Hinton Happenings: Wisconsin in August

Early on August 10th, we flew to Wisconsin to visit the Mackrorys for a couple of weeks. We stayed with them that night, then all went up to Door County the next day to stay in a condo we had reserved up there. The Mackrorys stayed for the weekend, then left on Sunday evening, and Ken and I stayed until Friday and celebrated our 40th wedding anniversary. We then drove back to Mackrorys house. We tended the kids overnight so Kristen and Jared could go away overnight(Friday) to celebrate their anniversary... They came home Saturday night. Then we stayed with them until Thursday when we flew back to Las Vegas. So there's the iternerary. Now let's see the fun!

Corn shucking party!

Kristen and Jared, knowing Ken LOVES corn on the cob, often provide that for us when we visit. Wisconsin does corn!

On Friday mornings, twice a month, Kristen has organized a little pre-school at a local nursing home. Mothers and children come to the nursing home and Kristen presents an hour-long class for the kids. Old and young and in between LOVE it. It is much like a library story hour. She chooses a theme and reads a story book and then they do activities around the theme of the book. We were fortunate to be there for this Friday's class.

I took this picture early on- many more people came later, both old and young.

The book she chose for this day was "Chrysanthemum"- a book about names.

She had the children present flowers from her garden to each of the residents. The lady next to me (on my other side) asked several times, "This is for me? For me? Can I keep it?" It brought tears to my eyes. These children and this program bring so much joy to these people.

That afternoon, we headed up to Door County and then went to the outdoor theater. It was really fun.

Saturday- On Saturday morning, we went to a petting farm. The kids (and adults) had so much fun petting and feeding the farm animals.

I love this picture.

This baby goat latched onto Ken's earlobe and sucked for all he was worth. Ken ended up with a big blood blister!

I'm glad this chick survived the love. Don't you love this picture?

And this one!

The popsicles they make there were yummy!

That afternoon, Kristen, Brielle, and I went shopping while the others swam at the resort.

That evening, we went to the restaurant with the goats on the roof- Johnsons. It is a Swedish restaurant, so we can try foods from our roots. Each year when we go to Door County, we always eat there. The Swedish meatballs and Swedish pancakes were delicious!

After dinner, we walked over to the lake shore. It was beautiful and a perfect setting for pictures.

Sunday- We got up and ready for church, then drove about 1/2 hour to the next town to the church building, only to find it closed. We hadn't know it was stake conference. The conference was in Green Bay (about an hour away) and had already started. So we drove back to the condo and Kristen put together a wonderful, spontaneous Primary. She assigned out parts and everyone did great.

We concluded the meeting with a rousing game of "Pinchy, fisty, flatty, cutty, cow." The kids love to make grandpa laugh down there because his whole head turns red.

Ken and Nathan barbecued chicken for dinner. We had a nice feast. That evening, the Mackrorys packed up and headed home. Ken and I stayed until Friday.

We shopped. And ate at some good restaurants. We swam. We read. Ken went on walks.

We love the pizza at this restaurant - Wild Tomatoes.

We always have to go the White Gull Inn for breakfast and have the cherry-stuffed French toast. It was voted the best breakfast in America a few years ago- and we agree!

We enjoyed a beautiful day walking along the lake and celebrating our 40th anniversary.

We celebrated our anniversary by eating at Chives Restaurant. It was a little pricey, but the food was delicious.

I guess this is the official 40th anniversary shot! I love this guy!

Ken ordered their specialty hamburger.

I ordered a delicious chicken/ mushroom dish.

And, of course, crème brulee for dessert- Ken's all-time favorite dessert.

The flowers in Wisconsin in the summer are GORGEOUS!

I PROMISE that eating was not all we did, but you could never tell by the pictures we took!

Friday. We got up Friday morning and packed up, checked out, and drove the two hours back to Kristen's house. They had hired a babysitter to cover until we got home. We took the babysitter home and then spent the day with the Mackrorys.

I love this picture. I went in the kitchen to find Sammy "feeding" his horsey.

Pizza party and games

We made and decorated cupcakes for Audrey's upcoming birthday celebration. The kids had so much fun putting whatever and how ever much they wanted on their cupcakes.

The kitchen was a disaster when we got done, but everyone had fun.

Let's just say those cupcakes didn't lack for candy!

Nathan's BYU creation.

The kids are never far away when Grandpa gets out his Ipad

Sunday- Thursday Kristen and Jared got home on Saturday evening. We then spent the next few days with the family

Jared likes to do creative things with the kids. He made bread dough and gave each of them some of it to form whatever they like. This was his creation.

A woodchuck took up residence in the Mackrory garage under the ride-on lawn mower.

All attempts to get him to leave were futile.

The poor little guy met his demise because he was stubborn. Let this be a lesson to you!

View off the front porch

Did I mention the flowers in Wisconsin are beautiful?

A family exercise party.

Planking

Solar eclipse party at the local library

A fun bike ride/walk around the neighborhood. They live in such a beautiful neighborhood and the weather was perfect.

Love Hunter Jared's shirt: Vegetarian: Old Indian Word for Bad Hunter

On Tuesday, I think it was, we drove a couple of hours away to Sheboygan, Wisconsin to visit Bookworm Gardens. This place was amazing! It was a beautiful garden with themed toys to play on and things to do based on children's storybooks. There were books to read, and then the kids could act out the stories. It was a beautiful, amazing place.