Road Trip

Evan and I took a road trip to Milwaukee this past weekend to visit my previous Target boss, Pat, and his wife Gail.  We had perfect weather on our trip and it was great to see Pat again.  We couldn't have asked for a more perfect weekend!

The view from the main patio in back of the house:

There is a huge playset in the middle of the backyard!

Evan and Gail eating appetizers on the patio:

The landscaping was amazing - the retaining walls, perennials, etc.

The view looking over the top of the hill (closest to the patio):

View by the edge of the first level, looking back at the house:

Heading down to the second level of landscaping - the steps were removed last year and it was sodded:

The second level:

The next (third) level has a bonfire pit - you can hear the waves crashing - amazing place to sit and relax!

This bunny was on the third level the entire time we were there!

View of the lake from the third level: 

Finally - down on the beach!  Looking up towards the house - you can't even see it through all the trees!

View down the shoreline:

Gorgeous greenery on the third level, heading back up!

Teddy, Pat's 11 year old golden retreiver, waiting for me to come back up!

Inside, this is taken from the bridge between the bedrooms upstairs (there are 4 bedrooms on the upper level, 6 total).  There are three wood burning fireplaces on the main level - I can just picture myself curled up on the couch with a good book on a snowy winter day!

This is also taken from the bridge.  Why can I envision my boys trying to get on the landing above the door?

Formal living room, just inside the main entrance:

One of three formal dining rooms:

There is an office to the left, this is a butler pantry (I think that is what it is called?), and a second formal dining room to the right:

Kitchen:

(Casual?) living room:

Living room and the third dining room beyond the living room:

I didn't take any photos on the top level or the basement level - bummer!  You'll have to trust me that it was beautiful! :)

Pat and Teddy - he's holding Teddy back because Teddy wanted to follow us all the way down to the lake.  The last set of steps is pretty steep and difficult for Teddy to manuever.

Seagulls taking in the sunshine: 

Evan on the beach:

Ahhhh, can you almost hear the waves crashing?  Sigh.... What a GREAT trip!