Bop and Bug at the 'Bahn

Lots to write & lots of pictures.... stick with me on this one!

We just returned from the annual Schlitterbahn trip with Joel's family friends. There is a big group from the neighborhood that has been going for 15? 20? years. It's the same time every year, and everyone stays at the resort in the water park. We haven't been able to go the past 2 years as we have been out of town, so this was the first year the kids got to go.

Chillin' with dad...

Stroller time for everyone!

THEY. HAD. SO. MUCH. FUN!


We arrived late Friday night - close to 11. The kids probably didn't fall asleep in the car until closer to 10:30 or so. Laney woke up once when Joel opened the bathroom door where the light was on . I think she got a little scared as she had NO idea where she was, so I picked her up hoping she wouldn't wake up everyone on our end! It was actually pretty funny as she only wanted to sleep ON me. She eventually went back to sleep, and then Carter woke up. He was about half an inch away from falling off the bed, so it was probably a good thing! They slept in Saturday morning, and we got dressed and headed to the water park. We hit all of the kids' areas that morning, and then headed home for lunch and naps. Once the kids were awake, Carter and Joel ended up at the main part of the park (long story), and Laney and I went back to the same area.




Lots and lots and lots and lots of slides and tunnels and fountains and things to crawl in, under, and around. The kids just ate it up. Carter and Joel made it back to our side and then disappeared again. I saw them a few minutes later walking up to the ride (the BIG ride) right off of our balcony. Joel said he was going to take Carter down this particular ride, which I didn't believe for a second, but... I went along with it anyway.

I'll be darned if that little boy didn't come shooting down an "adult" slide just a few minutes later! He LOVED it! And I loved seeing the giant smile on his face. We were both so proud of him!! The boys stayed out until the park closed, and came back for dinner.


Carter checking out the ride he's about to go on.

It was so cold in our room and so hot outside, my camera would fog up when I took the cap off!

Check out the smile on his face! Priceless!!

Bubble King

Bubble Queen - who kept telling me "I do it" (though it sounds more like "I do dee" when she says it). Another thing she learned from brother!

The men fixed fajitas for dinner that night (a Saturday night at the park tradition), and everyone else brought out their contributions (chips, condiments, desserts, etc...). We fed and bathed the kids and put them down. Actually, Joel went to lay down with Carter and slept until the next morning!

It was hard to take too many pictures while trying to chase the kids and keep the camera dry, but I managed to get a few. Here are some other friendly faces who were with us as well!

Sunday, we got up to do it all over again. Most of the group went to tube the river, but we weren't going to do that with the kids. Joel took Carter down the "big" slide one more time, and then we all headed out for the kids' section again.

I have to say I got a little 'mushy' this weekend. I have certainly seen our kids have fun while playing, but this was definitely one of those extra-special times. Constant smiles, laughs, and energy! They never stopped until they literally passed out. Nothing makes me happier than to see them so, so happy. And then to see Joel able to spend so much time with them and him having so much fun, well... it just made for a wonderful weekend!

We were glad to get to see so many friends as well. Lots of little ones running around this year!

We met my dad and Sheryl for lunch on the way home and had a great visit with them. Of course they had goodies for the kids, though Carter held on to his AND Laney's in the car on the way home. And took them to bed last night. And has played with them all day today! I think it's safe to say the toys are a hit.