Sheboygan sheybogan sheybogan

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This last summer we decided to take a summer vacation in the state of Wisconsin, preferably within 2-3 hours from our home.  We discovered on our Make-A-Wish trip that we are extremely good at being on vacation, and particularly staying at hotels, so we try to do so as much as possible.  When I was searching around the state of Wisconsin for our vacation destination, I kept coming across this beautiful resort in Sheboygan, Wisconsin.  It was right on the beach of Lake Michigan, only a tad over 2 hours from our home.  The resort had a water park inside and 4 restaurants.  Sheyboygan had a quaint little downtown area (which we do enjoy, the quaint part

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that is) with little shops and restaurants.  AND they had suites that were decorated as a fish aquarium as if you are staying inside an aquarium, with bunk beds and a rock coffee table.  It was wonderful.  And a bit more than what we wanted to pay per night.  Oh well, I moved on, and we ended up going to Minocqua, WI for our summertime fun, with lots of lakes and a very North Woods feeling (I am quoting our friends Paul & Dave for their recommendation).
Well, when we raised money for Make-A-Wish this summer, they were having a drawing for the very resort that kept popping up in my searches.  I had not a doubt in my mind that we would in fact win that 2 night stay at the resort in Sheboygan.  And we did!  Dreams really do come true.

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We decided to celebrate Ellie's birthday by taking our Sheboyagan trip in January.  I figured if we went in January the possibility of being able to upgrade to an Aquarium Suite would go up significantly.  I mean, honestly, who goes to Sheboygan in January?  Apparently we do.  And as my brother-in-law pointed out, Sheboyagan is oh so fun to say.  And how often really do you have the opportunity to pepper it throughout your speech?  It just doesn't come up very often.  Unless you have at trip planned there, that is. 

Before we went, Ben & I were discussing our trip.  I explained to him that we would be sleeping in a "bunk bed".  He said a "vunk bed"?  I said no a "Bunk bed."  He said, a "junk bed"?  I said no, a "Bunk bed".  He just could not quite get what it was and what it was called. 

[caption id="attachment_638" align="alignright" width="300" caption="Fun in the vunk/junk/bean beds."][/caption]

As we were leaving the resort, we asked every one what there favorite part of the trip was.  Now one thing I adore about Ben is how when he is asked his favorite part of something, invariably, he will reply whatever he is doing RIGHT now.  He is so in the moment, he cannot imagine anything being as great as this is right now right here.  Makes it hard to leave.  Ever. 

Anyway, as we were leaving, we discussed our favorite parts of the trip.  Ben said his favorite part of the trip was the bean bag (aka the bunk beds).  Ellie's favorite part was visiting with Betsy C.  Thom's favorite part was watching Ben's legs kicking in the swimming pool as he wore a life jacket and could maneuver himself around the pool for the first time.  Thom also enjoyed spending time relaxing with Ellie in the room.  There were so many favorite parts for me.  Of course there is

[caption id="attachment_648" align="alignleft" width="300" caption="What is a birthday without Betsy C?"][/caption]

always the aspect of vacation of connecting with my wonderful family, not having the myriad distractions of home.  One thing that stood out was deciding to go to the Water Park because so many times in the recent past I would just tell myself that I wasn't a Water Park person and stay in.  But this time not only did I go to the Water Park, but I went down the big scary (to me) slide with the dark tunnel.  I went down it screaming like a little girl.  Fun.  And then I did the other slides too.  Now I consider myself not only an excellent vacationer, but a slider too. 

Now every day or every other day, Ben will ask when we can go to a hotel again.  He just adores hotel life and before we left the resort he could not imagine going

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back to our home with all the boring tables, that were not in fact shaped as a rock.  Some how he has survived this travesty, but still wonders often when he can experience the great fun of vacation again.