Summer Roadtrip 2012: The Dells

We FINALLY made it to the Wilderness Resort in Wisconsin Dells Tuesday afternoon. We checked in with Uncle Ace, threw our bags in our room, & headed to the water park. We couldn't wait to cool off & see what these water parks were all about. Kyle & I were loving it! Cooper-not so much. He was a bit overwhelmed with it all for the first 2 days but found his groove.

Each day we enjoyed being able to spend so much time with family. We ALL (60 something of us) gathered together each night for dinner. Although it was CRAZY hot with so many people in one place-it was amazing to sit back & see what Ace & Mary Lou created. During the days we were free to do whatever we liked aka go to the 5 water parks the resort had to offer. We had a blast. It was tiring at times with Cooper but also so fun! Shout out to Grandma Pat & Poppa Marc for watching Coop (& the babies) one afternoon so Kyle & I could cut loose & have some fun.

We loved our cabin & all the family we shared it with. Onna, Karl, Scott, Amy, Kyle, & I would stay up late playing Ruckus, Dutch Blitz, & Liars Dice. Fun times. Mornings came early & Cooper's not one to sleep in so it was nice share the early morning hours with Eden, Bill, & Amy out on the back porch. 

This Mallard was right by my foot! She
wanted some food!

Kyle & Coop on the boat crossing a lake
to get to more waterpark fun.

Indoor Kiddie area

BEST invention at the park!

Yes, Cooper slept in a closet.

Cooper & Poppa

The Annual Frisbee Golf Competition
Marc took home the winning disc.

ALL these people are Ensigns at the Circus!

Pekingese Puppies at the Circus-Moose's long lost family!

Marc & Pat's Grandkids (minus Cagen)

Four generations. :)

Grandma Great. She's the best!

We had a fantastic time at the final ACE & Mary Lou Ensign Family Reunion. We love Grandma so much & are beyond grateful for this time she has given us to be all together as a family. We certainly missed those that couldn't make it. Special thanks to Grandma, ACE & all those that made the reunion happen.

It should be noted that even with NO WiFi or 3G & spotty cell phone service-WE SURVIVED! :) It actually was better without these things. We could focus on what's the most important-Family!

Summer Roadtrip 2012: Freeport

After St Louis we headed north to Freeport, IL to the Ensign family stomping grounds. I love going back to Kyle's hometown & getting to see where he spent his childhood. We rolled into town around lunchtime & stopped by to see Kyle's Grandpa ACE. It was such a special treat to hear Kyle tell Cooper about his Grandpa.

We passed HUNDREDS of wind mills on our way
to Freeport. It was an awesome sight!

We took a little spin on Route 66.

Kyle, Cooper, & Grandpa ACE

Cooper was SO glad to be out of the car.

He loved playing in the grass.

After visiting Grandpa we went headed to get some lunch at Union Dairy. It is an old ice cream parlor where they make their ice cream there & it's been open since the 1930s. So needless to say they've had time to master the tasty art of ice cream. It was so yummy! Cooper enjoyed it too. :)

Our dessert: Praline Ice Cream. YUM!

Lunch: Chili Dog & sweet potato fries.

Next we were off to see Grandma (Great). I loved being able to introduce her to Cooper & to spend time with her before all the hustle & bustle of the reunion began. She's such a great Mom, Grandma, & Great Grandma. Always sending cards & checking in on us & all of her family members. We love you!

Cooper & Grandma Great!

Finally we made it to the hotel & enjoyed seeing family as they made their way into town. We had dinner at Culvers & then headed to Krape Park. It's the BEST park I've EVER been to. We rode on the Carousel, played on the HUGE jungle gym & the boys played Frisbee Golf. We really enjoyed spending time with Kyle's parents, siblings, & their families. (We missed you, Jen!) That pretty much sums up our time in Freeport. It was an overnight stop before we continued on our way.

Carousel Time!

Baylee & Kaylee

Don't mind me-I'm just driving an old Fire Truck

:)

Cooper's First Christmas!

After our Ensign Disney reunion we loaded up the car & heading north, to good ol' Hartsville, SC. We visited so much family, ate so much food, opened presents, drove all over, had a sick baby, & didn't get much sleep that it's hard to remember it all!

Christmas Eve we went to Papa & Mama's for the Ellison Christmas Party. It was so awesome to see so many wonderful family members, some I haven't seen in years. Everyone loved seeing & meeting Cooper. (Cooper on the other hand wasn't having the best of time. He'd been throwing up all day but he was such a champ.) After eating, laughing, reminiscing, & cleaning up more puke we headed out to the Ensign Party. (I hated leaving Papa's so soon but that's the story of our lives when we are home due to having so many family members in one place. It's a blessing & a curse.) At both parties Cooper was showered with so many gifts & lots of love. Cooper even got to sit on Santa's lap! :)

Christmas Day came & went tremendously fast. Cooper woke up to some gifts from Santa. :) Kyle, Cooper, & myself then headed back down to Papa & Mama's to enjoy Christmas morning with them before heading to church. After church we had some Ensign family pictures taken followed by more family, food, & fun. 

