Sheboygan!

A few weeks ago, we loaded the kids in the truck and set out for Sheboygan, Wisconsin, to visit my brother. This trip was a bit of a poignant one for a few reasons: Firstly, we had never taken a trip like this with just our little family of five, and, secondly, this was our first trip to visit them since they moved a couple years ago. 

The family. Lydia is behind me. This is right before we hit St. Louis ... and then tons of construction in Illinois, which turned a twelve hour trip into a sixteen hour trip. We lived to tell about it.

We were SO HAPPY to finally see this sign!

I won't bore you with every detail of the trip (I will, however, bore you with lots of pictures, HA!), but I will try to sum up the awesomeness of the trip. I love my brother. I love my sister-in-law. I love that my brother and I make the effort to see each other without my parents (I love my parents, but it's nice to hang out on our own, too). Sixteen hours on the road is pretty symbolic of that! My sister-in-law is one of my favorite people. Whenever we say goodbye, I always leave feeling inspired to be a better person. I love my nephews and my niece. The kids played so well together and we left with some really great memories. It was fantastic. And every bit of travel advice y'all gave me was much appreciated, from little gifts along the way to keeping every snacked-up and hydrated. The kids did so well on the trip--I kept my expectations low and was pleasantly surprised. They really rocked it. 

My SIL made homemade Oreos. That's right ... HOMEMADE OREOS. Heavenly goodness.

We visited a local children's museum, the library, and finished off the day with, of course, Johnsonville brats! Yum.

Uh ... a lot of my pictures are of food ... we had donuts at a local bakery and they were delicious. So fun.

And even more food ... the best fish and chips I've ever eaten, at the Duke of Devon pub. A date night with just the adults and it was one of the best times we've had together. My brother is funny. Sorry the picture is so blurry.

Dressed up for the date night. His shirt matched my purse, so it was worth documenting.

More amazing food made by my SIL--stuffed mushrooms, and mediterranean chicken on homemade pita bread. Yes, it was as good as it sounds!

Lake Michigan, at the beach. Beautiful sunny weather, so we buried our son in the sand. He didn't mind.

Pigtails and a pink tutu swimsuit makes for all kinds of cuteness.

Lydia's first beach trip! She slept.

My brother brought me a mocha from the aforementioned bakery. He knows me well. He's great.

Cousins at a local ice cream parlor. Love.

My brother and I with our babies strapped to us. We've grown up. Kind of.

Walking out to a lighthouse. It was COLD.

Photo-op at the lighthouse. I couldn't resist the red.

Family pictures by Lake Michigan. Lydia is slightly windblown.

Mama/Baby pictures. Isn't my SIL beautiful?

Naomi and the boys skipping rocks.

It was so great to experience a little bit of what life is like with my brother's family up in Wis-kahn-son. It was a beautiful trip and I'm excited to make it again! 

We were happy to see our driveway after the drive home.

Have a lovely day, friends.