July

The July heat was no joke so we hunkered down a bit inside to avoid it when we could. But we still had baseball and tried to get in some last summer fun before the school year starts.

At a grilling and wine tasting class

Avery (10 years, 11 months) - Avery went to a week of camp with the Smyrna Police Department. They learned self defense, visited the police/fire department, met the K9 dogs and spent a day at Sparkles. She still loves to bake and did a good job cheering on her brothers at their final baseball games. And she was really excited to go to the Dude Perfect show with dad after the boys went a few years back without her.

Dude Perfect Show with dad

She loves to do scoreboard but wasn't sure about all her helpers this time

Avery borrows a family phone on trips and we find all sorts of fun pictures on it

Parker (13 years, 8 months) - Parker spent most of the month playing baseball (Sabers or practicing with friends) and fishing. He has developed a real love of fishing this summer with several nearby places he and friends can go to. He had a sweet end of the season baseball party with his Slammers team and is looking forward to playing with the team next year. He also complained a little about his vision so he has a very low prescription, optional pair of glasses. He sparingly uses them but looks super cute on them!

All Star Village with Connor and Jack

Carter (15 years, 2 months) - Carter had a quieter month with activities. There was still Sabers baseball and he wrapped up his summer class. He had a great summer baseball season and is looking forward to a few weeks off before starting back in the Fall. 

All Star Village with Jake and Carter

Siblings - The boys finished up their summer all star baseball season with some special guest appearances by friends! It was fun to watch them on the same team and we are excited to do it again in the Fall.

Carter, Grayson, Parker, Jack 

Parker pitching with Carter at short

Carter, Grayson, JZ, Parker

Jack pitching, Carter at 3rd and Parker at Short

Madison, WI

We finished our trip to Wisconsin with a visit to Madison. Having visited her several times before we wanted to find something we hadn't done before so we drove South to Verona to visit Epic Intergalactic Headquarters. Epic is a software company with an incredible themed campus they allow public visits at a few hours a week. We were lucky to snag a time spot and were allowed to pick 3 areas to tour. The kids picked Central Park, Fairytale Land and Wizard Academy. The campus is over 1,000 acres including a working farm. We got our steps in wandering between the buildings themed after Harry Potter, Alice in Wonderland, Willy Wonka, Pirate Ships, Chinese Dragons and more. They are starting work on 2 new campuses, one of which will be themed after Lord of the Rings and Hobbit and the other called Other Worlds. By the end, Parker declared he wanted to work here one day.

Wizard Academy

Farm Campus

Convention Center on Deep Space Campus 

Slide > Stairs

Avery loved the butter pasta artwork

Rocking chair in an elevator lobby in case you get bored

Inside an elevator

We also stopped by the University of Wisconsin campus making sure to get some Ice Cream a Babcock, pick up some new apparel at the Campus Shop and visit the Student Union for a picture with Bucket and the chairs. 

All smiles after a great vacation

Kayaking in Door County

During our full day in Door County, we visited Whitefish Dunes State Park for a Kayak tour. We went up the coast to Cave Point County Park to check out the caves (on land and under water).  The boys went together, Avery was with dad and mom had a solo kayak. We all completed the various challenges, kayaking into the caves and through tight spots. It was a beautiful day on the water!