Door County... The Last One?

Well, I think may be my final Door County post, and what a disjointed journey it's been.  I posted the last ones from Mike's computer during a few free moments, and it just felt a little off.  

We're home now, I'm listening to Bon Jovi, the pics are on my computer, and all is right with the world.  Well, all is right if you don't think about the fact that we had to unpack and re-pack for our trip (tomorrow!) to California.  And that the girls are crazy sleep-deprived.  Oh, and so are we.  

But it really has been a fantastic week!  Every single thing went better than I could have imagined it.  The 4.5-hour drive, both ways, had almost no crying or whining-- from the girls or me.  Our accommodations (at Little Sweden) were amazing.  It was clean and spacious and wonderful.  The time with family was great.  Mike and I, thanks to the Greens, got a full afternoon and evening without kids.  No one got injured, besides a few little bonks.  We bought some of the most amazing fudge I've ever tasted (dark chocolate with caramel and sea salt-- mmmmmmm!).  

In fact, the only downsides to the trip were that the girls consistently woke up at or before 6, and the sheets on our bed had no elastic, so if you even thought about shifting, the sheets were immediately bunched up in the middle of the bed.  So really, what do we have to complain about?

Now, like I said, Mike's folks took ALL FOUR grandkids at naptime, one day, and they kept them till bedtime!  This is the supreme sacrifice and gift.  Really, Mike and I hardly knew what to do with ourselves, not having to converse almost exclusively using toddler speak.  And we got to do what WE wanted, without having to chase little ones.  So what on earth were we going to do?

Well, I've been loving growing tomatoes, basil and even little chili peppers at our home.  Maybe it's a nesting thing.  So when I saw the sign for cherry-picking, I thought it would be really fun.  Turns out, it was!

We were the only people there, and I mean the ONLY people.  We had to drive a little ways from the store attached to the orchard, so when we got there (after following directions like, "turn at that group of trees and look for the white truck"), there were not only no other people picking cherries, but there were no people at all.  So we drove back through the rows of trees and filled a massive bucket with tart cherries.  Watch out, friends and family, I see a lot of jam in your future. :)


Before we had even left for Door County, Mike had found a couple restaurants with gluten-free options, including a pizza place: Wild Tomato.  I was pretty excited about some gf pizza, especially the "Sconnie."  After all, I am a Cheesehead, and how good does THIS look?

The “Sconnie”  
Roasted chicken, bacon, grilled broccoli, spinach, and topped with REAL Wisconsin cheese curds. Ask for some ranch for dipping to be a true “sconnie”.

So we headed there for dinner, and it did not disappoint.  Plus, we got to eat with Steve, Jeff and Sarah, which was pretty darn fun.

 **If you're wondering why there's a lever in Mike's face, it's because Steve told the waitress that if she had to prioritize, she could cover Mike.  Apparently, she listened. I just like how Mike and Steve are kinda snuggly.

The next day, for another full-family outing, we went on a stroll through Peninsula State Park.  We stopped first at some giant chairs for pictures, because who can resist oversized chairs?

Noelle is as happy as a clam-- when she gets her way.  And right now, she's all about walking and independence.  So she was a little bit of a handful.  She's not fast, so she played the roll of the caboose, but she did NOT want to go in her stroller (that's for babies!).    

Eventually, Mike strapped her in and pacified her by jogging along with her.  Riley and I took up residence at the end of the parade until, near the end of the walk, Grandma realized that we were (WAY) behind and came back to see us.  Riley was a fan. :)

This is getting a little long, so I'll let the pictures do most of the talking from here on out.

We went to the beach with the whole clan.

When in doubt, either eat it or rub it on your head...

Look at that!  Mike and I got a picture together!  And we don't look half bad.

These two little soldiers were diligent and hilarious.

I had been under the weather when the crew went to Wilson's the first time, and I really didn't want to be left out, so on our last night, our little group headed over there.

 It did not disappoint.  I got the caramel toffee crunch, which was brown sugar ice cream with a caramel swirl and pecan pralines.  It was heavenly.  And Riley didn't mind her chocolate, either.

Noelle was pretty content, munching on the jelly beans they put atop each serving.  Plus, she got to walk around, throw grass and rocks in (at) the water and just be a goofball.  But ice cream wasn't ever too far from her mind.

And thus ends our Door County adventures, unless Steve sends me some pictures that are too good not to post.  Next up... Pasadena!