We had decided awhile back that we would have a stay-cation instead of a vacation this year. We have traveled so much this summer already and the last thing we wanted to do was waste a day locked up in the van. We figured plan a day trip or two and we'd enjoy the time off a lot more. Boy were we right!!
Dustin and I are both refreshed, the kids got to see and do some great things and we all got to spend some time with each other. The entire week was filled with glorious weather and smiles. And really...can you ask for more than that from a vacay?
Last Sunday afternoon we took the kids down to Iowa City for an overnight stay at a hotel with a great pool and water slide. The girls are too little for anything big and Josh, even with all his great swimming achievements, is still too small for anything more than what the hotel had to offer. We had a blast!! Even Ella got her toes wet!!
Monday I had a trip to the Iowa Childrens Museum planned for us. Josh had so much fun racing cars, learning about motion with golf balls and finding out about kids from around the world. Let me tell you, the exhibit that showed how different life is for children around the world was eye opening for him.
Lauren loved playing in the Pizzeria and the tot sized grocery store. If we could have left her there to play pretend the rest of the day I think she would have been happy as a clam. And even though Miss Ella couldn't enjoy all the exhibits, she sure loved watching all the activity around her.
I was particularily proud of my son in the grocery store. He was at the cash register and when I came up to check out he asked if I had any coupons. ;-) Does he know me or what?
The museum is in Coralridge Mall (lucky me) so you know I had to get my "shop" on while we were there!! We had lunch at the food court and had a perfect seat to watch all the ice skaters. Let me tell you...we had quite a few laughs at other people's expense. You couldn't pay me enough to go out there on that ice! It was like watching America's Funniest Videos without a tv!!
Tuesday was our night at the ballpark! We went to cheer on the Cedar Rapids Kernels! Unfortunately, we did not cheer them to victory.
Uncle Joel was kind enough to spend the evening with Ella and Dustin and I took Josh and Lauren to their first baseball game!
We pretty much ate our way through the entire stadium. We had burgers, hot dogs, lemonade, nachos, funnel cakes, hard lemonade (for mommy) and cotton candy!!
This was Lauren's first experience with cotton candy. I only wish I could have gotten a picture of her face when I showed her it was for eating. However, it did not take long for her to realize the goodness of the pink fluff!
Wednesday was yet another gorgeous day! We ran a few errands and picked up some sprinklers before we set out for the campground. Daddy packed up the camper while Josh and Lauren cooled off.
Thursday was camping! Dustin was in heaven and even I will admit that it was a perfect camping experience! The weather was great (again) and we all had a great time. Josh was able to practice riding his bike quite a bit and both him and Lauren found just about every acorn within a 40 foot radius.
There was some pouting...
And Lauren was scared by the man cleaning out our fire pit...
But everyone had fun!!!
Friday we tried out a new mexican restaurant for lunch. It was yum-o!! Ella ate herself into a stupor!
We did our back to school shopping after lunch and between Walgreen's and Target I saved over $118!!! Phew!
Dustin had purchased some sealer for a pipe on our roof so Friday night he decided to test our Aflac Accident policy by climbing up on the roof. Dang near gave me a heart attack but the kids thought he was a super hero. They enjoyed playing on the swingset while I frantically paced back and forth in the backyard and saying, "Are you almost done?" a million times.
Saturday we went to lunch with the rest of the Bricker clan for Dustin's birthday. And as soon as we were done with lunch I took Josh and Lauren and we ran and picked up Daddy a bunch of surprises for his birthday!
And even though it was a day early...Lauren convinced Dustin to cut into his cookie cake early! (Yes, that's chocolate frosting all over her face!)
Saturday night was family Wii night. We played Price Is Right until we had each won enough money to retire. If it were only that easy! Lauren modeled her new Dora backpack...and did so without pants.
Daddy and Ella had some quality one on one time while Josh and I played in the Showcase Showdown!
That brings us to Sunday; our last day of vacation and Dustin's 30th birthday. I'd love to tell you that we did some amazing thing to celebrate but alas, we did not. We did laundry, we cleaned, we went out for dinner and a nice walk before ice cream sundaes.
Last night Dustin and I agreed that it was the best nine days we've had in a very long time.
Let me tell you...turning 30 isn't as bad as everyone says it is, especially with the life we have!
