Vacation

We've done a lot of travelling in our 6 years of marriage. After several long road trips and countless airplane flights, packing and preparing for trips are second nature to me! Last weekend we packed up everyone once again for a 3 day vacation with Nate's family. My brother-in-law, Adam, is home on leave from Afghanistan so we decided that a little get away was in order. After some Internet research, we found a large, gorgeous home to rent and call home for a few days.

Our first day was spent at Sea World, ooh and ahhing and the live animal shows, riding rides and splashing in the kids park.

We took a break for a gourmet picnic lunch--pb and j and chips.

I have this thing for turkey legs and try not to leave an amusement park without eating one. Can't let myself down!

Brooklynne loved the rides. She would have rode this one 100 times if we had the time. She is her daddy's child, because I had butterflies waiting in line for this tiny kiddie roller coaster and that is not a joke (which means you may not laugh).

While my children enjoyed this kiddie ferris wheel, I was taking deep breaths and hiding behind my phone to snap pictures of their un-afraid, smiley faces.

 We ended the day exhausted but happy and so thankful for the opportunity to visit such an educational, fun place.

When we got home that night, we worked together and quickly whipped up a family favorite--fettuccine Alfredo.

This house was perfect for a large family to stay in, and almost magical for the kids with it's woodsy backyard and swings.

Playing in a damp backyard resulted in dirt between my suburb-raised children's toes which was slightly traumatizing to Brooke. I smiled as daddy meticulously scrubbed between each toe.

After staying in this house, I'm convinced that our Heavenly mansions will be complete with light, airy, cool sun rooms. We spent a lot of our time out there, talking, relaxing and enjoying each other.

We spent a few hours at Chuke Cheese one afternoon, and my kids thought they were in Heaven. I haven't been there since I was very little, and my kids had been asking to go so it was the perfect opportunity. I'm not sure who had more fun, the big boys or the little boys!

On our last afternoon, we decided to have a girls spa party in the master bathroom whirlpool. Because of the jets, the bubbles grew and grew until they plopped over the sides of the tub and the girls thought it was hysterical! Our original plan to sit on the edges to soak our feet quickly turned into a bubble party for the girls, and they made themselves snowmen, Santa Claus and pretty puffy dresses. It was a blast.

 I am so thankful that I've been blessed with such a great second family that has accepted me as their own. Many daughters-in-law are not afforded the privilege to be close friends with their in-laws, and I don't take it for granted. We had a wonderful 3 days making memories that we will never forget!