Cabin-Vacation part 1

We took a full Yenerich family vacation this year. We had Grandpa and Grandma, Uncle Mike and Aunt Laura, Tyler and Katie. It was a two part vacation. The first leg was heading to Dave's grandparent's cabin in Northern Wisconsin. It's beautiful up there and the cabin has been a part of the family for many, many years. It's really neat to be able to take the next generation up there as well. On the drive up the girls rode in one vehicle, and the boys in the other. We got the girls.



We went on the Pontoon boat a few times. This is probably my favorite thing to do up there. I LOVE riding in the boat. The kids did pretty well too. Callie didn't smile much, but she wasn't upset either.





Noah went fishing. Mommy did not. They went to Spirit Lake where the fish are really dense, so you can catch quite a bit. I hear he caught about ten or so. He was really into it...especially the worms.


Noah and Dave played in the lake for a little while. Tyler eventually joined in. Little Miss Katie thought she wanted to join in, but then decided against it.



Perhaps the sweetest part of the trip was when Dave took me back to the place where he proposed 7 years ago (on August 7, 2002). We sort of re-enacted the date with Taco Johns (the same place we grabbed food from on that day) and then headed out to "our" pier. We've gone once before and just chatted about all the changes that have happened since that day. We talked again about all the changes since then even (adding Callie mainly)and then he prayed for us. For those of you who don't know, prayer is how he lead into the proposal, so it was really sweet and a great way to end the date. This is our self-picture of us on the pier.

The last night we were there, Dave and I watched the kids so that Mike and Laura could have their turn at a date. It was actually a lot of fun. We went to McDonalds (big shocker there) and then off to a park. We taught the kids to say "tada!" and throw their hands in the air. They were pretty stinkin cute at it:



We had a great time up at the cabin and were very thankful for the opportunity to be up there.

Day 4-Columbus Zoo

After sleeping in a little bit, we got ourselves ready and headed to the Columbus zoo. Our plan was to meet our friends whom we haven't seen in about 3 years. They have two kids who are close in age to Noah (4 and 19 months-Noah falls right in the middle). It was great seeing them again and Noah had some friends to play with throught the day. It's a pretty neat zoo. There were A LOT of animals there! My favorites perhaps were the aquarium and the manatees. Noah talked about the rhinos a lot. Fortunately, they were out and active today, so he was able to look at them for quite awhile.

We all left EXHAUSTED. Dave and Noah took naps. Callie slept through most of the zoo, so we went swimming instead. She is so chill in the water...a natural water baby. She loved being in it and was smiling quite a bit *relieved sigh*.

We went to the Olive Garden for dinner and then we all went swimming this evening. Now, both kids are snoozing. Dave just ran to the store and came back with a pint of Ben and Jerry's "half baked"...yum. What the heck? It's vacation, right? :-)

Day 3

Yesterday we headed to Newport, Kentucky to the Newport Aquarium. It wasn't that far away from where we stayed. We had a great time looking at all the fish and sharks.

After that, we started our trek back north to Columbus. On the way, Dave made the mistake of mentioning that there were some outlet malls...and we pulled over. :-) An hour and a few bags later, we were on our way again. We checked into our hotel quickly (Which by the way was awesome)

It had a separate bedroom. This shows the kitchen and the "living room".

Then we headed to my aunt and uncles (who live in Columbus) for dinner. We had a great time. They hadn't had a chance to meet Callie yet, and we had never been to their house, so it was nice all the way around. Their kids, Joe and Ellie, played with Noah and held Callie, giving Dave and I a break. My uncle, Jim, coordinated an apple effort, which Noah joined in wholeheartedly. They have an apple tree and every week they need to throw away the fallen, bad apples. Well, Noah had a blast helping Jim and Joe. Later we found ourselves playing in the basement on Joe's drums.
Noah is a natural and LOVES playing whenever he gets a chance. We had a great time and a great meal. It was sad to leave.

The kid's took a long time settling down. Callie (who is normally my rockstar sleeper) woke up 3 different times last night. It was a long night. Dave and I were so exhausted we just crashed on the bed and all slept in until around 8. God bless vacation. :-)

Vacation-Day 2 (Great Wolf Lodge)

Except for my kid's refusing to sleep on Monday night (it was Callie that time), we had a great day 2 as well.
We went swimming, played at the Cub Club (a place designed for kids with a playroom, crafts, and ultimately a break from the pool). We also played in the arcade and Noah got a new ball. Everyone (Dave, Callie, and Noah) took LONG naps and everyone woke up happier and ready to keep playing. We played at the pool again for awhile in the late afternoon, then ordered in pizza and vegged for the rest of the evening. We did hop down to the lobby for the clock show at 8, followed by a bedtime story with Wiley the Fox which Noah also enjoyed. After we got the kids to bed, Dave and I hung out on the balcony for quite a while. You can see King's Island from our room and watch the people ride some of the scarier rides...and hear the screams. The crescent moon was also pretty amazing last night.

