Sconnie Nation.

Today is our last full day of vacation in Wisconsin, which is a sad, sad thing. It's been an amazing trip all around. We flew into Chicago on the 2nd and met up with mom and dad and Sara, and then crammed into a Lincoln for the six hour hike up to Door County. We spent the Fourth of July there for so many years when I was a kid, but I personally haven't been back since 2002, and Tim has never gone. It had been too long, and after a subpar Fourth last year, I put out the call that all Miller descendants should get their butts to the Door next year. And lo, it was done!

Door County is so unbelievably relaxed. The dads golfed and then were mean to each other and Juan for the rest of the afternoon. The moms shopped for trinkets and kept us stuffed full of delicious food. The kids wandered around, went to the beach and played lawn games.

The Fourth was particularly awesome. We got up and went to the parade in Bailey's Harbor, where we saw a camel and a llama, in addition to the usual floats (though not as men many in dresses as I remember.) We spent most of the afternoon at Ellison Bay, jumping off the pier and floating around, and then had the fish boil and drinks back at the house. Before we left for the fireworks, we ended up having an impromptu dance party in the kitchen and living room area, to Dad and Kate and John's iPods. It was absolutely hilarious and so fun. Then everyone quick changed into their fireworks clothes and we headed down to the docks. Being old pros, we sat on this metal loading gate right at the water's edge, and watched the fireworks explode above. It was a good show. And then back to the house for smores, sparklers and roman candles. I topped off the evening by getting Tim to swing with me in the 20 year old hammock, purchased long ago in Puerto Rico. It didn't break out from under us - what more could you want?

I also got a chance to take Tim out to Washington Island on the Island Clipper on the 6th, and we spent the rest of the time just lazing around.

On the 7th we drove over to La Crosse for some time with Grandma and Grandpa and Uncle Emery, who is in town. Yesterday Grandma, Sara, Tim and I drove out to Maiden Rock to visit Grandma Pat, and then we chowed down at the creamery at Nelson. Man, their food is good. Their cheese curds and ice cream are GREAT. So delicious.

Today it's off for a day of manis and pedis with Aunt B, and then everyone is reconvening at Famous Daves to eat. Hooray!

Pictures to follow...