Say cheese!

Tyler, Colton and I just spent nearly a week in the cheese state - Wisconsin! It was a bold journey boarding a plane by myself with the two kids, but I knew it was worth it. AND...they did great! Each way we had a three-hour flight and a one-hour flight. The boys made it really easy on me and were near perfect. Amazingly, the three-hour flights were much easier than the one-hour flights. During the difficult parts, like getting through security, there were people around who offered to help. I couldn't have asked for it to go any more smoothly.

We had such an amazing trip! We stayed at my Grandma & Grandpa Appleby's and celebrated my Grandpa's 82nd birthday. I hadn't been to Wisconsin in nearly six years, so it was really special to be there with everyone, and for my family to spend time with my boys.

Here are some highlights of our trip:

THURSDAY:

Thursday morning we visited Grandpa Wally at his retirement home. Tyler loved the aviary and he even played piano with a very talented resident.

That night the boys took a bath at the same time, for the very first time. They both had fun!

FRIDAY:

Friday morning Tyler helped my Dad in the Appleby's yard.

Then he had a blast jumping in the huge piles of leaves.

And finally, he had some help picking apples from the apple trees in the back yard. I had fun playing with these photos.

My cousin Aubrey surprised everyone by coming home from school earlier than expected and showing up at Appleby's Friday afternoon.

Tyler was sweet with everyone and decided to give out kisses. Here he is with Uncle Scott.

Later that night we all met my Aunt Sam and Uncle Eric at the Mitchell Domes. Here's Colton with Aunt Sam, and the whole crew minus Mom, who took the picture. After the domes we headed out for a Friday night Fish Fry.

SATURDAY:

Saturday was Grandpa Appleby's 82nd birthday! The family came over to celebrate. Tyler was not lacking attention. Here he is playing with my cousin Austin.

Tyler helped Grandpa open presents.

One of Grandpa's most special gifts was this gift from my Uncle Lance and Aunt Pat - a framed cover of Amelia Islander magazine, featuring my cousin Chad's daughter Malia on the cover. Malia won a cutest kid contest to be on the cover. Proceeds from the contest went to the American Cancer Society. Malia is three years old and is a cancer survivor.

Everyone got a kick out of Tyler leading the singing of Happy Birthday.

Later Tyler practiced his photography skills. He took this picture of my cousin Michelle.

Uncle Lance brought his two yellow labs along and let Tyler play with them in the front yard.

While we were outside, snow flurries began to fall. Tyler exclaimed that he was going to "catch the flies!"

SUNDAY:

Sunday we went to my Uncle Jeff, Aunt Terry & Cousin Samantha's to hang out and watch the Packers game. Samantha was really great with the kids!

Again, Tyler was not lacking attention! He had a blast playing with Sam and watching movies.

Grandpa Wally came to watch the game, too. Here he is with Sam and I, and the boys.

Here I am with my cousin Sam, Uncle Jeff, Aunt Terry and my boys.

MONDAY:

Monday it was time to go home. But first I was able to meet my friend Christine for lunch. Christine and I were in a tight circle of friends in high school. She now lives in Milwaukee and runs her own dance studio and dance company. It was great to catch up! Unfortunately I didn't bring my camera on our lunch date.

My flight back to California was at 6:10 p.m. Before we left, we saw two deer in Grandpa & Grandma's backyard, and we saw huge snowflakes. Tyler thought it was very cool! It was extremely hard to say goodbye. We had so much fun and will really miss everyone. Thanks to all for making this a trip to remember.