The Dells, Part 1

Last week we had our first ever family vacation with the girls and no extended family. We went down to the Wisconsin Dells, which, for the uninitiated, is a huge vacation destination located in central Wisconsin. It has a collection of massive waterparks (both indoor and out) and other recreational stuff. There's also a lot of other outdoor activities.

On Saturday and Sunday we went to the Dells Fall Festival. It was a small town festival complete with food (not very good), games and activities for kids (awesome), hay rides, pony rides, etc. We had a good time both days.

On Saturday we decorated two pumpkins at a free pumpkin carving activity.

Kathleen and Lena decorating Lena's pumpkin.

Clare enjoying hanging out during the pumpkin decorating.

On Sunday Lena had her first ever pony ride and loved it. She talked this woman's ear off the entire ride, asking her questions about the pony, and trying to convince her to let go of the rope so Lena could ride by herself.

Lena has gone from being completely scared of animals to no fear. She pet horses, goats, llamas, alpacas and sheep. She picked up and cuddle a rabbit (much to the rabbit's dismay). And she walked up to and pet every dog at the festival.

Lena also participated in an imaginary, on-stage circus as a pony and then as an elephant (see picture below). You can also look at a video of her as a pony in our last post. Lena loved this imaginary circus, and was quite the star. Not being afraid of animals = Kathleen. Not being afraid of the stage = Adam.