POP AND DEE DEE

We sent you a email.

Everyone else, we will write the blog for today later.

Cell Service

Just wanted to write a quick note that we do not have cell service here.  We will try and find a cell area tomorrow.  If you need to reach us send us a email and we will go to a pay phone.

I also wanted to give you the poll results!  This is the first time nobody got the correct answer.  We have gone approximately 10,000 miles!  I know that sounds crazy but that is what the driver (Mo Dave) has calculated.  I will post a new poll tomorrow.  

As for today we swam in the pool, Peyton loved the large water slides, watched the olympics (Go USA...got to love the Olympics) and did a little fishing (Peyton caught 2 fish). It was a very nice calm day.

Point Beach State Park, ring and cable TV

First, if I haven't mentioned it "WE MISS STERLING and TANNER"!  They come back Monday and we can't wait to see them!Second, Paul I really enjoyed your commit, thanks for taking the time to write it.  I appreciate your insight and will work on looking at the deeper meaning of the art.  Although, I still think Peyton has a chance at being a Art master ;-) That doesn't say much though, I also think he will be the best doctor, astronaut, scientist, teacher, dentist, etc, etc, etc!

Well, the last couple days we just spent hanging with Peyton and the Direct TV man.  You see, we really wanted to get direct TV in the RV before the Olympics.  This has been a major challenge.  Dave has been working on it for months.  Long Story.  Well, Thursday we spent the whole day in a Library parking lot on the phone with Direct TV (4 hours) and then finally with the Direct TV man.  After 10 hours we finally left with Direct TV.  It seriously was a torturous day.  Peyton and I did spend some quality reading time in the library.  The Direct TV guy spent so much time with us that he was late for his next appointment.  Unfortunately, he did not have time to put all the TV and cords back so we will be spending more time doing that.  With all that said (there is a lot more to this story that I won't get into) we watched the opening ceremonies!  Hooray!

Friday we spent the night at a great Wisconsin state park called Point Beach State Park.  This park is situated right on the shore of Lake Michigan. We had a great time swimming in the lake which is seriously more like a ocean, waves and all.  I have to tell you all about Peytons treasure hunt!  This is crazy!  So, Pey is playing in the sand right next to where I'm laying on my towel.  He is pretending to be a pirate.  He is sitting there singing a pirate song and digging a hole looking for treasure.  A minute later he says "Awe Mattie, I found me some gold"  He puts something on my stomach that he had found.  I am not kidding, I look at my stomach and there is a man's wedding ring sitting on my stomach.  He had dug up a wedding ring!  I could not believe it!  It is a gold ring with 6 diamonds in it.  It has a date inscribed in the back but no name.  Crazy!  Who pretends to be a pirate and digs up a ring...only Peyton!  Told you Paul!  He could even be a real Pirate.  We are going to put the find in the paper and see if anyone claims it.  If no one does in a years time we are going to give it to Peyton the pirate.

Well, Friday night we drove to Sturgeon Bay and found this really cool campground with huge water slides.  We will go on them tomorrow.  Tonight we watched the opening ceremonies!  GO USA!

This is a draw Bridge we saw on the drive to Door County (Sturgeon Bay) Wisconsin.

Milwaukee, Wisconsin

First, I must tell you how much we miss Tanner and Sterling!  We have talked to them several times and they have been telling us what a great time they have had so far.  Sterling spent the first part of the week with Chase.  The Bixby family has been so great to him and Sterling has enjoyed every minute catching up with one of his best friends.  Sterling is now heading to his cousins house (Thanks Jana and Tim).  Tanner started the week with Parker at the Burman's house.  He always feels at home there and has had a blast.  He then went to his cousins house and had a wonderful time playing with them all (Thanks Jana and Tim Krumal).  I will have them give you a full recap when they get back.  I need to thank Pop and Dee Dee for picking the boys up at the airport and helping to coordinate their time in Sac.  The boys are looking forward to spending the weekend with them.

Well, after some more swimming and fishing we left Yogi and stayed the night outside of Milwaukee (SC).  The next morning we headed into the city.  Milwaukee is a beautiful city full of life.  I have been here before on one of my GMS shows and was very excited to be back.  We started the morning at the famous Milwaukee Art Museum.  Just looking at the building that holds the amazing collection is breathtaking.

