Family Vacation. Pt.1

We had a FAN-TASTIC time on our little vacation this past week. We've had this trip planned with my in-laws for a few months now, and I have looked forward to it sooo much. 

I don't remember a time that we've had all 3 kids that we've actually taken a vacation just for fun. Nat and I have gone alone... but not all of us. 

So I was THRILLED to see them take in all the newness of all that we had planned. Not to mention that they're all at such a fun age that they'll actually enjoy it! I was looking forward to that more than anything. 

No bottles. 

No formula. 

No 3 naps a day

No baby.

Just 3 sippy cups.

diapers for the little man and thats all the "worries" I had.

(Just another one of those - YAY!!!! Our life is getting way, WAY easier- moments. ;)

We headed to Angelo, stayed the night, and got up early to head to Grapevine for the Great Wolf Lodge. After a fun little trip of girls in one car, and guys in there other, we made it.

Although a nap should have been at the TOP of our list when arriving, we put our suits on and headed to the water park. 

Well.... not before Stetson got a "sip" of water.

 and chatted on the phone

While the guys unloaded the vehicles, us girls took the kids to the water park. 

The kids were overwhelmed with FUN! Payton, as usual, was extremely cautious and took a while to warm up to all the water. As she is not a natural water baby. But boy, oh boy, when she warmed up, she was having the time of her life. That is typical Payton though, You think she is going to hate something, but in the end turns out loving it more than anyone else did!! I like to call it "The silent joy".... cuz I can kinda relate. ;)

 Little man is one insane dude. Had he not had a designated helper at all times, he would have surely drowned. His fearless spirit was a little overwhelming when in a foot and a half of water. Thank you Lord for life jackets!!!

 Madelynn had a blast!!! She was definitely at the perfect age for this!!

 After playing in the shallow waters with the kids, we made our way to the lazy river where we were all 5 able to enjoy.

 This was a HUGE play area that was full of tons of water fun. I thought the kids wouldn't like it too much, but turns out we had the most fun up there. 

We are standing on the ground looking up...

High, right???

Ya, there were 2 twisty, turny water slides up there.... and ya, my 18 month old planted his little hiney at the top of the slide and went down all on his own. Ughh.... gave this mama a little anxiety to let him do it... but once it was done, it was done.... and it didn't stop until we MADE him stop. And then he cried.

Once supper time rolled around, we made our way back to the room to eat, and then they had a bedtime story time in the lobby that we went to. At this point in the day, after no nap, and playing in the water for hours... the kids were soooo exhausted. But, as always, they're troopers and did amazingly with what they were handed.

 We (I) was surprised when they brought out Wiley the HUGE (scary) wolf. If you know much about me, you know that I do NOT do these human stuffed things. They're creepy and I just don't want to have anything to do with them. 

Go ahead and laugh.

I'm not ashamed to admit it. 

I do, however, put my fear behind me so my kids don't see that..... and I stand in line with them till were a little too close for comfort, and I silently slip outta line and let my mother-in-law take over while I stand quietly behind my husband who shall protect me in the event that I need protection. 

After the fun in the lobby, the honey and I slipped away without the kids for some fun.

I LOVE roller coasters and I LOVE water parks. Put them together, climb hundreds of steps to slide down an amazing water slide.... mmmm sign me up!! There were no lines and we went until I was on the verge of seeing my supper again. (Sorry.)

We finished the night off with some Ice Cream!

The next day, before going back to the water park, we used up the girls' Paw Passes, which is basically all the "extra" things at a discounted rate.  

Little man snuck off to the arcade.

They got to color T-shirts.

 and themselves.

 Then they got glitter Tattoos

 while the boys waited.

 Then they got to pick, help stuff, and dress an animal. Madelynn got "Violet," Payton got "Rachel" and Bub got "Wiley." That was pretty neat for them, as Madelynn is obsessed with stuffed animals and gets very attached to them... 

 and Violet is no exception. ;)