Mama Goes to Boise! Part 1

Labor Day weekend was the much anticipated girls trip to Boise! Shelley (my college and post-college roomie and bestie!) recently relocated there, and while we get to see her when she comes to B'ham for work, we have never been to her stomping grounds, so it was a perfect excuse for a girls weekend!

We flew out Thursday early morning. I was excited to get away for some uninterrupted girl time, even though I was going to miss my peeps while I was gone!

Flying with no children was quite blissful if I do say so myself. The flight seem so much shorter and easier when you aren't trying to entertain squirmy children or worrying about snacks and potty breaks!

Notwithstanding being childless, the flights were really easy. We got to Boise by early afternoon, and after catching up for a while, we floated down the Boise river. The weather was so different than Alabama, dry, warm when the sun came out, and downright chilly in the shade! In short, it was awesome!

 We floated and chatted for the better part of 2.5 hours, while Shelley and Hunter navigated (shout out to Hunter for not only navigating but also being our photographer!).

After we floated, we headed to the local pizza place, which was delish!

The next morning was the first balloon day, so we hit the bed and got up early for the Spirit of Boise balloon festival. They kept the balloons grounded that morning because of the weather, but it was still so neat to see them!

 

Meanwhile, back at home, the kids were having the BEST time with Baba, and I loved getting my periodic updates!

 

After balloons, we hit up Big City, which was deliciousness that I can't even describe! So good! And we went for a nature walk (couldn't resist the owl picture ;)) and briefly trespassed saw the Boise State Stadium.

 Then we went home and had some down/rest time (that's what you do when you travel as an adult, have scheduled rest time, and it was glorious). 

Score another one for Baba, who after taking Lu to the park Friday morning, made it to Z's school in time to eat lunch with him for September birthdays!

That night we had dinner downtown at the Boise Fry Company, then hit up the candy store/gift shop. Hunter was our photographer extraordinaire.

 

After dinner, we went to balloon glow which was so pretty and relaxing!

 

Of course, we would have had a blast doing nothing, but it was extra fun to be there during the balloon festival. Next up, Part 2 :)

Ohio Trip Part 2

After we left King's Island, it seemed the rain set in, and didn't want to let up the rest of the time. 

It definitely didn't slow these four down though!

It didn't stop us from hanging out at Young's Dairy

Or from watching fireworks!

We had a great trip celebrating the Fourth of July together and LOVED seeing the cousins together. Next year, baby Reid will be running around trying to keep up with this bunch! We can't wait to see that!

Ohio Trip 2016! Part 1

The Friday before the Fourth we embarked on our 2nd annual road trip to Ohio to see Nana, Tata, Aunt Talia, Uncle John, Emma and Addison, and baby Reid!

Z and Lu were so excited. Lu was talking all week about going to stay at Nana and Tata's house in Ohio and going to the Great Wolf Lodge!

We headed out Friday morning, and about 9 (mostly peaceful) hours, and three stops later, we arrived at the Great Wolf Lodge. Our drive was so much better this year because it did not include a 3 hour traffic jam in Kentucky (although we did get stuck in some traffic in Cincinnati).

Listen, I would be the first to tell you if my kids were major hellions in the car, but I have to say they were CHAMPS! That was a long time to be in the car, but they rolled with it. We listened to some audiobooks, Z played on his DS, Lu played on the ipad, then they'd switch. We had lunch and snacks in the car, got some treats at the gas station, and aside from Z having to go to the bathroom again about 20 minutes after we'd just left the rest stop, we even handled our stops really well!

 We made it to the Great Wolf Lodge around 5 or so, and met up with Nana and Tata and Aunt Talia and her family at the pool/water park. Mama was tired, so I just supervised, but the kids had a BLAST hanging out with everybody! 

We had dinner at the hotel restaurant and then it was storytime, where they have little live action figures telling a story and singing songs. The GWL has to be one of the most kid-friendly places out there! The kids were having the best time! I LOVED seeing these 4 together. They were really sweet!

After dinner we headed to our favorite vacation destination: the arcade! I might add that we managed some pretty decent ticket payouts (we're pretty serious about arcades ;)). We cashed in our tickets for two souvenir stuffed wolves along with a few penny items. After the arcade, we headed back to our room where the kids had a little bunk bed/cubby area separate from us and we all crashed (although they still had quite a lot of energy I must say. The first day was a success!

The next morning, we had a breakfast buffet at the hotel and headed to King's Island. The weather was so nice, and with the kids being older than last year, and everyone in good spirits, we had a lot of fun! I was pretty impressed that Z even rode some roller coasters (as I have sworn them off for good, thankyouverymuch).

 We took a little break from rides to ride the train

And met the Peanuts characters!

 We worked up an appetite on all the fun rides, so we stopped and had lunch and took in a show. Then (at Lu's insistence) got blue cones and the girls got some treats.

As if hitting the jackpot a couple times at the arcade weren't enough, Z and Nick hit up the arcade and the carnival games at King's Island, and as you can see in the picture, scored pretty big on those, too. He and Z won that Dory and gave it to Lu :)

Next, we head to Nana and Tata's house!

Summer So Far

Summer is in full force, and so far it has been a busy one! Z is in summer camp at his former (and Lu's current) preschool, which is great because I get to drop them off and pick them up at the same place, but also exhausting because I have to drop them off and pick them up at the same place. Know what I mean?

Besides drop offs and pick ups (thank goodness for audiobooks!), we've been busy with doctor's appointments (planned and unplanned), swim lessons, and home improvement projects (planned and very much unplanned). Things have been crazy, but we've managed to have some fun amidst the chaos.

Last day of school!

Memorial Day fiesta at Superior Grill

 

Afternoon at Mama's office

 

Friday afternoon at the library  

Swim lessons!

Stretching (haha)

 

Carpet Angels

 

Celebrating one of the best for Father's Day!

 

 

Going to the movies!

And everything in between! 

We're looking forward to lots more summer adventures, including a road trip to Nana and Tata's very soon!