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vacation options - update
Update - so I just realized that Brian only has 4 vacation days left and he can't use a personal for the 5th day. For some reason I thought he could. So he would have to work either a Monday and we leave right after work, or go somewhere right after work on Friday night and head back on Thursday.
Again....I really miss his old job. Sigh!
I waited to long to have my CW look into renting a condo through his timeshare for this summer. I now have two options.
WI Dells or a place in IL that really isn't by any big town..or small town for that matter. We looked into the place in IL last year and Brian came up with some day trips that we can take the kids too, the only thing would be that on days we stuck at the resort there really wouldn't be much to do.
The WI Dells location has an indoor and outdoor pool, a children's pool, and playground. The Dells is a bit touristy for my liking and its not like the girls are old enough to go on go-karts and play putt-putt. 
Most likely we would take a day trip to Osh Kosh and one to Madison for zoos/children's musuem.
I can't say that I'm overly excited by either location but we always end up having a good time. Sometimes it is nice to break away from our daily routine and go somewhere where we can't do too much. I think the girls would have fun swiming and hanging out with us. Allison is old enough to play board games now, so we could bring a few along.
No point to this post other than for me to ramble.
Re: vacation options - update
You don't sound at all excited. Are you looking for more options, or is this it?
(also, I know I owe you a phone call - nearly no voice right now).
These are the two best options for the time share which is most cost effective for us and gives us the best setup. My CW doesn't charge us all that much for a week's stay. After staying in condos for our family vacation, it would be hard to stay at a hotel for more than 1-2 nights. We did a one bedroom suite hotel in Indy last year, which was ok, but not as nice as a spacious condo. I actually don't cooking some of the meals rather than going out every night, esp with the kids.
(this is my crazed mom look)
I actually think we could have a good time in the Dells as long as we don't spend all our time there. I can only look at so many tourist shops.
Madison is only an hour away so even if we ended up doing two day trips there, that would be fine.
I was kind of bummed because there is a place in Holland. I was hoping we could get a stay there in Sept, even though it was after peak season. I had several ideas in mind of places we could go to. A vacation rental there would be too much.
I meant to say a little bit lol not little beach
With the kids, we want to stick to a 5-6 hour drive max. We did VA Beach when Allison was 9 months old. It was a great trip and have it on our list for future trips, but when the kids get bigger.
Zoo in Toledo, OH and maybe go to Cininnati to some of the museums and acquarium there?
I was going to say that I don't think you should do either if you don't like the options. Either splurge for some place else, or skip vacation this year. I don't think it's worth the money if you don't think you're going to enjoy the destination.
However, if you're just looking to get away from the daily routine for awhile and swim in a pool, than either of these would probably work (assuming there's a pool in Illinois), right? So, I'd suggest whichever one is closer.
I'm kinda with Kasa on this one. If both places don't excite you at all, and you're looking for a nice get away, what about the Great Wolf Lodge for a couple nights? Indoor pools, and you're only hoteling it for a couple of nights which is your max with the kids anyway. You still are getting away. Then you can save those leftover vacation days and take another little trip to Holland or someplace else later. Or do a couple of day trips on a Friday to the beach on lake mi as a family during the summer to give yourself a couple long weekends. Just a suggestion.
*Note, I have no idea how much a couple nights would run you at the GWL. Or if it's appropriate for your kids' age group.
I would also lean toward maybe a shorter stay somewhere you really want to go if neither of those places are exciting for you. Although, this would be something to look forward to at the Dells. ;-)