Welcome to Wisconsin!

last week i flew to appleton, wisconsin to visit my sister and her family.  i'm not quite sure what i expected from wisconsin, but this is what i got!  farm land and dilapidated houses line the freeways and wisconsin cheese signs greet weary traveler indicating that civilization is near. this dilapidated house happened to be my favorite.  i spotted it as we drove from the dells to madison.  (on the drive back i waited with anticipation and my camera ready to be sure i captured this gem.)  it was my first taste of what my sister calls normal for wisconsin.  apparently, demolishing houses is quite expensive, so farmers simply abandon their old abodes and build a new home right next door. 

after i got over the shock of seeing tilting houses, silos, RV worlds, paul bunyon restaurants and cheese signs, i thoroughly enjoyed wisconsin.  i finally got to see where my sister has been living for the past five years.  she has created quite a wonderful life for herself.  she has three beautiful daughters and helpful and loving husband.  i haven't seen my little nieces in over a year and it was amazing to see how they've grown.  i met baby jane for the first time and she is adorable!  a miracle indeed!

 we played all week, going to indoor water parks, visiting the children's museum, eating cheesy, cheesy popcorn, watching diego the animal rescuer, playing board games, the works.  

thanks for a great vacation kathleen!  love ya!

jane and i enjoying a good book

amazingly i got the three of them to sit down for a minute
so i could snap this photo

lena is growing up so fast!

and clare is a rambunctious, curious little one!