beach weekend

We had a Friday and Monday off in February, so Daddy & Mommy took advantage of a long weekend, and we packed our bags and headed to the beach.  We stayed with Uncle Todd, Aunt Helen, and their kids in Oma's condo, and we had such a wonderful time.  The weather was pretty chilly, but that just allowed us to do all the things we normally can't do in the summer because of the crowds.  So, we had a fun filled long weekend enjoying fun activities, yummy food, & even a few hours on the beach.

Our first activity was the WonderWorks attraction.  It looks like an upside down house at Broadway at the Beach.  (This whole area is always so overcrowded in the summer...so nice to walk around and enjoy it crowd free...and heat free!)  We were not expecting all the fun activities inside this attraction...educational things, rides, games, laser tag, ropes course, and more.  We had such a fun time.  We stayed & explored for a few hours, walked around Broadway and enjoyed Johnny Rockets for lunch (yes, complete with super yummy milkshakes for dessert), and then headed back to WonderWorks for a few more hours of fun.  We were almost sad to have to leave for our dinner plans.  We had no idea this place would be so entertaining for so long!!  Here are Daddy & me riding the bicycle.  Pedaling at certain times (which you as the rider had to figure out) made your bicycle go faster...& even go upside down!  We loved it!  Bummer that the boys weren't tall enough to do it, but they cheered us on!  

Almost there...

Then, I rode it with Kaitlyn...

...& we made it all the way around...several times.  So fun!

Daddy enjoying the sports section with the boys...they even had a basketball game that Brady really loved.  He loves shooting some hoops!  Brecken & Daddy are kicking soccer balls here!

They had this wall that you could lay into that would make your body impression show through to the other side.  We had so many laughs with this...can you figure out whose body is whose in these pictures?

(Above answer...Averie on the left...Daddy on the right)

We also found this cool bubble station.  Aunt Helen was able to put Mommy in a bubble... 

...& then, Mommy put Aunt Helen in a bubble!

Kaitlyn also had a turn!

Mommy laying on a bed of nails...

...& Stephanie...

...& Brecken!

Brady & I got to ride in this simulator ride. You pick the roller coaster you want to ride, and while we enjoy it from the inside, everyone else gets to see us on a tv screen on the outside.  It was so fun!

In line so that we can go again...& Daddy & Brecken can try it out!

The excitement & anticipation shows...

Brecken's 1st simulator ride!

Mommy watching them from the tv...Brecken's face was priceless.  He loved it!!

Daddy comparing his handprint to Shaquille O'Neal...it's close, right? :)

Daddy & Brady enjoying a simple simulator ride in a rocket ship!

Bracken watching alongside of Carter.

Then, it was time for the ropes course...we got all "saddled up" and heading up 20 feet in the air.  A variety of fun obstacles awaited us in all directions.  We got to choose our own path and explore different obstacle.  So much fun!  I loved it...

Brecken enjoyed it for about 3 minutes...& Brady loved it with Daddy's help!

After the boys each finished, Daddy & I got to explore more.  We loved it!

Brecken was so happy to watch us from the ground!

Afterwards, we headed to laser tag.  This was a first for Brecken, and he loved it...just like the rest of us!  We got all suited up and were ready for action...

...& we can also be quite goofy!  We had a blast!

After hours and hours of fun, we headed to our next adventure...Pirates Voyage for dinner.  This is a fun dinner show that we enjoyed!  Here we are with a pirate before the show!

At this show, Carter & I were each chosen to participate in the chicken race.  We had to get the chickens from one side to other before the other team does...

...so we chased them down...and won a medal!  A fun night!

The next day, we enjoyed hanging out in the room for a while...relaxing, reading, playing games, etc. It was great.  Then, while the younger kiddies were napping, we headed out to the beach...winter jackets and all.  It was chilly, but we really wanted to go on the beach!

Averie Grace

Brady Joseph

Brecken Thomas

A sunny, chilly day...

...but, we put our toes in the water, and we played in the sand!

Brecken loved using his construction vehicles!

Brady pouring buckets of water in the hole!

Then, we headed to the hot tub for some relaxation.

Crazy Brady thought it would be funny to go in the regular pool (that was so cold).  So, rather than just ease on in, he decided to cannonball his way in...it was so cold, but he loved it!  He did this a few times...that crazy boy!

Enjoying a few more minutes of hot tub fun!

Kaitlyn reading Madison & Emmersyn a story before heading out for the day!

We also enjoyed going putt-putt, shopping, yummy Italian dinner, playing games, and getting Krispy Kreme donuts while we were at the beach.  We had such a fun trip, and we shared lots of laughs together.