When we arrived at the welcome desk we were greeted by the nicest girl (Emily).  She had also traveled around the US and gave us some wonderful tips as to where to go on our adventure.  When you first enter the museum you are blown away by the uniqueness of building.  The windows surrounded by numerous white beams in the lobby immediately grab your attention.  It is spectacular but not as spectacular as the view from the windows. The shores of Lake Michigan.Once inside the museum you are surrounded by the works of many famous artists including Claude Monet, Jules Bastien-LePage, Renoir, Edmund C. Tarbell and so many others. I really was amazed by the Egyptian, 30th dynasty mummy coffin.  Peyton loved a few of the exhibits in the contemporary art section.  One made you feel as if you were walking in a 3D mirror maze. It was hundreds of lighted neon cords hanging from the ceiling in a dark room. You got to walk thru them which was very exciting for Peyton.  The other one was a box that you stepped into and you were surrounded by little light dots.  You really felt like you were in a Star Wars movie.  Peyton thought it was cool.  Dave made his own art in the shadow room.

After the art museum Peyton wanted to go to the Discovery Museum which was located next door.  This was very interactive and quite fun.  It also had an aquarium inside it.  One of our favorite exhibits was the bee hive room where we experienced a 4D presentation of the solar system. Peyton spent the entire time trying to grab the planets.  Peyton was also really amazed by the bed of nails (I know... this just gives Good Sam ammo) and the aquarium.  Peyton is very intrigued by fish right now.  He would actually rather catch them than look at them.  Although he did enjoy petting the sting rays and sturgeon, and feeling the star fish.  

Peyton also had fun pretending to be the captain of a ship.
After the museum we headed downtown for dinner.  We had a nice dinner on the river at a place called Rock Bottom Brewery.  We then headed to a place that I had been to last time I was in Milwaukee called the Safe House.  This place is really cool. You have to know the passcode to get in.   If not, you have to earn your entrance by doing something silly.  Dave and his mohawk danced like a ballerina.  It was quite cute.  Once inside you realize that everyone in the restaurant can see you do the dance.   The whole place is a tribute to spies with a bunch of hidden fun things for you to discover.  We just walked thru, but Peyton thought it was really cool.  Getting in was tough but getting out was even more fun.  You go into a phone booth dial a number then get then secret code that when entered a secret door opens that takes you down stairs, through an old brick tunnel, then out to an alley.  Pretty cool.  We then headed back to the RV very exhausted but with lots of great memories.

Thought of the day:  So, inside the museum there was a ton of incredible art.  There was also some contemporary art that seriously looked as if Peyton did it (I honestly think Peyton could have done it better). I seriously don't get it!  How can a canvas painted a solid color be considered such fine art that it is in a art museum? Do people really look at this art and say "Wow" this is amazing!  What an artist!  What technique! What artistic ability!  I think it is like the Emperors New Clothes.  People in the art industry want to look as if they can see things that the average Joe can't.  I think they see the same scribble that the average Joe but act as if they are seeing a masterpiece so that others see them as masters.  I could be wrong since I admit I am just an average Joe and maybe the naked king really is wearing clothes.  I guess "art" really is in the eye of the beholder and it least it gives one hope that anyone can be a world class artist!

From Jelly Belly to Jellystone

We actually did not stay at WM last night!  We stayed in an unnamed upscale condo/apartment parking lot near Lake Michigan in Racine, WI (yes Good Sam that is cause for concern).  After a late start and a few errands we headed to Yogi Bear Jellystone RV Park.  This place is so much fun!  They have so many really fun amenities and activities for kids including a water park, mini golf and a pillow jump.  Peyton had a blast swimming, playing at the park, shooting water balloons and jumping on the pillow trampoline.  We also spent quite a bit of time practicing Peyton's bike riding.  He almost has it!  After dinner Pey and I went to tuck Yogi the Bear into bed.  We sat with Yogi during story time and then Peyton gave him a hug and tucked him in.  We really had a nice day here and we are looking forward to all the activities this campground has planned for tomorrow.

