Monday, August 19, 2013

Great Wolf Lodge 2013

This year our Great Wolf  Lodge annual trip was a little different...we usually go right when school gets out but this year we went right before school started, and another HUGE change...we let Henley come for the entire weekend!

She loved the kids area.  She thought is was great that she didn't have to wear a life jacket, she could do the slides by herself, and she was finally a BIG GIRL!

Her brothers would hang in the kiddie area a little (because Todd or I had to stick with Henley at all times), but they really wanted to go hit the bigger attractions this year.  They were good sports but you could tell they had graduated from this area.

This picture is worth a thousand words.  The boys number one favorite thing was the lazy river. They run through it instead of riding the tubes. BUT, Henley was a different story. Todd plopped her in my lap and pushed us through the river.  She did not like the waterfalls and all the water being dumped on us. One trip through the river and we quit torturing her.

This is much more her speed

The boys loved the wave pool too.  I was sitting back at the start of the pool with Henley and O&B just charged out...ALL the way...in the waves...water over their heads...needless to say they are WAY more brave this year which made Momma WAY more nervous.  They loved all the big slides. Both are about four inches shy of being tall enough to ride together or alone.  Under 48" must be accompanied by an adult. They are hoping for a HUGE growth spurt before next year.  It was hard making them take turns with Todd or me because one of us had to stay with little Miss, but they were good sports and didn't complain.

We tried out a new type of room too.  We usually do the room with an extra bedroom inside the normal hotel room, but there were none available.  The kids did not mind this cabin room!

Their cabin had a single bed (for Henley) on the right and bunk beds (owen chose the top) on the left with a tv for their viewing pleasure.

Guess who did not like the creatures? Hint...she's not in the pic

This was a great idea by Dad! It offered shade and a great meeting place and, of course, a great napping place!
 
 
 
 
 
 

Wands and Magiquest are a must!
 

Swimming, arcade, and ICE CREAM!!! Great day!

There were coloring stations outside the resturants, so smart!
We had a great weekend and I'm so glad we decided to squeeze in one last trip before our summer comes to an end.  I love this tradition and I'm so glad Owen insisted (repeatedly) that we needed to go back! I can't wait to see what our next trip has in store for us!

Great Wolf from my Phone

This is another glimpse of Great Wolf Lodge...from my phone's point of view


We mad it! We like to go Saturday morning and stay till Monday. The place clears out Sunday afternoon.


First night after dinner and story time, heading to the arcade



My view....ahhhhhh....btw, that huge slide pictured is the boys absolute favorite!


Hot Mess joined me in the lounge area. Yes, her glasses are upside down. Yes, her flip flops are on the wrong feet. My will to put her shoes on the right feet is slipping. The only thing I can't handle is when the toe thing is in between the wrong toes!


Can you find Henley? She was very sleepy and didn't care for the comfy bed I made her. While pouting, she slid under the chair and put herself to sleep...fine by me!


Yes, I did move her once she was sound asleep


Henley's first bee sting (in fact, first for any of my children). She stepped on the bee and let out a screech I had never heard before, cried as I pulled out the stinger, and pulled herself together rather quickly. She only cried for a few minutes. This is one tough chick!


And she finally got brave enough to get close to a character


Mess...too much of everything, way over stimulated


Sweet Brody


My three little cubs


First attempt


Second attempt


Third attempt...I give up


Headed home...exhausted!

Saturday, August 17, 2013

Squeezing It All In!

Summer is coming to a close. This past week we managed to squeeze in an insane amount of fun!


MONDAY.....we all loaded up and went to the fabulous city pool in Odessa. We've been meaning to go over there all summer to enjoy their big water slides, lazy river and just great pool. Get to Odessa...pool is CLOSED! Lovely! Back to our house to swim and play, not to bad a day! Then Pa Doss popped over for his birthday dinner.


TUESDAY...Greentree pool with lots of our pals


Brody, you never cease to amaze me with your ability to sleep ANYWHERE!


They were a little bit exhausted, to say the least. Hope they rally for our next adventure!?!


The Drive-In is next on our week-o-fun agenda! I don't know how we've never done this?


A little playground fun before our movie, Planes.


Our late gorgeous sunsets mean the movies don't start until 9:00. This means a very late night for my kiddos.


WEDNESDAY...bowling due to the rain. How cute are these little bowlers?


FRIDAY...time to try out MCC with our pack of buddies (Thursday was maintenance day for mommies so kids didn't get an adventure, so sad). Owen and Anna enjoyed the ship and sprinklers


Ice cream makes everyone happy!


We rushed home and got all cleaned up to head to the Back to School Bash


Owen was so proud of his face painting. I was proud of his patience, we waited forever in line for his masterpiece


We woke up early SATURDAY to head out on our next adventure...stay tuned!

Thursday, August 8, 2013

BIg Spring with our Partners in Crime

Courtney and I have been trying to get the kids to the pool in Big Spring all summer...

We finally made it there today. Owen was thrilled! He loves this place!

Brody was all about the slides.  I love that they can do them on their own.
 
 

Brody and Cole sharing a ride down the slide

These three boys are a mess!

Courtney was in charge of taking the ladies on laps around the lazy river while I monitor the bottom of the slide and the boys

Love these cuties!
We love our adventures with the Lunsfords. Our kids are troopers because Courtney and I usually take at least one if not ten wrong turns, but we always have a great time getting there!

Sunday, August 4, 2013

Lake Time with Pa Doss

We finally made it down to Lake Travis to spend some time with Pa Doss
 

So sad...she wanted to tube by herself...maybe next year sister?!
 
 
 

of course...
 

It's hard for Brody to sit and watch Owen have a turn on the tube.  He's chomping at the bit to get out there!
 
 

relaxing with Pa Doss

We have turned Henley into a true Lake Princess! She's the one it hard to get back into the boat!