One week away from civilization!

One of the many sites on the way up to Minocqua, WI.

I am back from my lovely vacation in the northern WI woods. We really had a great time. My boys were full of excitement with each new discovery. Their favorite day was the day we went to Lake Superior. The entire beach is covered with nice smooth rocks. I could not believe the rocks held their attention for so long. They played for hours and still didn't want to leave. We were the only ones on the beach, in fact, we didn't see anyone the entire time were were at the beach. It was peaceful. At the beach we didn't have a toy, a radio, a game, nothing. And yet, we were happy. I realized how much we need to do that more often than we do now.

Shhh....my favorite part of the vacation, besides watching my boys be so blissfully happy in the great outdoors, was all the yard sales and thrift stores I was able to find. I thrift shopped and yard saled from IL to the far northwoods. By the time we were returning to IL, my husband and I were humming the tune from Sanford and Sons. I even had stuff tied on the top of the van!!!

I also found these:

This one I found in Cedarburg, WI. Loved how they had things set up. They were really great to talk to also! And they were especially kind when my son (who was suppose to be being watched by my husband, was twirling their display around!)

Scrapbook store in Woodruff!

Very friendly! I could not believe how much Tim Holtz stuff they had!

Tomorrow I am hoping to have pictures of all my great finds. Some of it is soaking in the sink right now. I found the most amazing valances ever! EVER! Really, I found some cool stuff!

Did I mention I saw a real bear? REAL, as in, wild. Not in a zoo. It was so cool! We also saw bald eagles. Michelle, I did not have a mint on the pillow. :) Our accomodations were pretty good though.