We pulled it off!

Ted and I were able to pull off a surprise ending to our WI vacation!  We were sneaky and put in two bags...swimsuits and crocs...for a water park adventure.  We told the kiddos Tuesday night at supper with Grammy and Grampy...as we would need to leave on Wednesday afternoon to make our reservation.

We were a little sleepy after all the anticipation surrounding the birth of the calf and then spending the morning at the farm.  We packed up, ate lunch, and headed to the Dells.

We did make a stop for snacks and helpful quick meal items.

Trying not to be terrible annoying to my family, I only requested this one quick shot as we entered the Great Wolf Lodge.  It was beautiful and there was lots to look at while Ted checked us into our room.

We found the windows to see what was in store...I am pretty sure the kids were vibrating about this time.  We made quick work of unloading the van and finding our suits.  We walked through the water park doors at 5:05pm.

As we walked in...I am pretty sure we looked like tourists...looking everywhere but where we walked with our mouths open in awe.  Looking back now and then watching people filter in the last two days...everyone starts out like that!  After the first 8-12 hours...the looks and expressions change...more on that later...it still makes me chuckle.

 

A view from the loft in our room.

  I absolutely love the northwoods decor!!!

An early morning call...an answer to our children's prayer.

Mr. Farmer Friend called us late Tuesday night to tell us he was expecting the calves to come that night...the next couple hours.  The kids went to bed with their clothes ready.  We sat around talking and waiting...and finally decided to go to bed...even cow babies have their own time.

We finally got the call at 7:00am saying that one of the twins had been delivered and the next one was due anytime.  Our farmer friends were up through the night checking on the momma cow and the calf came between their last check on her and the start of daily chores...about a half hour or so.  We quickly stumbled to the van for the short cold drive.

This is baby one...a little bull calf...getting attention from his mom.

Teddy learned how to milk so the new baby could have his first bottle.

They put the calf in this box...a baby warmer.  He learned quickly to suck from the bottle.

We watched the momma cow and had a front row seat...a bale of hay is quite comfortable...while morning chores went on around us.  We were then invited up to the house for pancakes and coffee, as things were taking longer than expected.  After breakfast, Mr. Farmer Friend decided something needed to be done to help the momma and checked in with the vet.  I will spare the action shots of the birth.  They had to assist the momma by finding the two hooves and pulling the calf out...quickly.  Dad and Ted assisted in pulling on the rope which was connected to a chain (made just for that).  She was hind legs first and it had been awhile between the two deliveries.  And for my sis...it wasn't gross...really.

When we came back to the barn...it was naptime.  I thought it was funny...they all lay down about the same time.  Then they started standing up after awhile...they had business to take care of...wow!  100 pounds of it day...PER COW!  And I am not talking about their milk production.

Here is the momma cow taking care of her second born.  She decided she was done and the baby started shivering, so she went into the warmer with her very active brother.  He was standing up before we left and ramming around inside the warmer.

What an interesting way to start our morning!  It was a beautiful morning as we exited the barn.  Our visit with Grammy and Grampy was complete...the kiddos got to see the baby calves.  They had asked about it so many times and even added the request to our prayer for the evening meal on Tuesday night.  Now...the city-slickers have coats to dry clean and wash.  BUT IT WAS WORTH THE ADVENTURE!  We learned from our Farmer Friends...there are barn clothes and there are other clothes...you don't mix them.

It's the little things that we enjoy!

Visiting the stamping store for paper and embellishments.

Finding exactly what we were looking for at the the thrift stores!

Eating too many of Mom's molasses cookies and drinking our body weight in coffee.

Playing...

Fulfilling Dad's request for my cinnamon rolls.

Creating something beautiful for Mom to use at church.

Enjoying the special little treats that Grammy always has...

and eating all the litttle treats too!

Moooovin' on to Monday

We had the opportunity to take a field trip to a dairy farm.  A family in the church called and said they had some milk for us to enjoy.  We went over for a visit.  What a treat!

Meet Ham and Bacon.  They like to eat day-old donuts delivered by the daughter who works at the bakery...and milk that doesn't fit in the bulk tank.

We met cows who were going to be mothers soon.

We saw where the milk goes after the cow and before the truck and store.  It is alot of work for a farming family!  It gave us more appreciation for the convenience we have as city dwellers.

The babies and their bottles...too cute for words!

Eight calves in this area...twins expected any time...and several more due by month's end.  A dairy farm is a very busy place!

We were invited to attend the birth of the expected twins.  Ted gave Mr. Farmer Friend his cell number...day or night...we were game...we are on vacation!!!

We brought home fresh milk and poured it into Grampy's special bottles.  Lots of fresh cream!!!

Tuesday morning...after the cream had separated...we made fresh butter...

for Grammy's Swedish pancakes.  YUMMO!

Sunday...not totally a day of rest!

God deserves our best...even on vacation!

We joined Grammy and Grampy and the friends at Hillsdale for services.  We had a wonderful dinner and rest time.  Mom and I went on an adventure to Bargain Bills...more pictures of that later!

The kiddos enjoyed King's Kids before the evening service.  They got to be part of a special pizza party.

The children sang "Do Right" in the evening service.  Our children were humming along in the pew.  What wonderful messages we heard!  God leads His men to say exactly what we need to hear...when we need to hear it!  Too bad...that sometimes...we won't listen and learn!  The singing by the congregation of this church brings goosebumps to my arms.

We stayed up late and enjoyed eating and chatting...and playing with the frozen Diet Coke!  I was waiting with camera ready to capture a mess...but Dad worked his magic!  Slushy Diet Coke...perfect.

I was able to capture Ted's skeptical look...too bad I couldn't capture the laughter.

Our adventure began...last Saturday morning...

after the guys' first basketball game!

We headed north to see Grammy and Grampy on our planned and much anticipated vacation!  We ate lunch as we traveled and passed the time watching Daniel Boone dvds.  We made record time...4 hours and 10 minutes!

"Look, Mom, aren't the prees tretty!?" said Alisa from the back of the van.  The farther north we got...the colder the temps and more snow!

Honestly...we didn't see the kids much those first few hours after our arrival.  They immediately headed outside to play in the knee-deep snow or find Grammy's toys and I Love Lucy videos. 

We watched the birds.

We talked and laughed.

We watched the kiddos.

We laughed some more!  Mom and Dad re-stocked our pantry with all things that I whined about having to share.  Thanks, Mom and Dad!

The girls helped Grammy with supper.

And...that...was just the first day!