Great Wolf Lodge Adventure!

This weekend, we had the awesome opportunity to visit the Great Wolf Lodge with my sister and fam (for free!). For our little swimmer, we figured this place would be equavalent to a trip to Disneyland. We were wrong...and right.

There were about four rides that Alexander could ride, due to his height. Since there were only six rides total, it wasn't exactly Disneyland but it was enough to keep the little man entertained. His all-time favorite activity was the wave pool, though. Picture HUGE waves that he could swim through, along with about 100 people surrounding him and he loved every minute. His version of happiness is my version of hell on earth. Water. Huge waves. My small child under the water. Sigh. I know I was the hovery mom but dang, water freaks me out. It was more fun when Eric and I could throw the boy back and forth between us but Eric scrapped his foot on the pool and his gaping wound kept him on the sidelines for most of the adventure.

After five hours of playing in the water, we headed back to the room to warm up and rest.
Yes, five hours. You read that right.

Alexander played on the iPad while he warmed up. I am going to admit right now that I didn't take many pictures. In my mind, a camera and a water park didn't go together.

And really, who looks good after a full day in a water park?

Eventually, we ended up at dinner and afterwards, our little man joined his cousin's magic wand quest. Again, no picture of him and his wand. I kinda sucked at photos. The GWL has a fun game for the kids, where they took the wands and completed quest tasks. It reminded me a lot of Eric and Patrick playing Kim Impossible at Epcot.

Minus the booze.

At the end of the night, the parents were on iPads and phones. The kids were playing the magic quest game (yes, Lorelli was in charge of Alexander without our direct supervision for several hours this weekend. Be proud of us.). And right before bed, I snapped one of three photos that I took all weekend!

Thanks Auntie Kimmie, Uncle RJ and Lorelli for the super fun time!

Happy Birthday Jo-Jo!

Happy Birthday to you!

Happy Birthday to you!

Happy Birthday, dear Jo-Jo,

Happy Birthday to you!


WE LOVE YOU!!

Easter Fun

After an awesome sleepover with Jo-Jo, Alexander awoke to find a bag from the Easter Bunny. Of course, he was so sleepy, he kept walking around it and Mommy might have had to point it out to him!

I'm embarrassed to admit that another Easter passed and we didn't color Easter eggs for a hunt. I swear, one of these years we'll get it done.
Maybe.

At least the Easter bunny makes up for it with super great presents.

Eventually, we end up at Grandma Great's house, ready for another massive egg hunt in the playroom.
For the first, and only, year, cousin Calvin takes the front of the line. Ho-Ho Papa agrees to step in as proxy.

Uncle RJ and Mommy do not like having to go last!

Before long, eggs were gathered


plates were found,

and presents were opened!


For the first time in years, Easter was a warm, somewhat sunny day, so the kids ran outside to play with Alexander's bubble maker.




Despite a few meltdowns from a very over-tired five year old, we had a lovely Easter Sunday.

Happy Easter from our family to yours!

Big Papa and Umma are home!

Alexander woke me at 7am today.

"Mama, it's time to pack my bag for my sleepover with Big Papa and Umma!"

I blearly open one eye and see the cutest face, two inches away, grinning at me

"What about you go downstairs and get started without me?"

"Mama. I know what that means. If you aren't up after 1 episode of Ice Road Truckers, I'm coming back."

It took two espisodes but he made it to the sleepover, Eric and I finally watched two Academy Award nominated movies, and hours of Glee episodes lie ahead of me.

Is it any surprise that he isn't the only one excited to have Big Papa and Umma home?

Family Vacation!

To celebrate Mommy and Daddy's fifteen years of wedded bliss, we packed the car up and headed to the ocean!

One perk to having a March anniversary is the off-season discounts for most vacation spots.
We found a great two bedroom cabin in La Push (yes, home of the Team Jacob!).

Mommy kept herself occupied on the four hour drive by taking pictures.



Once we settled in, Mommy took even more pictures.

Can't really blame Mommy for taking so many pictures. This place didn't have cable or internet!

The next morning, we awoke to the sound of waves crashing and the rain pouring outside.

Despite the rain, we can't take a trip to the ocean and not hike the Hoh Rainforest.
We packed up the rain gear and headed out.

Alexander was not at all interested in hiking.

Nothing we did or said could convince him he was going to enjoy the hike.

So, we did what any good parents would do...we started walking.

Within minutes, Alexander was running ahead of us, pointing out sights and smells of the rainforest.

"How was the hike, Alexander?"

"It was AWESOME!!"

Once we dried out, Alexander and Mommy played together while Daddy took a nap.

Silly pictures.

GoRed Fish.

Homework.

And then a movie on Mommy's laptop.


Our final morning was so much clearer that we knew we needed to get out to the beach before we left.

Father and son enjoy a moment together.

And then, Eric taught Alexander how to run from waves.

READY...

SET...

RUN!!

"Take a look at this piece of drfitwood, Mama!"

No trip is complete without a family picture.

And a really sleepy five year old.