We just returned from our summer vacation - we spent almost 9 days in Galena. We filled up our time with various activities, visits from friends, time at the pool, time spent relaxing and lots of fun with Grandma and Papa.
Saturday morning the 2nd, our friends (and former across the street neighbors) Paul and Tracey Greenland and their kids Taylor, Nicholas, Addison and Aron came over to see us in Galena. The kids hadn't see each other since we moved last summer and it was fun to have them all together again. Tracey and I both commented that it felt just like old times for us all to be together again. It is great to know we have friendships like that!
Saturday evening we took the boys out for a little energy burning activity and ended up watching the hot air balloons inflate and lift off. We seem to do this at least once a year and we really enjoy it. It's fun to be up close when they inflate the balloons.
Sunday was a nice relaxing day...Grandma and Papa took the boys to the Mississippi River Museum while Brian and I went to brunch in town and then came back so Brian could get some chickens in the smoker. We ended up having some delicious grilled New York Strips along with our chicken for dinner.
Monday morning the 4th of July we headed to our 2nd annual visit to the Shullsburg, WI parade. It's a nice, long parade in a quaint Main Street setting. It was warm and a few of us ended up with a sunburn!
Our friends the Idstein's came over to Galena this day too. The boys were thrilled to see Abby and Joey. The kids get along so well and just played, played, played. We all went up to the pool for a few hours and really enjoyed our time together.
Tuesday was a pool fun day for us, as well as a fun game-night and rib smoking event. Mmm mmm, Brian smoked the best ribs I've ever had.
Wednesday was Richard's birthday, and Great Grandma and Great Grandpa Luther came over from Cedar Rapids for the day. Another great swimming day too! For Richard's birthday, he asked for a repeat of the steaks, so Brian grilled some more delicious New York Strips.
The boys experienced S'mores with some ginormous marshallmows!
Thursday dawned with the liberty bell ringing...haha, okay, Brian and I had more than 24 hours of freedom ahead of us! Diane gifted us with a free overnight in a local B&B that she had received as a thank you gift. We shopped, ate, had cocktails and generally just enjoyed our vacation! :)
We spent part of the afternoon at Jamie's Wine Studio, our new favorite hangout in Galena.
Friday we took the boys out to Chestnut Mountain to look at the Alpine Slide. They were impressed and hopefully when Grandma and Papa take them there in a few weeks they will be willing to ride on the slide!
Saturday meant it was time to go home. First, we enjoyed Farm Fun day down by the Marina. I was really impressed with everything they had for the kids - cow milking, calves to pet, arts and crafts, making your own ice cream, etc.
We had such a great time while we were in Galena. The boys are going back in a few weeks to spend a whole week with Grandma and Papa!