By the way, if you haven't checked out "Save the Hulsebus Family" blog it's worth a peek.  We have included a link on the top right of this (our) site.  Choose a side and leave a message.  We haven't lost our sanity! (OK, Dave's hair is borderline)!

Illinois Beach State Park, Jelly Belly Factory and Racine, WI

Another day without Tanner and Sterling!  We really do miss them.  Although we have to say we are really enjoying our alone time with Peyton!  We also are amazed at how much quieter and more peaceful it is.  Not that T&S are loud and crazy.  It's just with one there is no fighting, wrestling or arguing.  Without the fighting there is so much less stress.  Peyton really does miss his best friends.  

The shore of Lake Michigan is so beautiful and also quite amazing.  Looking at a map you don't realize how large the Great Lakes are.  These gigantic bodies of water contain no salt... Weird!  We have all loved swimming in the water and collecting amazing rocks along the shore.  If you like unique rocks this is the place to come.  Peyton, Dave and I have really enjoyed searching for the coolest and most unique rocks.  Dave and Peyton had a blast surfing waves in the tire shaped inner tube thanks to a brisk western wind.  Dave and I both had an opportunity to run along the shore of Lake Michigan (a deer almost ran me over on my run, it was actually quite scary).  We even took advantage of the beautiful scenery and took some pics (Dave did a mohawk modeling session).  

After a relaxing afternoon we packed up and headed to the Jelly Belly factory.  The funniest moment was watching Dave trying to put on the required Jelly Belly hat.

We finally came up with a solution.  I think the other people where more entertained with Dave's hair then the rest of the tour.  Since we have gotten use to the Mo we really enjoyed the tour of the factory.  It is amazing how those little sweet treats are made.  I was also very surprised at how many other candies the Jelly Belly factory makes.  Including the Hulsebus Family favorite "chocolate" anything.  After the tour on the cute little train we were whisked into the factory store.  They had a tasting bar that you could sample anything the factory makes.  I enjoyed the tastier treats while Peyton tried some more unique flavors including baby wipes, vomit and skunk spray...yuck!  We ended up buying quite a lot of Jelly Belly candies and treats.

After the Jelly Belly factory we drove through Kenosha to Racine, Wisconsin.  That's the same place we bumped into McCain a few days ago (well, we didn't actually bump, Dave stocked him).  We ate a very reasonably priced meal on the marina at Chancey's and then walked around and looked at the boats.  

P.S.  If you haven't clicked on the "Save the Hulsebus Family" link at the top right of our page I suggest you do so.  We would love for you to comment on the blogspot site that "Good Sam" has created so that we can decide whether or not we need to be saved!  As mentioned previously, there is a not-so-sizable reward out to determine who the perpetrator is behind such a defamatory website as this one ;-)

We Miss Tanner and Sterling!

Well, before I address our Sabotage from the anonymous "Save the Hulsebus Family" blog Creator (see comment under post "Happy Birthday Cindi").  I want to fill you in on our last few days. 

On the 31st we went to Six Flags Great America north of Chicago.  Tanner and Sterling were so excited about getting on a plane and seeing their friends later that day that they weren't too excited about the park and kept asking, "when are we going to head to the airport?"  It was a fun Six Flags except it was so hot and humid.  At around 4 p.m. we headed to the airport for the boys' 8:30 p.m. flight.  Good thing we left early, we hit traffic due to rush hour and road construction.  It took us twice as long to get the the airport as we expected.  We still had plenty of time when Dave dropped me and the 2 boys off.  I got them checked in and through security.  Their flight was delayed by half an hour so we went and got a snack.  They were on a overbooked United flight and their unassigned seats (I hate when they won't give you seats when you book the flight) were not together.  After much insistence and perserverence I finally got them sitting next to each other.  I cried watching them board the plane.  It is so difficult watching your babies get on a plane that you are not going on with them.  Good thing for security or I probably would have chased the plane down the runway and somehow pulled them off.  The funny thing is that even though I was freaking out the boys were totally calm and excited to fly alone.  I watched the plane take off and knowing that they were in Gods hands now, I headed back to the RV.  I knew once they got to Sacramento they would be in good hands.  Pop and Dee Dee (Dave's parents) picked them up at the airport and kept them for the night.  Friday, Sterling will be staying with the Bixbys, then on Wed he goes to his cousins and then on the weekend he will be back with Pop and Dee Dee.  Tanner goes to the Burmans then to his cousins on Monday and then back to the Burmans on Wed night and then will also spend the weekend at Pop and Dee Dees.  Peyton is going to have a lot of one-on-one time with us.  After 1 a.m. Chicago time we received a call from Tanner that they arrived safely and they were headed to Pop and Dee Dee's house. Yeah, thank you God!