Like I said I don't remember much of the details. It's a good thing Cooper won't remember this Christmas either because who wants to be sick for Christmas?! So now it's time for some pictures. (all are out of order)

I can't remember if I posted this already.
Cooper with Santa at our ward Cmas Party.
 

Santa left Cooper some Weeble Wobbles
in his slippers. (old family tradition)

Santa left some good stuff!

Cooper meeting Santa #2.

Cooper Christmas morning.
He just woke up so he's a little confused. :)

Ensign Family Fun

Uncle Karlito getting some practice. :)

Cooper playing with the lights.
(taken pre disney)

Cutie little Coop
(pre disney)

Katie, Coop & me
LOVED seeing her & her family!

Papa, Mama, me, Coop, & Mom
We said goodbye on our way out of town.

Our only family pic from Christmas.
(yes Kyle has a mustache, it was only there for a day
due to cutting off his christmas beard)

So even though Cooper's first Christmas may not have gone as I would've imagined, I am eternally grateful for the true reason for the season. For the birth of our Savior, as well as His life, example, teachings, & His atoning sacrifice. 

Ensign Disney Reunion 2011

It's been a month (to the day) since our Disney trip so I figured I'd better get rolling on blogging about it! :P I can't recall every detail of every day so here are a few things I'd like to mention (in no specific order).

-Cooper did amazing. I have to admit that my expectations for a 7 month old spending 5 days at Disney would be horrendous but I have been proven wrong! Cooper loved taking in ALL of the sights & even riding a few rides! :)

-I am a HUGE fan of the parent swap pass & the fast pass. Disney knows how to make Moms (& everyone else for that matter) happy!

-I had a blast being around all of the M&P Ensign crew! I am so very blessed to be a part of such a special family.

-Disney really is a magical place. I may or may not have had a 'moment' upon entering Magic Kingdom. I was surprised by what I felt being at Disney & being able to share it with Cooper. (even though he won't remember it)

-Cooper took his very first BIG boy bath in the bathtub at Disney. He absolutely LOVED it!

-We went to Hollywood, Animal Kingdom, Epcot, & Magic Kingdom & stayed at the Pop Century Hotel.

-I really enjoyed staying at Disney & taking the Bus everywhere. It's less stressful in my opinion.

-I LOVED meeting the characters even if I am an adult. :)

-Cooper got Mickey ears with his name in them.

-I appreciate all of the time, effort, money, sacrifice, running to get fast passes, etc by all of the family members to make this reunion happen!!

-The Christmas lights in downtown America by the Osborne Family were AMAZING!

-Cooper's clogged tear duct that he'd had since birth miraculously cleared up while at Disney!

Now for some pictures!

the Aerosmith Ride. FUN!

Meeting Tigger!

Eeyore was so cute. Cooper didn't know
what to think.

Uncle Karl with Tigger! 

THE LIGHTS!

Passed out!

We conquered Everest!

Loved this statue at our hotel.
My sister use to have a Mickey phone!

My boys

More lights! 

Cooper took his FIRST BIG boy bath at Disney.

Meeting Mickey for the first time. Coop loved his nose!

Donald Duck!
(As you can see Coop liked to touch the characters,
the staff didn't enjoy that so much)

Loved the Mickey & Minnie topiarys. (sp?)

I was feeding Coop & I still beat Kyle on
the Buzz Lightyear ride! :)

:)

LOVE elephants & especially BABY elephants like this one!
The Safari ride was amazing!

Sorry Mr. Racoon, I don't remember your name.

Cooper & Kyle planning out their life in Tomorrow Land.

Kyle took Cooper on Dumbo! Yay!

Happy baby Coop!

At Magic Kingdom we were able to get a Fast Pass to meet Mickey & Minnie Mouse. I have to admit, after such a long week of non stop Disney I was more ready to go back to the hotel & relax then to meet them. We, Cooper, Kyle, & myself, waited in our little group of 8 or so to go into Mickey's special quarters & meet him. There was a family in front of us that consisted of parents & 2 young children: a girl about 5 & a boy around 7. The kids were filled with anticipation, excitement, & wonder. I could tell by the boy's actions that he had a couple of 'special' things about him. (I don't know how to word it & I sincerely hope it does NOT come across offensive) I mention this young boy because I was so moved by him. The boy was about to burst with excitement. Once the door openned & Mickey was standing in front of him, the boy seriously couldn't control his love for Mickey. He just kept yelling & jumping even though his parents tried to calm & quiet him down. Finally it was the little boy's turn, he ran up to Mickey & gave him a BIG hug. During the few minute encounter he wouldn't let go of Mickey & he couldn't stop saying his name. It was so sweet to see the extra time & special care that Mickey & Minnie took with this sweet little boy. It brought tears to my eyes then & it still does when I think back to that experience. (I wish I could put it all into better words but I can't) I don't remember much from meeting Mickey & Minnie (nor can I find the super cute pictures) but I am so grateful to have witnessed the sweet innocence of that young boy.