The Ramsey Farm at Lesanville Update 2007

One side of my family holds it's reunion at Lesanville Farm practically every year. It's always a big hit with the kids. And this year was no exception.

And the farm has made an addition:
Heritage House
This house has a large kitchen and a dining room. If you stay at one of the farmhouses this is where your breakfast will be served. If you have a large group, like we did, you can make use of the kitchen and dining area.

The rear of the house is obviously a new addition but it was done beautifully and blends with the historic home.
The windowed wall offers a beautiful view of the pond and green fields. It will be amazing when fall arrives and the leaves are changing.
Like I mentioned, the farm is always a hit with the kids. Here they explore some old farm machinery.
And here Brenna feeds one of the draft horses some clover.

For more information on The Ramsey Farm at Lesanville visit my previous post.

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Flying? Lots of Stuff to Take?

I actually included this tip in another post but I think it deserves it's own.

With so many restrictions on baggage weights and items that you can take this tip is more handy than ever:

When we flew to Ireland we had lots of stuff that was necessary for our trip that I just wasn't sure we could easily (or afford-ably) find in Ireland. So I contacted our first B&B to inquire about sending a box of items. It arrived a few days before we did and was waiting for us.

What did I send?

• Diapers
• Wipes
• Reusable/disposable baby plates and bowls with sealable lids, disposable sippy cups and disposable utensils
• Dried fruits, baby snacks and scissors for cutting them up

All of these items were used during our trip and didn't need to come back with us. It also gave us a box to use for bringing home the goodies we purchased.

Tips:

• Be sure to call ahead and inquire before sending a package.
• Pay to confirm delivery of your package and call to check on it's arrival. If you are sending it to a hotel be sure to get the full names of the people you speak to. Try to always speak to the same person.
• Do not send anything you can not replace at a reasonable cost. Why tempt fate?

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Staying Sane On Those Long Drives

Everyone has tricks that work on their kids during those long drives. And we are no exception. Here are a few things that keep us sane:

1) In car DVD player. We don't have a vehicle with a built in, which is actually a good thing as Caelan is currently in a rear facing seat. We purchased a two-screen model so each girl can have her own screen. Pack a few movies and you're on your way. A portable DVD player is also great for hotel rooms that don't have good children's cable selections. Just make sure you get one that can plug into the wall, too.

2) Leave at nap or bed time. Nothing ensures quiet as much as a sleeping kid.

3) Pack spill-proof drinks and snacks that are small and easy to eat.

4) If the drive is long plan to stop every 3 hours- at least- for potty breaks and leg stretching. Plan ahead and find parks or interesting attractions. The AAA TripTik comes in handy for that. It will show you gas stations, detours, attractions; everything you need to make your trip as easy as possible.

5) If you know an overnight stay will be involved plan ahead. Nothing will fray your nerves more than driving around to find a hotel when you have fussy kids in the car.

6) I try to buy a few cheap, new and car-friendly toys and books. To add to the fun, wrap them like a gift and give them out every 50, 75, 100 miles.

7) Travel games. No matter how much stuff you have, if you are on a long drive you will eventually have to play some sort of game. Brenna loves to count "Macks" (semis). Or we say the colors. We point out animals, cars, buildings. As kids get older the "I Spy" game or the "license plate game" are fun options. For lots of options visit Mom's Minivan. Some of her ideas are not suitable for all kids but she is creative!

8) The most important advice I can give on driving is: Plan Ahead. Plan for the trip to be longer than it should be. Plan for potty breaks. Plan for hunger. Plan for everything that could go wrong.

Plan, plan, plan. And everything will be a breeze.

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Amana Colonies, Iowa, USA

The Amana Colonies are one of our favorite day trips from home. We go at least twice a year.

The history of the Amanas is an interesting one, centered around religious freedom and escaping persecution in their native Germany. After 10 years near Buffalo, New York the Inspirationists came to Iowa in 1855 and established 6 villages, a mile or two apart (in a circular fashion). The village of Homestead was established later to give the communities railroad access. The Amana Colonies would go on to become one of the longest lived and largest communal religious societies in America. Soon Amana became synonymous with high quality goods (think Amana appliances and woolens). The Amana Colonies are now a National Historic Landmark; be sure to visit the seven historic sites maintained throughout the colonies.

There are always great festivals and events in the Amanas. You have to expect, with the German heritage, that the Oktoberfest is a big bash. And Maifest welcomes spring. Our favorite time to visit is during Prelude to Christmas.

The shops and streets of the Colonies are decorated for Christmas. The
barn in Amana is full of Christmas trees and "live" rag dolls and toy soldiers. Santa is on hand for photos (no charge! Bring your camera!) and traditional treats are available.

But the Amana Colonies are great any time of year. I've eaten in every restaurant there (some of the best German food outside of Germany) and haven't found one that I dislike. My favorite is The Colony Inn. It was the first restaurant in the Amanas; "where family style dining began".

Amana is the main town of the colonies and that is where you will find most of the shopping. The main street is lined with wineries offering free samples. You'll also find The Chocolate Haus- hand made candies, The Amana Stone Hearth Bakery- some of the greatest breakfast pastries I've had, plus lighter fare for lunch and The Amana Meat Shop- some of the best meats in the country. And, of course, lots crafts and hand made items you just won't find any where else.

There are plenty of places to stay while in the Amanas. We love the B&B's but with the kids you will probably want to make a reservation at the Holiday Inn and Wasserbahn Water Park. Just minutes away from the Colonies the Holiday Inn is located in Little Amana right off I-80. If you golf you'll definately want to stay at Colony Oaks. The condos are very nice and the golf course is one of the best public courses in America. The condos at Colony Oaks are also great if you are a bicyclist or a nature enthusiast. The trails that run through the Colonies are easily accessible from there.

Honestly, there is so much to do in the Amana Colonies that I can't begin to list it. Download the Visitor's Guide and start planning your trip. I promise you'll have fun.

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