Trip to Wisconsin

We took a last minute road trip with my parents to Madison, Wisconsin this last weekend and it was amazing. My parents wanted a weekend away from work, home, etc. and planned the trip. We hadn't planned on going, but the thought of Carson going to this amazing hotel with a cute little water park won all of us over and we tagged along. Carson and Dean did amazingly well on the trip. They were both so well behaved and had a blast at the hotel pool. The hotel also had family friendly rooms which was fantastic. The boys could sleep peacefully in another part of the room while Andrew and I hung out in a different part.

On Saturday, we got up early for breakfast and then headed out for a nice walk on one of the MANY walking/biking trails in the city. We picked one over by the University of Wisconsin and Lake Mendota and it was one of the best little walks I've ever taken. It was so lovely, and the weather was perfect. I've always loved Madison, but fell in love with it even more after this weekend. It was also super fun listening to the marching band practice for the upcoming game! On Wisconsin!!

Throwing rocks in the lake

After the walk, we had lunch at one of the many vegan friendly restaurants in town and it was superb. To have such a large selection of restaurants to choose from was awesome. That's not something that happens much in Springfield.... if at all.

Then, my favorite part of the trip happened. We went to a Farm Animal Sanctuary. Talk about an eye opening experience. We got to meet, pet, and hang out with some of the most amazing, kind, loving animals I have ever met. Cows, numerous pigs, goats, sheep, ducks, geese, chickens, ponies, donkeys..... my heart was so full seeing all of those amazing animals being cared for, loved, and saved from a horrible fate.

Before our Sanctuary Tour

I think the most amazing part of the visit for me was a 700 pound pig named Winnie. Winnie was saved because she escaped from a semi that was transferring pigs for slaughter. She got out of the truck, fell onto the highway, a couple took her and then gave her to the sanctuary to heal from her road rash and injuries. She was so sweet. A 700 pound pig is intimidating, let me tell you, but to get that close and look her in the eye and have her nuzzle you while you pet her...... so wonderful. The cows were the same. They were both over 1600 pounds but loved attention and being pet.
I did not take any pictures or videos while I was there because I wanted to truly be in the moment. I wanted to experience every second of the sanctuary and give my attention to the animals who fought for their lives. ♥ Some of the animals had way happier stories than others. Some were left blind, broken, bruised.... but they survived and are living happily in their forever home and that's what matters.

After the sanctuary, it was time to go back to the hotel to rest and have dinner. There was a pizza place that delivered amazing vegan pizza to our room and after that we all crashed hard.

The not so fun part of the trip was the day we left. We thought everything was fine. We were going to stop at Whole Foods and Shopko before we left town. Once we got to Whole Foods, Carson threw up in the parking lot. We didn't think much of it because he hadn't eaten at all that morning. He refused. So, we got him to eat some cheerios and saltine crackers and he seemed to be OK. At Shopko he was also fine. I got him some Tylenol though because he felt warm. We then headed home. We stopped in Janesville for lunch and he drank some Gatorade and had something to eat. We got back in the car and that's when things got bad. He threw up all over himself, his blankets, and Andrew. We immediately stopped and got him cleaned up. The rest of the ride home went OK since I wouldn't let him eat or drink.

Dean modeling a lovely cheesehead hat. 

Once we got home, we tried Gatorade again (a very small amount) and he threw up again. This time all over my mom. So, I put him to bed without anything else in his belly and he slept almost 12 hours, woke up, drank a little, kept it down, and slept for another 3 hours. Then another nap for almost 5.

Today, you would never know he hadn't felt good. Kids are insanely resilient. I didn't feel so well today and spent majority of my day in bed. Passing a sickness around is never fun.

Anyway, it was an amazing trip and I'm so glad we went. I really enjoy taking the boys to different places and I truly adore Wisconsin. I guess it's just in my blood. I would definitely love to live up there someday if ever given the opportunity.