Where was I?

• 1 minivan
• 2 weeks
• over 1,800 miles (more than 830 on the last day, in our foolish desire to Just. Get. Home.)

…and most of the time, 11 people sharing one house! 

Jenn guessed we might be going to Indiana (not a bad guess!) and Moo guessed Colorado (that is where I’m going in a few weeks for my nephew’s wedding).
Gary “guessed” correctly, we went to Wisconsin!

He doesn’t get full credit for his “guess” because he knew where we were headed.  We had talked about going to his place to pick up my new dishes, but he was busy teaching a class the only day we could go to upstate NY. We’ll make it up there another time, I hope!

ANYHOO…

I spent a couple of days here:

and a couple of nights here:

"Get your Summerfest On"

with my bro at Summerfest

…doing a bit of people watching, listening to all types of music, and getting in a few special concerts.  Thanks to free tickets and parking passes that my brother had available for us, we did all of this for FREE!!!  
And did I mention free beer?  I love my brother. 
I did indeed get my Summerfest on!

 

Don't I look happy to be there? 🙂

 

This is me at the Rush concert.

My SIL is a saint and she came with me, even though the only Rush song she recognized was “Tom Sawyer.”

I love me some Geddy Lee, Neil Peart, and Alex Lifeson

 

SuperDad & me in the Leinie Lounger

The next night, SuperDad came with us. 

We based ourselves at the Oasis, but there was plenty to see and do along the shores of Lake Michigan.  Most of the big-name concerts don’t start until after dark (some as late as 10pm).

We didn’t stick around to hear Trace Adkins’ entire set; I was nice and accompanied SuperDad to see the last part of Blondie. 

I also love me some Leinies

Most of our time was spent chillin’ out at my brother’s home, with his wife and 3 kids. 
We went strawberry picking (and hence made pies and pies and jam and jam and smoothies). 

American Girls and their Dolls

I accompanied my niece and her friends to see the new American Girl movie, Kit Kittredge.  It was a GREAT movie!!  When it comes out on DVD, I’ll share it with my boys, because no boy would be caught dead seeing it in the theater. 

neighborhood parade on the 4th

 

And we experienced an awesome Midwest 4th of July.

assembling some of the supplies

 

 

 

fireworks in my bro's backyard

Oh, and the highest gas prices we saw?  $4.59/gallon for regular unleaded in Indiana.  YIKES!!
I’m glad to be back to $3.99/gallon at my local Costco!