Back from vacation

What happened to July? I think I blinked twice and missed it and find myself in August.

Actually, we did a lot of fun things in July and time went by really fast. We took a family vacation, the first in several years...and the first in which no one was in diapers, pull-ups or requiring every 3-4 hour feedings. We were invited to go to Conference Point Center in Williams Point, Wisconsin on beautiful Lake Geneva for a week-long family camp. We had a truly amazing time. Rather than regale you with every little detail I thought I would share with you some of the funniest quotes from our trip:

BB who truly is a great reader but some words are new and tricky to pronounce on the first try noted that we were now passing by "Ewwww Claire and Chip-a-wee-ah Falls"

We stopped for lunch in Madison, WI at a farm where our friend's sister and her family live. It was beautiful. BB commented, "I smell cows. I know they are here somewhere."

[I should mention that he LOVES cows. He is not too fond of any other furry creature and tolerates our two feline pets but thinks cows are cool. ]

Upon discovering the cows, he remarks, "I have now seen cows up close. This is the best part of the trip."

But we haven't even gotten to camp yet, BB...

"I know. But I have seen cows and this is it. It's all I need."

As the children, who numbered 8 at this point, studied the cows, the grown-ups conversed and the subject of the cows gender came up. Chris's sister stated that all of these are steer. Nina then asked, "What is the difference between a bull and a steer?"

I said, thinking carefully because there are lots of little ears around, "Well...they are all boy cows who cannot make baby cows."

Peanut commented, "Don't the cows know that they have bugs on them?"
Mom--"Yes, but they can't really do anything about it."
BB--"That is because they don't have opposable thumbs."

Later as we pulled into camp and our feet had not even left the van, the kids exclaimed, "This is the best place ever...when we come back next year..."

At lunch one day, the kids were playing with these accordion fans and next thing I knew we were talking in Japanese accents and saying, "Perhaps you are hot...Don't make me fan you..." and then we were doing karate moves with the fans as well. It might be a moment of "You had to be there."

While on a boat ride and trolling through a very swanky marina looking at yachts, the driver noted there was a large Northern swimming below. BB and PH looked over the side and watched it. PH, resting his chin on his arm, said wistfully, "I would like to be a fish."

BB, while walking around the camp with me commented, "I think I would like to be a cow. You can walk around and poop where ever you want. You can blow snot out your nose and lick it with your tongue and no one cares. Yup, I think being a cow would be a good thing."

"Mom, lets take the short cut to our cabin." Ha!! It wound up being a tour around the windy path of the point with some steep, muddy slopes, rocks and finally a steep climb up to our cabin that took about 20 minutes. Whereas had we cut across camp, it would have taken us 5.

"We're the Gospel Fuzzies, Yeah."

While bowling, I will note that the kids had bumpers up and I did not but I still hold my title as the Gutterball Queen, the kids were laughing at my feeble attempts to bowl...I had also been playing volleyball all week and had injured my elbow...

I said, "Well, I am playing poorly so that you can all feel good about yourselves." To which my daughter looked at me, raised up an eyebrow and burst out laughing.

Good times. Good memories and we will go back next year.