More Adventures in Wisconsin

We've been in Wisconsin for six months now. It's hard to believe how the time has flown. In that time, we have done so many fun things. It's fun to look through the pictures and revisit the experience as I blog about each one... Forgive me for the delay, as I know these pictures are from a few months ago. But better late than never, right? And I didn't want to miss out on sharing with you all the grand adventures we've had of a new state to explore and experience!

We celebrated our 7th wedding anniversary at a Korean restaurant in downtown Milwaukee, followed by a short walk to see Lake Michigan. I still get the hankering for Korean food every now and then, so we hunted online to find out that there were two - yes, two - Korean restaurants in all of Milwaukee. Tragic, I know. But we're grateful nonetheless! It was a fun way to remember our time in Korea. It's crazy to believe that almost eight years ago we met at our dear friends' Stefanie and Brittany's apartment in the "small" suburban town of Suji, South Korea. Going to a Korean restaurant reminds me of our brief dating and courtship. Bam - ten months from meeting to saying, "I do!" 

After lunch we walked from the restaurant down to the yacht club and pier along the lake. In many ways Lake Michigan does seem like the ocean. The broad expanse. The endlessness of it. There are even seagulls! And yet, the waves are absent. And the smell of salt in the air. It was beautiful, and I loved seeing and experiencing a Great Lake for the first time. 

Happy Anniversary, my love! Words cannot express how grateful I am to be married to you! 

We also visited a local dairy farm just north of Oconomowoc!! A family in our church has a dairy farm that has been in their family for many generations. They invited us over for a tour of the farm, as well as a bonfire. It was so much fun! I've never been to a dairy farm, so this was a grand experience to see this family's daily life. All I know about dairy farmers is that my grandfather was the youngest (7th child) of a dairy farmer in Menomenee, right here in Wisconsin, back in the early 1900s. Yup - I have returned to the land of my peoples, coming to Wisconsin!!! :) The military took my grandfather to Virginia before WWII, and he met my grandmother at a military ball before he left to serve in Europe. He never moved back to WI. So that's my connection with dairy farms. :)

Where the cows are milked

I like the cow that's totally just chilling

Where all the milk goes just after the cows are milked 

Jody befriending a calf

I cannot imagine the daily life of a dairy farmer. Milking the cows twice a day. EVERY DAY. But it was so wonderful to get just a small glimpse of their world, and to hear the contentment and love for their farm in their voices. And to see the views from their home. These native Wisconsinites are pretty awesome people. I'm glad I get to know them. 

Fall Colors

One of the most exciting parts of living in a state with lots of trees is the whole fall season. As much as I love Colorado and the beautiful aspens in their gold splendor, the brilliance of the fall colors here in southeastern Wisconsin was breathtaking. I cannot express how much I loved watching all the trees as they turned brilliant shades of yellow, orange and red. 

During peak leave-color-changing time, over my lunch break I would take the dogs for walks and snap shots of the trees just around the neighborhoods. It was so fun to see the variations, and to watch them change from day to day. 

I didn't touch up these pictures at all. They are simply quick snapshots from right in Oconomowoc. So grateful for God's creativity!

Fall is truly one of my favorite times of the year, and I loved every minute of it! Next year I'll see if I can get some snapshots of the leaves turning colors around the lakes. :)

Hello, Wisconsin!

Two months ago Jody and I moved to the small town of Oconomowoc, Wisconsin. Since then, we have done our best to dive right in, embracing all that God has for us here. And He has been so good. We have had an incredibly warm welcoming committee of people who have gone out of their way to make us feel loved and to help us settle in. 

I am truly grateful. And I wanted to introduce y'all to this wonderful world that we now call home in all its summertime glory. 

1. Music Nights at the Bandshell

Apparently, every week during the summer a band will play at this bandshell right next to "City Beach" at Lac La Belle. Jody and I went our first week just to see... It was so fun. So small town and unlike anything I'd ever experienced before. Apparently, Crosspoint's band will be playing there tomorrow night!

2. Moonlit Movies : moonlitmovies.org

Once a month during the summer there's a town party. Everyone gets together to watch a water show, eat some kettle corn, talk with friends and watch a movie in the park when the sun goes down. This year it was Frozen, The Lego Movie, and finally, the 75th Anniversary of the Premiere of The Wizard of Oz, which was held in the downtown main street.

3. Strawberry Picking

Within a few weeks of having arrived, Jody and I went strawberry picking at Jelli's Market (farm). It was so much fun. There is a good deal of farmland right outside of town both north and south.. and even west towards Madison. So, so beautiful!

4. Summerfest

I had never heard of Summerfest before I moved here to Wisconsin. It is reported to be one of the largest summer music festivals in the world, and bands from all over come to this venue for 10-12 days. This summer we've seen both Ray LaMontagne and Crowder. So much fun!

5. The Kettle Morraine

While there are no mountains here in Wisconsin, there are beautiful forests with so much greenery, flowers and wildlife. It's absolutely beautiful. Jody and I have gone hiking and hammocking in this beautiful forest. 

6. Kayaking Adventures!

This was my first time kayaking. A new friend, Trish lent us her kayaks, so we had a blast taking them out and exploring the area in a whole new way! After living in a desert, being surrounded by so much water was anathema. 

7. The Kiltie

Apparently The Kiltie is one of the places to go in town for burgers, fries and custard. While Culver's is a chain, The Kiltie is a local spot. Jody and I had a date night treat and thoroughly enjoyed our time there!

8. The Milwaukee Brewers

Twice now Jody and I have had the incredible opportunity to see the Major League Baseball team the Milwaukee Brewers play. It is my first time seeing a MLB team, and we were in second row seats close to home base. It was incredible! I can totally get into baseball with this kind of a view!

9. Working Remotely

While Jody settles in to his job at Crosspoint, I am working from home. This is the view I have all the time. Do you have any idea how hard it is to get work done? But this too is part of the new world of Oconomowoc that is now our home. 

10. Sunsets

It is truly a beautiful place that Jody and I have moved to. I am thoroughly enjoying not driving 35+ miles every day. I love the small town feel. And I'm really excited for the grand adventure that the Lord has for us here.

Come visit!