Madison!

Friend/family trippers wanted a change of pace and opted to check out a new town; Madison, WI was the selected destination. I guess a few folks had spent some time there in their kid-free days stumbling about State Street and thought that it needed to be seen again with fresh eyes.

Ready for a nice car nap!

Some initial goofing around once we settle into the house.

That night we head to State Street for dinner. Here Brock is the only child who refuses to take a picture (without mom or dad) in the photo. Sheesh.

We finally get one after dinner with Matt in the picture and me coaching on the side or something.

Saturday morning we headed for Madison's famed farmer's market for breakfast (guava empanadas! and other delicious savory ones). Brock asked me to take a picture of him by the sun flowers, his new favorite.

 But it was hot. and crowded. and we all realized we didn't need to bring cheese into a hot car. Luckily the capitol building was open (the market encircles it)! A magnificent building with lots of floors to explore.

Including the top balcony! Brock discovered this "slide" and the other kids flew with it.

Piece of the action

 Then we went back in time 400 million years ago to the Cave of the Mounds outside Madison. Brock checking out a fossil.

 Brock checking out a magnifying glass.

 

 While waiting, we did a little sluicing. We found rocks and sand! and good times.

 Cave time!

 

Reflection of the cave roof in a pool.

Jonas and Kiran admiring the ancient geologic magnificence. 

  

For lunch we ate at the Grumpy Troll, a microbrewery on the "trollway" just a bit away from the mounds. The name received new meaning when Brock, exhausted from the day, showed up.

Sadly, that night I did not capture the kids antics involving a slip and slide and a blow up pool Phuc and Sherry picked up at Target (Madison proved to not have many attractions we were actually interested in). Once Brock got over his social anxieties with the other kids and had the slip and slide to himself and daddy, the boy got to slipping with skill and joy. Like a baby seal!

The next day we are off to the zoo. This was a pretty meh choice, but the kids did a closed eye hand raise ballot. It was close, we wanted House on the Rock. But zoo won. I blame the Russians.

It was also Father's Day! The gals and I made bloody mary's for the boys with a special swizzle stick.

Packing was a blast!

 That air bed does not look inviting.

 Brock and Emma in a bear trap.

We visited Brock's namesake (and Madison's icon thanks to U of WIS) the Badger. They sleep on their backs. So cute!

We did get an all family shot at the Mounds:

I am a very becoming centerpiece. It was my own fault, turns out saying "mounds" instead of "cheese" defeated the purpose. Anyhow, a lovely time with good friends!