Why must you be so COLD Wisconsin?

We were so BLESSED to be able to go back to WI from 30 Dec-25 Jan! Alvaro joined us for a short weekend in the middle and we had a blast. So here is major photo overload from that trip!  So proud of Bella and her great traveling spirit! :) Great little play area in our layover stop of Chicago!

Not sure if Im ever really "ready" to be greeted by that wicked WI cold....especially those crazy negatives while we were there!

So much fun to celebrate New Years with everyone and all the cousins! Lots of memories....nativity reenactment, dice game, board games, grandpas creative games, hot cocoa in the gazebo, snow fun, food and lots and lots of laughs!

This night (pics above) was so much fun as Myles and Bella entertained us all. Grandpa gave them jalapeño chips and they were acting so silly (you must check out the videos from this night on the youtube channel)

Snow and cold temps continue and Bella got sick....so sad to see her not herself but thankfully I had lots of homemade soup to keep myself warm and energized! Thanks mom!

Lots of memories with grandpa and grandma....washing dishes, baking coffee cake, playing with grandpa....also with the cousins!!!

Finally daddy arrives and Bella decides outside isn't so bad after all and she is feeling so much better by the time of his visit! She was so happy to see him.

Oh yes....the BEAUTIFUL Lenni Marie Bartlett was born while I was in WI....January 11! She is so gorgeous and perfect and I'm so so so happy I got to be there...well semi- be there ...Bella was still sick around the time Katie, my cousin had her...but we did get one quick visit when they were in the hospital still.....and more visits when they got home....and got to witness some glorious moments of new father and motherhood!!!! ;)

have I mentioned she's PERFECT! :) So proud of Katie and it is so cool to see her be a MOM! Now if this distance thing wasn't so hard.

All the toys out to play in the snow! ATV, tractor, snowmobile.....and the cousins! So fun to watch them all be together and so blessed to have mom and dad give them memories!

Cold winter WI days wouldn't be complete without some great hot chocolate!

Grandpa got out the record player and put on some tunes for Bella Rose! "come on ring those bells...everyone sing"

So the day Al had to leave Bella and I went to Sankeys to stay a couple of nights...and of course the Packers were playing...what a game! Bella loved playing with Hannah's old toys and doll house, oh and with Elliot's drums :)...ohhhhhh and I LOVED Natie's omelets in the morning! YUMMMMMM

One of the last days we were there Bella and I went with grandpa to a special trip to Fleet Farm! Maybe grandpa realizes how crazy it is to have a toddler in the store with you (especially outside of a cart!!)
We then went to the museum at UWSP....and of course a Friday night Fish Fry at Bullheads. YUM

Our trip back home to FL...so excited to see daddy! And even with waking up Bella at around 4:30 for our early departure....she did AMAZING! Mommy even got a Pepsi and hummus snack as she slept on the second flight!

It's always weird to experience such a temperature change in a matter of hours as you touch down in a different state...Bella was so happy...she wanted her shoes off and windows down! 
Thank you for a great trip FAMILIA!