Mini Vacation

We haven't decided yet if we are going to take a family vacation this year. I know it's the middle of July.  I know school will start soon and I will be back to work. It's one of those things that is on the list that we mean to do but we just don't.

So I decided to take the kids up to the lake.  My mom's brothers' each have a place on Lake Erie near Port Clinton, OH and they were kind enough to let us borrow their places for a week. My mom, Kellie all 3 kids and I loaded up and drove up there to spend 4 days.  It was a lot of fun in its own way and I think we made a lot of memories.

The Point at Vista Villa. The beach is beautiful and private.

Funny face time waiting for supper

Come take a picture with mommy.

Dalton wanted to take a picture of us. Not bad for 4 years old.

We saw this poster at the mall and Spencer wanted a picture with him. At least he didn't ask to bring it home!!

A really yummy blackberry iced tea from Ruby Tuesday's

Just to prove I was the grill master all week

Dinner Time

This is how we get to the beach

Spencer and his seaweed

We went out to breakfast as the famous PJ's pancake house 

This is how Viv plays on the beach. In the wagon with her kitchen set. Oh and don't forget the snack!

The boys made a new friend Jack.  What a sweet kid to play with them. Even gave them Army men to play with and then told the boys they could have them.

Me and my favorite beach blanket baby

My crew

And no trip to the lake is complete without a trip to Andy's. Andy's is the local ice cream shop. It's literally across the street from where we stay and always a fun time. Oh and the serving sizes are CRAZY!

Good to the LAST drop

Viv & MawMaw

My mom, Viv, Dalton, Spencer & Kellie. I love my life!

Family Road Trip

With the WILD success of our family trip to TN we decided that while Jason was off of work around Christmas time we would take a day trip up to Cabela's.  I had never been there and wasn't sure what to expect.  It was so much fun. If you haven't been you MUST go!

Breakfast consisted of pop tarts in the car on the way. We left EARLY!

The boys were pretty excited

LOOK OUT SPENCER!

The kids hanging out in an ice fishing shanty

Family picture time.  Sorry Viv you had to stop for a min. That girl is ALWAYS on the move.

I LOVED this Moose. He just looked so beautiful.

Me & Dalton.  Goofing around in the stroller

The boys checking out a couple of beavers and their dam

And of course a GIANT pike for Jason.  He was very jealous.

This was a fun day.  Great family memories. And no one was sick or had too big of a tantrum!

Thanksgiving & Family Vacation

For Thanksgiving last year Jason's family all met in TN and rented a cabin.  This was our first big family vacation. 

If you've never been to Pidgeon Forge or the Smokey mountains you MUST go.  The views are amazing!  I could have spent all day just sitting on the balcony. Just amazing.

This was the front door to the cabin that half the family stayed in.

Of course we had LOTS of fun on the 10 hour drive.  It should have only taken about 8 but with 3 little people you have to stop a lot and let them stretch.

Since we went at Thanksgiving, they had the cabin decorated for Christmas.  The kids LOVED this!

And while we were there we celebrated Christmas too.  Here is Viv opening one of her presents.

We also went to Ripley's aquarium.  Where we took this picture which ended up as our Christmas card picture.  We are all decked out in Purdue and having fun!

The boys loved the aquarium.  They ran and played and explored everything.

Like this Shark's jaw

3 of the 4 generations that were with us.  Vivian, her Great-Grandpa Spieth and her grandpa Stevens.

The boys got to go with Jason to the Bush's bean factory.  They had so much fun.

But Viv and I had to stay home from the factory because the poor thing was sick.  She either got the tummy flu or I think it was more likely the water didn't agree with her.  The poor thing was sick the majority of the time we were there.  So she slept most of the way home.

All in all it was a GREAT first family vacation.  Next time we will try to skip the tummy troubles but we had lots of fun and made lots of memories.  My favorite (although I don't have a picture) is the hot tub on the balcony of our cabin.  We could literally walk out of our bedroom and get into the hot tub.  This is especially fun at night.  We would put the kids to bed and go out and enjoy the cool crisp air while we soaked and talked about life.  What a great time!