We've begun a tradition of spending a long weekend with two of my best friends from high school and their families. We usually try to go over Memorial Day, but this year Memorial Day weekend won't work. Jill and Geoff are expecting baby #2 sometime around then. So we decided to take advantage of the MLK holiday that 4 of the 6 of us got off from work. As always, we had a fantastic time!!
Each year it seems to get a little more complicated with the number and ages of children. This year we had 4 kids Camden (3 1/2), Kade (17 months), Grace (20 months), Abby (20 months). Next year we will have a 5th child in the mix when baby Janes arrives.
Here are the three of us--Beth, Cherri, Jill
We stayed at the Wasserbahn Waterpark near the Amana Colonies in Eastern Iowa. Camden had been asking how many more days it was until we got to go swimming for a week leading up to the weekend.
Saturday morning we had breakfast then got the kids dressed in the swim gear and took them to the pool. They were so excited to finally get in the water. Unfortunately the heater wasn't working in the kiddie pool on Saturday morning so it was much too cold for the kids to play in. We were restricted to the bigger pool which was fine. They did get the heater fixed by Sunday!
They were both excited to get there and to finally put their swimsuits on.
After a couple hours at the pool, we went back to our room and the guys went to Amana to check out the Millstream Brewery. It sounds like they had fun and they came back with a few growlers of beer to drink. When the guys got back, we put the kids down for a nap and the girls went to Williamsburg to check out the outlet shopping there. We got some great deals and had a blast spending the afternoon shopping together. For supper we headed into Amana and had dinner at the infamous Ox Yoke Inn and ate some yummy schnitzel.
Sunday morning started the same way that Saturday morning started. We had breakfast and took the kids to the water park. We tried hard to get a picture of all 4 kids together, but there was always at least one that wouldn't cooperate. At least they are all in the same picture here--even if Grace isn't sitting up.
The kids ran through the halls to get to the pool!
Steve and Abby
Kade and Daddy. Kade didn't really love the water. He was happy as long as he was being held, but he didn't want to do any exploring on his own. And he certainly didn't want to be splashed in the face.
Grace and Camden just chillin on the stairs.
Sunday morning after swimming, we went into the Amana Colonies to do some shopping. Poor Kade fell asleep in the stroller and wasn't left alone by the girls. Camden and Grace took turns kissing him while he was asleep.
Grace's turn to give Kade a kiss!
One of the stops at Amana was at the Ackerman winery. We sampled some yummy wines and brought home a few bottles as well.
We had the most delicious brunch at the Ronneburg Restaurant. It was authentic German food served family style. The German pancakes were the best thing I've tasted in a long time. I think we all ate more than we needed to while we were there, but it was amazing!
After shopping it was back to the water park for some more swimming. Sorry Steve - I couldn't resist putting this picture of you up!
Kade and Daddy.
Beth and Abby going down the water slide.
Daddy and Kade going down the water slide. What do you know, Kade hated it. Surprise! Surprise!
Showing off the baby bump!
Geoff and Grace exploring in the kiddie area. Grace was very brave--she loved the water!
Camden loved it by the end too!
Daddy and Cam getting ready to go down the water slide.
Abby was full of smiles after she went down the slide.
Kade watched Camden jump off the side to Daddy and thought he would give it a try. He had fun! I think this was the only time Kade smiled while in the pool. He tolerated it the rest of the time, but he didn't love it like the rest of the kids.
Camden getting ready to jump to Daddy.
We had such a great time! Thanks for the awesome weekend Janes and Rachuts!! We can't wait until our next outing!
2 comments:
Wow.. I bet they all had a good time. I love the Monkey Cave in St.Joseph MO. It has a water park that is great too. Looks like the little ones were all having a wonderful time. Good memories..
Hi Cherri! I loved this post!! You guys all look great and it sounds like a fun weekend! Hope all is well. I think Alicia is planning a get-together for all of us sometime soon! :) Take care!
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