Mercifully, the kids both took pity on us and slept through the night last night. Our plans today are to pack up, hit the Newport Aquarium, then drive to Columbus and hang out with my aunt and uncle and their kids for the evening before crashing at our new hotel.

Vacation-Day 1

Well, we tried peeling out of the driveway, but we couldn't get the tires to squeal...so it lost some of its dramatic effect. Nevertheless, here we are at the Great Wolf Lodge near Cincinnati, Ohio. We are having a BLAST!!!

First, let's start with the morning. After waking up at 3, 4, 4:15, 4:45, 5:20, and for good around 6:45, Noah was extremely chatty this morning. Dave and I who had blearily opened our eyes after a night of continuously putting Noah back into bed, stumbled out into the morning light. Noah had commentary for EVERYTHING. "Noie have mommy's water. Noie spill mommy's water. Mommy, help Noie clean up water. Noie clean up water..." This continued for the entire morning. At some point (probably after we had cracked our eyes open further than a millimeter) we found it rather amusing, and were relieved that he was feeling better. We hurried around trying to get things situated, and we were on the road.

Really, having a two year old is a trip. They literally say THE funniest things. For instance, Noah's favorite phrase these days is "right there!". Not sure where he learned it from (Dave, the remote is right there! Just look for it!). :-) Anyway, we were driving and we hear, "Noie toot...right there!" and he pointed at his bottom. It was pretty stinkin amusing.

We started swimming immediately. I am happy to report that we have two water babies. Callie was a champ at swimming. She didn't mind at all being in the water and even seemed to enjoy it at times.

It makes all of us playing together as a family that much easier. I highly recommend this place for families...especially those with young kiddos. They have so much to do. Our room also has a separated "room" for Noah with it's own tv and private space. It's pretty sweet.


Dave and I have looked at each other numerous times today and have said, "This is awesome. I'm so glad we're here." I'm happy to report that the vacation has kicked off to a great start.

Weekend Update

We had a great weekend. It started on Thursday when we went to Martinton. We hung out with Dave's parents for the evening. They fixed a great dinner and Noah rode the tractor with "papaw".

On Friday morning, we headed up to see my family. Dad and Kat watched the kids while Dave and I hunted for "Sox" apparel, since we can't find it in Indiana. We had another great meal (the 3rd meal that I did not have to make) and then headed up north.

We checked into the Doubletree hotel, which was right on the magnificent mile. We love priceline. It was pretty sweet...everything had just been remodeled in 2008. We walked around a little bit before heading to the White Sox game.

Background: My mom knows Jerry Reinsdorf, the owner, very well. She used to work for him, and they became friends over the years. Growing up, we would always go to one Six game, and one Bull's game a year...oftentimes we would be in the box with Mr. Reinsdorf. However, its been almost 10 years since I have been there. It was nice to go back and see him again.


The White Sox played the Oakland A's. We met up with my mom, her male friend, Dick (she doesn't like to refer to them as boyfriends), my grandma, her nephew, my sister and her boyfriend, Brian (She's OK with that), and Brian's friend Eric. Another couple who were friend's of my mom also came. Yeah, we pretty much took over the suite. Staying in the suite was really the only way you could get me to go with a two year old. Noah was able to move around and play with toys that grandma C. had brought him. We had a great time.

Dave had never experienced life in the "box" and I think he really enjoyed it. Mr. Reinsdorf was in and out. Since the Sox were losing (and lost), he spent a lot of time with his GM, I think. Noah was a champ. He did so well and listened. He even laid down when we asked him to. He crashed hard and we couldn't even rouse him for the fireworks. Callie, however, showed interest in the bright lights in the sky.

Callie spent the majority of the game asleep on my grandma's lap. I know that it made her day (She had yet to meet her) and it was pretty cute to see. We had a great time.

Incidentally enough, my mom and Dick were staying at the same hotel as we were. We found that out during the evening. Dick and my mom went out with Jay and Brian to Navy Pier after the game, while Dave and I took the tired babes back to the hotel.

In the morning, we checked out early and just started walking around. We had breakfast at McDonalds than headed to Millenium park. Noah had a great time splashing in the water.


We ended up taking a carriage ride around the lake front. It was a lot of fun (despite the fact that I nursed Callie for most of it). Dave and I have been trying to take one since our honeymoon 4 and a half years ago. Two kids later, we finally got our chance.

Afterwards, we met up with mom and Dick at Giordanos Pizza. Dave's one request for the weekend was that he have Chicago style pizza IN Chicago. We accommodated him. :-) Noah was pretty tired though and ended up falling asleep on my mom. Callie pooped all over me (and I mean all over) and then fell asleep as well. We headed for home after that.

All in all, it was a great weekend.

Noah's good behavior streak ended this morning. He is now in time-out for throwing a fit over pajamas (again). I need to go and get him out and pray that the rest of the day goes better. I am sure that it's because he is tired because he woke up too stinkin early this morning. Sheesh.

Here's hoping for a good nap this afternoon (for all of us).