Vacation: South Bend

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Phase 1: College Tours

We visited St. Mary's college and Notre Dame. We saw Cousin Larry (with Marlene and Luke) and Allyson (with Sarah and Kate) at Notre Dame.

Touchdown Jesus

Motivational messages on sidewalk (we needed to look like engineers)

Phase 2: Detour

An unlabeled 'corn' muffin turned out to be a banana nut muffin ... so Sara and RJ spent 3 hours at urgent care. RJ got to use an EpiPen.

While that was happening, Doug, Aunt Debbie, and Julia played mini-golf. Doug was on-fire until an announcement was made about winning scratch-off tickets.

Same mini-golf course as last family reunion

Phase 3: Family Reunion

Friday night we had pizza, pool time, Track and Field video game, and a chance to hang out with a smaller crowd. After the allergy incident on Saturday we went to Cousin Larry's and swam, played tennis, and hung out until we had to leave for Chicago.

Doug with Cousin Kathy and Cousin Joe

Vacation: Cleveland

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Phase 1: July 4

We arrived in Cleveland on the July 4th. From the 16th floor, we could see 180 degrees of fireworks from over 50 different displays.

Rock and Roll Hall of Fame

 

 

Submarine tour was interesting and fun

Lookout - torpedo

Phase 2: Parks and Museums

Doug worked from the apartment and the Acumatica Columbus office while the gang explored!

Sunset Steps after Dinner

Cleveland Rocks! At the park on Lake Erie

Science Museum with Ian - a full day of hands-on activities

Largest candy store (in Cleveland)

Parents Room at Aunt Donna's Apartment (Why did RJ have to erase the 'T' in donut?)

Whitetail Fort

The kids spend hours in the woods collecting tics (bummer), riding bikes, and building things. This year they are building a multi-level fort with walls.

 

The groups of sticks are cozy beds and seats

 

Doug found it difficult not to get involved with something this fun

Vacation Plan

Let the journey begin!

Is Sara crazy or is this a great idea? We will know in 22 days!

After leaving the car in Cedar Rapids, Sara and the kids will bum rides the rest of the way

Jump to Vacation Stops:

• Whitetail, PA (building forts)
• Cleveland, OH (Independence Day)
• South Bend, IN (family reunion)
• Cedar Rapids, IA (Bueckers)
• Buffalo, MN (Martins)
• Aberdeen, SD (Germans from Russia conference)
• Wolford, ND (Fritel Farm)
• Killdeer, ND (Fritel Farm 2)
• Minot, ND (State Fair)

Julia Helps with Front Lawn

Julia learned how to drive Zeter and cut the front lawn. Key adjectives: focused, meticulous.

Cutting around the flagpole

 

Last week Julia learned and practiced on the flat part of the back lawn.

Julia turns 8

Julia picked a trip to Whitetail to celebrate her eighth birthday. She invited her friend Sadona to spend the night and managed to stay up until 10:35ish (her birth time).

-- insert picture of presents --

 

Julia, Ava, Santi, and Sadona use some new art tools

 

Rocco shared the same birthdate, so Sara made an awesome Peppa Pig / Minecraft piñata from a cardboard box.

Rocco takes the first swing, the piñata lasted 3-4 cycles through the line

We did some hiking the next day. Summer, Julia, Sadona on Ledgewood

 

Garden Carrots

Doug has never been a fan of wasting garden space on carrots ... but this year it worked out (well at least we harvested $0.99 of carrots).

Sampson better not eat too many of those carrots!