Where's Walla: Wisconsin Lew's

We had the most incredible visit with Annie and Lew this summer. There is something very magical about Wisconsin as a place. Something so entirely other, each time I return from there I find myself more and more enchanted. But the real magic is in the people. Lew, Annie and all their friends/family are such incredible examples of authenticity, openness, and love. I feel so incredibly blessed to share such a people and place with Eden and Zion.

Lew and Annie's Home - Madison

Just look at that green grass! Such a rare sight for these California eyes these days.

Tom and Louise Pease - Country House

This is where children belong. Running free through green fields and raspberry patches with complete abandon. If I have any story book picture in my mind of how childhood should appear - then this is it. Right here in this sacred place, bursting with life all around.

This giant patch of raspberries was everything. To say it was a dream would be an understatement. The kids were in hog heaven - stuffing their faces and baskets.

Wasting no time

I spy Eden

Eden especially could not be torn away from the raspberries. On that first day she would be in the patch forever then take a little break only to go running back for more just a few minutes later.

I love these shots of Annie and Louise - deep in the patch, harvesting baskets full of raspberries.

Dream Garden

Zion loved this garden. In the morning when Zion woke up he ran out here saying "I'm hungry! I'm gonna find something to eat!"

Whenever I lost sight of Zi I could quickly find him with one of his new kindred spirits - either Tom or the pup below.

Tom and Louise harvest their own Maple syrup. I asked Tom about Maple water because Eden and I had just read about it in her Little House on the Prairie series. Tom said he did not have Maple water but he had fresh Maple syrup which he served up as a drink for the kids. Eden refused to try it but Zion was all in!

Eden was at the height of her skateboarding obsession when we left for this trip AND she had just gotten a brand new board that she hadn't gotten to use yet. So we dragged in out there with us. Along with pads, helmets etc. There was not as much opportunity as I had anticipated to use it. The sidewalks are different in Madison (for obvious reasons) just a lot more debris and uneven edges etc, that I hadn't thought about. But I think Eden was happy to have it. She really did love carrying it through the airport and keeping track of it throughout the trip.

*Lew Pic

One of my favorite things about this trip is how the kids rallied together. For the most part they really loved each other and took care of each other, it was so special and sweet.

Just looking at this pic of this property refreshes my soul...

Planning the river kayaking route

The kids had the best time jumping in this river and letting the current carry them away.

Can you see Zion's tongue?

On this kayaking trip, Zi took to calling Tom Captain. He is now forever 'Captiain Tom' to us.

I think we all had the experience of our kayak filling up with water that day. Here Zi and Tom are emptying theirs.

Another jump in spot.

After the river the girls + Zi went to a lake to swim. Zi was so destroyed from the late nights and the adventure of the kayaking that he slept for most of the time at the lake which gave Eden and I some really special time to play and enjoy each other.

Eden and Louise's sister Nancy

I wish I had a video of Zion's face when he awoke to see that he was in this magical place...

Butterfly on the beach

Zi still asks for 'Captain Tom' at various times throughout the day and week.

And Eden still asks for this pup. I think her name was Chloe.

*Lew Pic

This magical forest is a part of Tom and Louise's property and lies just behind their house. Woods like these fill my dreams and have from a very young age...

Behind Zi - up in the tree is a perch for hunting deer.

Shed for harvesting Maple syrup

Across the road (pictured above) is another portion of Tom & Louise's property with rolling green hills/pasture land.

FREE!

Gazebo for sleeping

View from gazebo

Eden bonded with Louise in a very similar way that Zi bonded with Tom. She is less vocal about it but you could see it in her actions, the way she naturally gravitated toward Louise and the fact that she would even hold hands with her is actually quite telling.

Last trip to the raspberry patches before heading back to Madison.

We stopped at this lake on our way out. I can't recall the name but it had really beautiful emerald green waters.

*Lew Pic

Circus World

As I understand it, this is where the circus would post up during the off season, now it serves as a park of sorts. The old carriages are there for viewing and are really beautiful and intricately designed. Zi got to ride an elephant at this place which was a stand out memory from the entire summer for him. When people ask him about his summer he immediately wants to tell them all about riding an elephant.

*Lew Pic

Devil's Lake

We stopped through here on our way back to Madison after Circus World. The kids were really happy here - as they are typically near almost any body of water. It really is a beautiful spot though - somewhere we could have spent a lot more time at. Maybe next time. (:

Madison Zoo

Back at Lew and Annie's House

Mimi's House

Lew's cousin lives on Lake Mendota (I think it's the biggest lake in Madison?). Their house is really beautiful in this incredible setting with a view of the Capital on the horizon, another magical Wisconsin gem.

Uncle Lars was incredible with the kids! They both really took to him and all the love he had to give. They have been fishing countless times with Jon since they were born. But Lars was really passionate about teaching the kids to fish - to the point that I wouldn't be surprised if they told you it was actually Lars that taught them how to fish instead of their dad (sorry Jon).

I love this series of Father and son

Skyline View

Mimi (who is actually the wife of Lew's cousin, who sadly recently passed) - She is such a gracious and beautiful person.

Eden's face is like that because she is parking the boat and she is super nervous that she is gonna crash.

View of the dock - I can not get over all the beauty...

Peace Flag

Mimi's House

Back at Lew's

*Eden Pic

FIREFLY'S!!!

Letting them go...

*Lew Pic

Artifacts of Lew and Annie's Home

Lew's Mom

Lew's Dad

Lars backpacking (:

View of the outside of Lew & Annie's Home

Same view - in a different light.

Union Terrace

Walking to the University - a bit more ambitious than we realized, but we survived (:

With us in this pic is Emily and her daughter Jordan. Emily is Mimi's daughter. She is really cool and mellow. Every time I have had the privilege of spending time with her I have left longing for more. A neat caveat is that her daughter Jordan also goes to a Spanish immersion school much like Eden's.

*Lew Pic

I love Annie's face in this pic. I'm sure it's exactly what mine looks like when this little baby monster is coming down on my head!

*Lew Pic

These two always have such a good time together!

*Lew Pic

Tom Pease Concert

This was a smaller concert for Tom in a small city library. It was really sweet and a perfect intro to kids concerts for the kids. And they absolutely loved watching Tom preform!