Friday, after the night at Mr. Sam Walton's place ;-) we headed to the Apple store again!  This time we walked out with a phone!  Hurray!  I now have the new G3 and Dave finally has a phone that works (he has my iPhone which I just got a new replacement for 2 days ago, so it is also brand new).  After the Apple store we ran a few more errands and then headed to the Illinois Beach State Park on Lake Michigan.  When we arrived Peyton ran to the fishing lake.  He has now decided that fishing is his favorite thing to do because the last time he fished he caught one every time he dropped his irresistably, juicy worm into the water.  Well, I warned him that this time it wouldn't be that easy.  So he threw his line in the water and immediately caught a fish.  I was totally amazed.  We re-baited and threw his line out again and immediately he caught another.  So now Peyton is convinced that he is the world's best fisherman and that whenever he throw his line in a fish will jump on.  He also asked Dave if they had fishing in the Olympics because he wants to win.  

After fishing we walked down the short path to Lake Michigan and went for a swim.  All of us really miss Tanner and Sterling and we thought of them a lot during the swim because Peyton found a ton of skipping rocks and he really wanted his brothers to skip rocks with him.  After the swim we had dinner and watched Matilda in the RV.  Did I mention that we miss T&S!  We love you guys!

Well now we must discuss our anonymous saboteur!  So we were very blown away this morning when we casually logged on and innocently went to our site  hulsebusfamilydream.blogspot.com to check our comments and make a post... we couldn't believe our eyes when we saw... the Save the Hulsebus Family comment.  Wow!  What is one to think!  Are we just fooling ourselves?  Do we just think we are living the dream when in all actuality we need to be saved?  Are we losing our minds and hanging out with trailer trash?  Are we the Trailer Trash that the the term Trailer Trash was termed from?  Have we really lost any ability for rational judgement?  Are we really turning into "Mexican day workers?" (Actually, Mexican day workers are sadly making more money then us vagabonds).  How did this anonymous blogger know that we hardly bathed?  Did he actually catch a whiff of our odor in the wind from so far away?  Could be possible, the lake water doesn't get us all that clean.  My question to all of you is, "Is living in greater Roseville/Granite Bay really the normal life?"  I think not!  There is nothing normal about our friends.  They are about as abnormal as they come.  A few of them are down right CRAZY!  One in particular... but we won't mention any names.  By the way, we did live right under the power lines in our non-mobile home in Granite Bay.  Did that mess with our heads?  I guess there is no way of knowing.  Well, I guess the debate is on.  Are we crazy?  Do we need saving?  We think not, but we could be wrong.  By the way how does saving aluminum foil help us in any way?  

WANTED:  ANY INFORMATION ON THE IDENTITY OF "GOOD SAM" (IS HE REALLY GOOD OR IS THAT JUST A COVER?) HUGE REWARD WILL BE GIVEN FOR ANY CLUES.  

small print - due to the nature that the rewarders are just homeless vagabonds with no permanent address don't count on ever collecting your reward.  

HAPPY BIRTHDAY CINDI!!!

First I want to say July 30Th is Cindi's Birthday!  HAPPY BIRTHDAY!  More beautiful than when we met in Santa Monica almost 16 years ago.  The boys and I started her day with breakfast in bed and homemade birthday cards.  After we got going we headed out of Oshkosh (or as everyone has been saying, "OshKosh B'Gosh!  We can't help saying it over and over again).           

