The Great Wolf Lodge

We spent two amazing days at The Great Wolf Lodge.

This all-inclusive hotel offers so many options 

to keep the kids busy and happy.

The main attraction is the water park.

While the weather is still cool outside,

this provides a great opportunity to play in the water.

Several water slides for kids of all ages.

The hot tub was perfect to warm up.

The lazy river is always fun.

Here's Kacey zooming out of the slide tunnel.

Abi is looking at the bucket spill over.

A close second in popularity is the Magi Quest game.

The game is basically a souped up scavenger hunt 

that is played throughout the whole hotel.

Eli & Kacey both had a wand.

Elijah recruited Pops.

It was obvious that he was having as much fun as them.

This was Elijah's second year and he advanced quite well.

Here he is checking his score.

Yeah Elijah!

There are people quite older than him playing this adventure.

  

Kacey was scoring well also.

Dani & Abi chose to get a 

little pampering at Scoops.

They are such girly girls.

The hotel schedules games and fun activities all throughout the day.

Karaoke anyone? 

Balloon animal fun.

Who doesn't love a glitter tattoo!

Two fun filled days

and four happy yungins

make for two happy grandparents.

A New Vacation Location

Ocean City, New Jersey

That's where I've been for the week.

It's my first time to visit this area 

& not my last (I hope).

As we drove onto the island the first thing I noticed was all the charming homes.

Each home has it's own individuality. 

This is the my favorite street. 

It leads to this...

The weather was overcast all week

but it didn't bother me.

I was happy to just be here.

I want one of these please.

A few things not like I'm used to...

1. The beach sand isn't as white as Florida.

2. The water is colder. 

(guess I should have assumed that)

3. The birds have more feathers.

(yes, I find that interesting)

4. surfers wear wetsuits

5. the people are so friendly

They have an amazing boardwalk with an amusement park, lots of options to shop and so many restaurants to choose from.

It's been a divine week.

I fell off my back porch last week and have been struggling with some aches.

Therefore, 

I did a little walking this week but not much.

I  was able to do little shopping, because, well, 

it must be done

 but mostly enjoyed the porch of our B&B with a book.

Ocean City is a neat place.

Hopefully Mark will have to work here 

often so I can accompany him. 

(I really just want to be a good wife)

Park Hopping

As I windex the last of the precious handprints and vacuum the Pez candies out of my car,

I'm reminded of the memories 
that were made in our home last week.

We have lots of neighborhood parks in our area. 
Too many to explore in just a few day.

Each of them offer different aspects. 
Whether by the river or offering a glider to fly on, 
they were all fun to play in.

Whenever we had a free minute,

we'd jump in the car and go "park-hopping."

I think it's one of the favorite things we did all week 
and it was free. 
That's usually the case, isn't it.

Babies always enjoy the box more than the present.

The winds were ideal for Elijah to fly his kite.

 Question of the day...

why did they build this lake around the silo?

Not sure but it makes a good photo op.

When I moved to KC,

I found out we had an American Girl store.

I couldn't wait to take the girls there.

The day finally arrived.

I love that they had to sign their names 

to pick up their girls.

Daddy is holding Sally and Hallie 

while the girls try on their clothes.

Does it need to be mentioned that we did some shopping 

during the week?

I didn't think so.

Elijah loved the Lego store.

"MiMi, I need all these shoes."

When we moved away two years ago,

my heart was broken to think that we would lose the bond that we shared since the day they were born.

It has been difficult but you do what you have to do.

I know God is in control and has a reason for it.

One of the sweetest moments during the week 

occurred toward the end. 

I was in the backseat of the car giggling 

and talking when 2 year old Abi 

adamantly says, "MiMi, I wike you." 

I said "what?"

She says, "I wike you, I wike you, I wuv you."

It did my heart good.

Family Time at MiMi's (part one)

They came!

D & D flew in last week.

They left early in the morning and didn't tell the kids where they were going.

I couldn't wait.

The kids had no idea.

What a wonderful week.

So much to tell you.

I found out a couple months ago that my kids/grandkids would be spending the first week of July with me.

Those of you who know me, know I get WAY too excited.

I plan. I shop. I collect. I make lists. I shop some more.

Anyhoo, I found lots of toys at garage sales that I knew the kids would love.

I decorated everything with red, white & blue.

Like any good MiMi,

I made sure we had plenty of fun snacks.

That cake!

Red velvet & cream cheese icing. 

To die for!

Mark & I had a game plan for pretty much the whole week.

We made reservations to spend one night at the 

Great Wolf Lodge in Kansas City.

It is a hotel designed with one thing in mind.

Kids!

The main attraction is the water park.

They have several slides to impress all ages.

Dani & Abigail were content to stay in the kiddie pool.

Eli & Kacey braved to the more daring slides 

where my camera could not venture.

They worked their way through this balancing task

and became quite good at it.

Pool basketball with Pops.

Abi found pleasure in everything.

She thrilled my soul all week.

The hotel offers so much for a family.

The girls got pampered in a salon,

walking away smelling pretty and wearing a princess sash & a crown.

They have the Harry Potter game 

throughout the whole hotel.

Eli had a magic wand 

to guide him through the game.

He & Pops played that game well past our bed times.

Next to the hotel is plenty of shopping including

the Nebraska Furniture Mart and Cabella's.

I was excited to be able to share 

my stomping grounds with them.

That's the end of day 1.

I will close with some random pictures 

that I found on my phone.

Kacey loves to take pictures.

Ha! There were about 25 pictures of the Pop Rocks and an equal amount of pictures of herself.

I love my girl!

Vegas

Have you ever been to Las Vegas?

I've never had a big interest in going but when my SIL said her company was sending her

 for a conference and asked if I wanted to join,

I was all-in!

We stayed in The Palazzo.

It was so plush.

Three TV's!

Yes, the bathroom with glassed shower, jacuzzi tub, vanity, double marbled sinks & a separate water closet also had a TV.

I chose not to carry my camera so my pics 

are from my phone or google images.

There were more pools than I needed.

Do you know what 104 degrees feels like?

I had to constantly jump in the pool.

I'm not a fan of that kind of hot.

We packed in as many things possible during our week.

I enjoyed walking through the different hotels & casinos and seeing the artistic detail throughout.

These displays are totally covered in flowers. 

The pics do not describe how large they are.

This was in the Wynn Hotel.

It was stunning.

My favorite hotel was Ceasar's Palace.

I love all the Roman statues and the grander of the hotel.

How did they accomplish curved escalators?

The famous water feature at the Bellagio 

thrilled me. I watched it several times.

I videoed it once but you need to see it in person 

to get the full effect. 

The street noise hushes when the fountain begins and background music begins to hum in the scattered speakers.

It's so moving.

I almost cried.

The famous Dale Chihuly is known for some incredible glass displays in the Bellagio. 
The balloons below are blown glass and were seen throughout.

 This ceiling below is an impressive display of his glasswork. 

 The New Yorker in Vegas reminded me 
that I was still in America 
(which was questionable at moments).

 You can see the roller coaster that weaves through the hotel.

We went to the Laugh Factory one night.
The highlight of my week was going to see 
Celine Dion.
She does an amazing concert.
I almost cried.

The best part of the trip was being able 
to spend some quality time with Delores.
We talked into the wee hours of the night
we laughed till we cried
 and we agree with each other
that some things do need to stay in Vegas.
We did agree on that, didn't we Delo!? 

Hope you are having a great week!
Any big plans for the 4th?
My kids are coming!
Yes!
Tomorrow!


Oh by the way,
I was talking to Whoopie and she sends her regards.