This past weekend, we did our annual trip to Milwaukee for tailgating and a Brewers game. Jim and I have always enjoyed spending virtually nothing on tickets and heading up north for some fun – this year was no exception. Here are some highlights from the weekend, followed by our picture slideshow:
*Apple Holler – located in Sturtevant, Wisconsin
Packed with live animals, plenty of hay bales, and fresh apples, Charlie enjoyed feeding the goats and chickens (one pellet at a time), leading us through the corn maze, leading daddy through the Cow Maze, playing in the kids’ corral & testing out the free samples of apple butter, apple spread, and various dips in the shop. We had lunch there (which is now ONLY a lunch buffet on the weekends – yucky for this pregnant woman) and snagged our dessert to contribute to the game – Dutch Apple Pie – YUMMY!
*Hotel – Brookfield, Wisconsin
We pricelined a hotel and while it’s always a crapshoot, our hotel this year was decent (apart from the banging air conditioner that forced us to switch rooms after the game). No pool, no frills means we paid next to nothing for a place to lay our heads. Charlie, for the first time in a loooooong time, slept in our bed with us which was….interesting. We made this last-minute switch because after turning off the lights and setting him in his pack-n-play for night-night, he shrieked (no exaggeration) and we figured the rest of the hotel didn’t need to hear him…
*Milwaukee Brewers Game – Miller Park, Milwaukee, Wisconsin
Our seats were in the two-seater row we discovered (by accident) last year. There is exactly a 1-row seat behind us, which we also occupy if it’s vacant (which it usually is). Two years ago, when I was pregnant, the heat was overwhelming and I nearly passed out as I baked in the sun. Last year, it was freezing and we required jeans and blankets to keep Charlie warm. This year (of course), it was hot yet again and we had a 19-month-old and 21-week-pregnant momma. This equals red faces, sweat, heavy breathing, and keeping us hydrated since we didn’t feel much like eating. Our seats were directly facing the sun for the first 20 minutes, so we enjoyed the concourse, a Sprite and some Cheesy Hat Fries (our 2nd Milwaukee hat). Charlie actually did great once we were in there and loved watching the game with his daddy and peeking out for Bernie. We snagged a free beer bottle bobblehead (?!?!?!) and ended the game with a baseball card from one of the end greeters and a great family picture. The Brewers won in 11 innings and we were thankful we only stayed for 4. Right before we left, I set the bobblehead and my camera case down to take a picture of my boys. A younger guy approached me from the bar and asked if he could BUY the ridiculous looking bobblehead from me for $10 – I have NEVER taken money so fast!! Considering we were either going to throw it out or pass it along in a grab bag, Jim was mad we didn’t get two at the beginning!
*Kopp’s Custard
The highlight of the weekend for me was when Jim suggested we swing by (crowded) Kopp’s custard for dessert. We indulged in a delicious Chocolate Peanut Butter Log with chocolate custard and it was JUST what the doctor ordered – nuts, hard chocolate shell encasing all of the custard, and peanut butter sauce….Y.U.M.!
*Frank’s Diner (Kenosha, WI)
Featured on Diners, Drive-Ins, and Dives – we got to this place in Kenosha after traveling through much of the dilapidated part of town. We didn’t wait long to be seated in the TINY place, but we waited FOREVER for our food. I partook in a half garbage plate and it was DELICIOUS with homemade toast. Charlie was VERY antsy throughout and the place got JAMMED! I can see we won’t be visiting anymore DDDs unless they are over a certain square footage!!
*Gurnee Mills (Gurnee, IL)
We finally landed at Gurnee Mills mall and enjoyed a free pretzel and walking around. Charlie HATED walking because he was afraid (?!?!) of the floor and so he was less than pleasant! He was a trooper though and I did get some shopping, including Christmas shopping done. He ended up napping for close to 2 hours while Jim and I took a break on some benches outside of Bass Pro Shop (another favorite of the day).
All in all it was an interesting, but tiring weekend. If we learned anything, it’s that doing certain things with children has definitely finally hit our limit – especially considering will be adding to the chaos in just four months!
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