe I didn't try this earlier!


Two peas in a floating pod


Kick, kick, kick


Wheeeeeeeee!


She even climbed up the ladder practically on her own to do it, "again, again, again"


Parents: Miles, are you coming in big guy?
Miles (in his head): oh hell no. I will stand here and look cool instead.

But that was nothing compared to E-man.

Want to see four moms gasp in unison?


Ethan went all the way under time and time again. And every time he would pop up coughing and choking a little, then immediately demand "AGAIN!". Somebody get his mom a Valium.

We spent all the time we could outside, whether in the lake, digging in the dirt, cruising on the boat, all the while juggling various nap and meal rotations. We had a great time hanging with the kids, and an even better time once the little ones hit the hay. The only real down-side was the epic number of mosquitoes who had the feast of a lifetime at our expense. Long sleeves, long pants, and deet be damned, they powered through it all and no one escaped unscathed.

Anyway, here are piles-o-pictures from the weekend, and here is a link to a video that Robin did that is seriously Oscar-worthy. Not sure when or how she found the time, but I absolutely love it and it sums up the weekend perfectly.

Hey Alana, let me give you a spin

Miles (2 and change) Ethan (2 1/2) GG (nearly 2)
Henry (6 months) Alana (10 months) and Addison (11 months)


Miles taking snuggles from any spare mom with a warm towel


Oh...my

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Dads, daughters, and floaties


Auntie Robin takes the big kids on a scavenger hunt in the woods.


We found treasures, and hydrocortisone cream! Yay!


Alana chillaxin


Watching carefully for the shark


There he is!


Two pairs of shades. Love this girl.


I will gladly pay you Tuesday for a snack today


Putting the swing & slide to good use


Henry aka the bug, looking adorable


Playing baseball, just like the big boys


The little girls gossiping


Addison being thoroughly entertained by big bro Ethan


Peace out

We spent the last weekend in July somewhere I'd never been: Iowa. The occasion was the wedding of Matt's college buddy's wedding. Kevin and Leigh were married in Davenport in a lovely church, and had a charming ceremony. We headed back to the hotel where we met up with the Harms' and the Kroenings before hitting the reception. One of the unifying activities of Kevin and Leigh's relationship is baseball, so they had their reception at the minor league park in Davenport:

It was a super cool venue. Cocktail hour was on one level and dinner was on the suite level. Guests had access to the stadium, the bleachers, and, if you were bold enough, the dugout.

Scott & Kyle: the coaching dream team


Matt supervises

Although we would see our friends again soon, the last time we had seen each other before this weekend was way back in early February for SuperBowl. The best part of it all? All of the kiddies stayed at home. Nary a tot was to be found and it was great! Matt and I couldn't believe (a) how quiet the car ride was, and (b) how fast it was without having to make hour-long pit stops. We didn't forget about Squishie though. When we stopped in Dixon, Illinois (boyhood home of Ronald Reagan) for gas, we plotted how we will one day make our kids take odd roadside tours and how much we will enjoy watching their eyes roll as they text their friends about how lame their parents are.

Helllloooooooooo ladies


CIA? FBI? Best Buy employees?


The gang


Kid free!

After dinner the party got started. It was like a college reunion for the guys, and a lot of fun for us gals too. Fortunately we are all danceaholics so the floor was packed the whole night.

The adorable bride & groom

Shakin' it


I have this picture from every wedding we've been to since 2003

The boys really started to feel their libations and the ladies and I stepped out of the way. Not a moment too soon, either, as one of us was soon to be on the DL:

He's down folks


Receiving medical guidance from the assaulter


And he's ok!

Halfway Through Summer??

I do not appreciate the fact that we are already midway through July. No no, I am not ready to see back-to-school gear at my beloved Target or fall riding gear at work. But on the upside we have been taking full advantage of the fact that it has at least been a 'real' summer, as opposed to the cold and rain we were treated to last year.

For the 4th of July we headed to the cottage. It was fun to hang out and play a little whiffle ball while Geeg went down her slide and hung out in her swing. As it turns out, she is nooooooooooooot so excited about actually going in the lake. She will walk up to about her ankles (so, 6 inches from shore) and that's where the fun ends. So I've been trying to take her in with me but so far she has been less than thrilled. Interestingly this is the same thing I did with Ralphie before he knew how to swim, so maybe I'm just destined to do this with all my kids, furry and otherwise.

The tot was also getting over a nasty diaper rash and just starting with a cough and runny nose (hello, two year molars. Just *so* glad to see you). So she did not partake in fireworks and fortunately she did not wake up from them either. She did, however, burn many a calorie doing Independence Day Laps.

Since the cottage was full of other grown-ups Matt and I went off to explore the White River while GG was napping. It really should be called the White Stream but it felt unchartered nonetheless. I'm sure there was an easier way to get in, but instead of looking for it we just hopped the fence.

Started at the top, ended at the bottom. Felt like Ethan Hunt.

At its deepest the water was about mid-calf, and it was crystal clear and nice and cool. It was really interesting to see the clumps of grasses growing in the middle of the water - seemed sort of out of place and we wondered how they got there. It was so quiet and serene, but as we turned a bend we heard a huge crash into the water and we both about wet ourselves. Turned out to be two huge deer who heard or smelled us and took off down the river. Scared the bejesus out of us both. But of course we decided we had to find them, so Meriwether Lewis and Sacajawea continued on. Sure enough we spotted them a few hundred feet on, and got a shot (as in photo, not as in gun) before they took off again.

Me and my exotic tour guide


Eerily quiet


I know you see me. And I know you know I see you. Just so you know.


Darn near lost a J Crew sandal to 12" of muck. We are so city.

It was a hot, hot weekend and after another fantastic dinner the boys headed down to make a campfire. They had a few beers. Then a few more. Then Uncle Stevie decided it was the right time for a swim. He had better pray these photos don't make their way to the wedding.

A classic Steve take-off

Um, protecting himself?

Steve's attempt at jumping with his arms straight in the air

Ahh, this explains a lot

The next weekend we got a visit from Grandma & Pop Pop. They came on Friday and we headed out to Maxie's for dinner. Mmmmmmmmm, sweet potato fries and fizzy margaritas. Being a true Eastie, Pop Pop ordered an appetizer of raw oysters. I have never tried one, so both Matt and I got our slurp on. Not bad. After stuffing ourselves absolutely silly we headed home. On Saturday morning we ventured to the Tosa Farmer's Market where we stocked up on our organic meats. It was hot as hell so once we were totally sweaty we headed home for lunch. After GG's nap the big event of the weekend was upon us: a Brewers game. Pete & Heidi have never been to a Brewers game, much less tailgated, and I blame myself. To make up for it I got us seats 13 rows behind home plate (I may work part time but I still know where to get my stash). We loaded up the car and headed to the park. Matt even sprang for preferred parking. Who says chivalry is dead?

Mandatory family photos

Chillin' with a cold one

Finding any shade we can

Already poppin' wheelies on her Harley. The guys at work will love this.

Game time!

The game was super fun and GG did very well. We left during the 7th inning stretch though, as I am not one to push the cranky envelope and the idea of sitting in the parking lot as 44,999 of my closest friends also tried to leave the stadium with a probably overtired toddler...clearly not the way to go. When all was said and done the Brewers won and we had a great time.

Welcome to Miller Park

Play ball!


In the 'Kids Zone'. She was crazy for the Italian. It brought a tear to Matt's eye.


Chorizo is on the run


Prince hits a slamma-lamma!