Fall Break: Exploring Door County

Thursday morning started off slow in the best possible way. The kids enjoyed the game room and exploring the house while Mike and Brad ran into town to pick up our grocery orders (and other miscellaneous sundries that had been forgotten. Like a coat for Cheryl!). When they got back, Brad rounded everyone up and said that we needed to drive down the road to the pier. It was a crazy windy day and the waves on Lake Michigan were impressive.

Brad was not lying. The waves were crashing onto the pier like crazy. So, of course, we had to venture out as far as safely possible (or if you are Mike, time the waves in order to dash across the pier, touch the flag pole, and dash back) and then run out of the splash zone when the waves were larger than expected. My favorite was when I had finally talked Fiona into coming out farther by assuring her that she wouldn't get wet and then all ten of us had a shrieking mad dash back toward shore. 

It was fun, crazy windy, and so so cold. Quinn had forgotten her hat and gloves on the floor mat by the front door, so she stole my hat and thanked Fiona for having grabbed gloves and mittens. Eventually I took Mike's hat - and the girls decided to wait in the car out of the wind. You know it's a fun activity when there is a hat Ponzi scheme and several sets of tennis shoes end up in the dryer during lunch.

After lunch, we drove up to Egg Harbor to hit up the fun park. We arrived a few minutes before the Pilchers, walked to the ticket counter, were almost blown over by the wind, and decided to wait for them in our car! I was very worried about the fun factor as it was sooo cold and windy. But nonetheless, we bought tickets for mini golf, the arcade, and go-karts. Thankfully this time, everyone had remembered their own hat! 

We started with mini golf and had a surprisingly wonderful time. By hole three, Mike and I realized that the balance of competitive and non-competitive make-up of our family was making the score a sore spot. So we simply stopped writing it down. And suddenly, everyone was so happy! Quinn and Dec had back-to-back hole-in-one shots on hole 8, I sunk a hole-in-one on hole 9, and Bugs got hers on hole 13. Mike, who likely would have won had the score keeping continued, was the only V without an ace. The rest of us would like the blog record to show that!

Dec loved mini golf so much and asked if we could go back to Door County so he can golf again. We've assured him that there are mini golf courses in Minnesota and we don't have to drive all the way across Wisconsin to play. Quinn and Fiona are much like their mama and were losing interest before we made it through 18 holes - but we powered through mostly because of Dec's joy. 

After golf, the kids used their tokens and tested out the arcade games. I even got a few games of skee ball in. The break from the wind was also welcome! They traded in their tickets for handfuls of candy (as I look at the overflowing bowl of candy from Halloween - more on that later - I see that this is where the sugar rush began) and then we bundled back up for go-karts. 

Jack and Coop decided to drive their own cars, Quinn, Dec, and Hannah were all too short, and Fiona wanted to ride with someone as well. So Cheryl gamely agreed to drive her first ever go-kart and go with Fiona. The two of them had a lovely time. Quinn asked to ride with me and told me that Mike drives faster - but I drive better. 

When we were done at the fun park, we decided to hit up the candy shop in downtown Egg Harbor. The kids were so excited - until we got there and it was closed. So we all decided to walk around town and find another spot to grab a treat. Every treat shop was closed. But the pub was open! So in we went with six kids in tow and ordered a couple pints and a few desserts with multiple spoons! Problem solved. 

After dinner and another late bedtime for the kids, the adults stayed up way.too.late playing Funemployed. But it was worth it in every way. We laughed until we cried, we ate junk food, we drank, and we had so much fun. Thank goodness we got our irresponsible adult time in ... because Friday morning started out sideways!