  -This smiley was made by one of the planes from the air show-

 We drove to Milwaukee, WI.  Known for uh... beer?  Weren't Laverne and Shirley from here?  I don't know.  Who cares?  Anyway... we visited our 3rd "most time spent in a store" store -- Apple.  WalMart and BestBuy rank higher although GameStop may beat Apple.  Anyway Cindi likes the new iPhone which is OK with me because I didn't qualify for the iPhone (remember me waiting in line at the Apple store for ever and walking out with nothing)  this way I can have hers and she will qualify for the new one.  A plug for Apple... the iPhone is awesome and we actually use it a lot on the road helping with all sorts of things.  For example, it helps us navigate, find cheap gas, determine the names and artists of songs (a very cool app she loaded), jogging partner for the tunes, and of course for texting and talking.  After our shopping excursion we fou

nd the cheapest diesel in the area thanks to gasbuddy.com (another plug).  $4.32 per gallon plus 5 free drinks.  Not bad, comparatively speaking.  We then decided to take Cindi out to dinner and she picked... Sushi (what else).  Unfortunately there is no Minuki's (Cindi's favorite restaurant back home) so we settled on a Japanese Sushi place, Nanakusa, near downtown Milwaukee.

It was getting late but we wanted to get dessert and continue to celebrate with cake, candles and a song so we headed south on the 94 when our night took an interesting turn.  As I'm driving I see a couple motorcycles with lights on escorting a bus.  I pointed it out to Cindi and said, "I'm not sure what that is but I wonder if maybe they are escorting prisoners or something."  We were ahead of the bus on the freeway so Cindi, who always has to be in the action and know what's going on, told me to slow down and let them catch up.  As they came up along side us it became evident that this was a big deal with motorcycle cops, sheriff vehicles, unmarked cars, then the big bus.  On the bus it read, "McCain." 

So we proceed to drive right next to the bus.  After all, we were at the same height and could see John talking on his cell behind the bulletproof glass (our Monaco Diplomat didn't come with that option).  Everything was fine until the Secret Service starting shining the blinding lights at me and motioning me to stay back.  Then it hits me... I am sporting the nice tall lid (I need to measure the height).  I was giving the bus the thumbs up and saying they got my vote (although I didn't vote for him in the primary) but they prepare for guys like me, "crazy wacko mohawkers from California (CA plates)."  They were not happy with a 40' motorhome driving right next to McCain's bus and were very sternly insisting I fall back.  Actually I think they were yelling at me but they had yet to brandish their automatic weapons.  Looking back, I think the 3 kids hanging out the side windows helped us look less threatening.  So I had to slow down and get behind the other unmarked, tinted windowed, lights ev

erywhere Suburbans, and staff vehicles and settled in behind the Press Bus.  When they exited the freeway miles down the road I'm thinking, "might as well follow them."  It's not like we even really knew where we were headed.  So we followed the caravan into a Marriott hotel in Racine, WI.  By the time we pulled in and headed to the lobby John McCain had already been whisked up to his room and it was just security and press that remained, everywhere.  Oh hey I should mention that I put on a hat so as to not be "taken down" trying to enter the hotel.

OK so we were back on the road.  With all the Baskin Robbin 31 Flavors closed now, we just decided to drive all the way to Gurnee, Illinois home to a Six Flags Great America Theme Park north of Chicago.  Once we arrived at the WM we broke out the ice cream and candle (and banana thanks to Pey) and sang Happy Birthday to MOMMY!  The kids got a little crazy with the whipped cream as you might be able to see in the last photo.

p.s.  Mitch and Cody thanks for the posts.  Mitch we actually didn't pay to go into the AirShow as it was going to be something like $120. Plus we would have had to join the EAA for $40 and pay for a 3 night minimum for the RV.  We probably should have anyway but oh well we did get as close as we could and saw a lot.  Didn't do the show justice though.  Did I see a CH14 there? 

p.s. again..... note from Cindi...since I didn't style my hair on my birthday and its looking quite the mess.  I thought I would post a picture of my new haircut when it is actually done (this is a rare sight since I am way too lazy to do it on a regular occasion.