Christmas Eve in Milwaukee
Posted: Tuesday, December 27, 2011
by Julie Miklaszewicz
RVing Outpost, LLC
We traveled to Milwaukee for Christmas this year, to spend it at my sister's new house. We ended up with three vehicles heading down, because our neighbor asked us to bring her treadmill to Milwaukee (she works/lives in Milwaukee during the week and comes home up here on weekends). These neighbors do a LOT for us, so we were more than happy to help out. The treadmill didn't fit in my truck with the cap on, and with all the stuff we had to bring (and that pesky fifth wheel hitch that gets in the way of carrying anything), so it had to go in Aaron's truck. We also had to meet up with my mother along the way, because she won't drive in Milwaukee, and we didn't have room for her and her dog in my truck. So, we met up with her and my husband, Greg drove her in her car to Milwaukee.
I was amazed at the grocery stores, and I think I'm a little bit jealous of my sister due to the fabulous grocery stores she has available to her! Ya'all know I love to cook, so it goes without saying that I enjoy going to grocery stores! I spent a lot of time at the Piggly Wiggly not far from her that, when we lived there, was a Cub Foods store. It's not fair that we don't have any stores like that up here, even in Wausau or Marshfield, and especially not in Abbotsford! Oh well, I guess that's the price we have to pay for living in the middle of nowhere!
On Christmas Eve, when we were almost done making food for the evening's festivities, we took the kids ice skating at Red Arrow Park (http://county.milwaukee.gov/RedArrow11930.htm) in downtown Milwaukee. The park is located directly across the street from one of the buildings I worked in over 16 years ago. (I worked in downtown Milwaukee for about 15 years and knew those streets well, too, so it was easy to get around and get to the skating rink.)
Red Arrow Park was named to honor the 32nd Red Arrow Division of the U.S. Army (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/32nd_Infantry_Division_(United_States)).
I didn't do any skating, as I was sure that I'd break an ankle, but Linda and the kids all went and had a GREAT time! Greg didn't do any skating either, but he came with to watch and enjoy, as well. Believe it or not, but none of my kids had ever ice skated before! I know . . . they were quite deprived as children! LOL I was surprised at how well they did, as we told them it was going to be difficult. They all did great, though! I'm not sure if my nephew, Zach had ever skated before, either, because he kept stating how it was WAY easier to snowboard than to ice skate! LOL
While we were there, we had to take a picture for my mother. The kids have always called her Nana, and I found an adorable picture frame that said "I love Nana" and "Nana makes every day brighter" (or something like that). We had to get a picture of the kids to put in the frame, though! It's too bad my two nephews, Luke and KJ weren't with us, as it would have been nice to have all the grandkids in the picture, but it is what it is. We took the picture first thing when we got to the skating rink, in front of the City Christmas Tree. Here's the one we picked:
Seeing as I know everyone reading this doesn't know who all the kids are, here's another picture with their names.
I'm not sure why the pics aren't turning out as clear as they should, because I have a GREAT camera, and did very little editing to them. They should be much crisper and clearer! Oh well.
Here's a pic of the skating rink:
When you get there, if you don't have skates, you can rent them (for $7.00, but there's no time limit on them).
My handsome son, Aaron:
My lovely daughter, Erica
And of course, my adorable youngest child, Abigail
My beautiful niece (I'd kill for her gorgeous hair!), Amanda standing next to Aaron
And my handsome nephew, Zach
I helped my girls with their skates (hard to get them tight enough all by yourself when you're not used to it), and saw that Linda was having issues, too, so I ended up lacing her skates, as well!)
One of the first times around the rink:
Zach thought he was "Mr. Cool" skating around the rink! LOL
My sister, Linda, did pretty good (even with that goofy looking hat on!)
Everyone loves the ZAMBONI! (http://www.zamboni.com)
Abby discovered the ice was a lot slipperier after the Zamboni went through!
Now, we found this to be strange, and something we never saw before. But, you can "rent" a 5-gallon pail to use to help you on the ice. Most of them were used by little kids, so they could push it around and not fall down (a fabulous idea, in my book!), of course, MY family found an entirely different use for the buckets!
Even the boys got in on the fun!
Next, was Erica's turn on the bucket!
Erica and Amanda decided to go double on the bucket! Aaron was busy helping (as my niece, Amanda said "doing what our family does best – being obnoxious in public places!") LOL This must be true, because if you look closely at the picture, there is a couple behind the kids on the left that is laughing and watching them, and then there is a black man on the right, watching our kids, and completely oblivious to the fact that his own young daughter is about to be whacked in the face by a stranger's outflung hand! LOLOL Yep, that's our kids! LOLOL
This is the city Christmas tree at Red Arrow Park.
The park and building behind it where I worked on the 17th floor.
And finally, another building that I worked in (on the 21st floor, I think it was)
I'll have another entry dealing with Christmas in the next day or two. Hope everyone had a wonderful Christmas and as much fun as we did!
Julie
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