This past weekend Jennifer, the kids and I did something we've never done before... we went on vacation by ourselves.  Now don't get me wrong we've vacationed before, however typically it's down to either my parents in Florida or Jennifer's parents in Mississippi but we've never actually just gone away by ourselves with the kids.  Why Not?  I can't even answer that question, but based upon our experience this past weekend, I can guarantee that we will be doing this much more frequently as it was a GREAT TIME!.

So where did we go?  We traveled about 4 hours north of Nashville Indiana to a small Amish/Mennonite town of Shipshewana, MI.  Now you may be asking what it was that drew us to this location.  The answer, Splash Universe, a hotel with a young kid friendly indoor water park.  Now the kids didn't have a clue that we were even going on vacation let alone to an indoor water park.  Needless to say when we arrived and explained what we were doing, they were ecstatic. 

As you can see from the pictures below we really did have a great time, and we are recommending this hotel to every family we know.  So sit back and enjoy the pictures of our family enjoying our first family vacation




The above photo was taken soon after we arrived and just before we went to the water park.  (notice all of the ladies swimsuits – Jennifer sewed all of them)

The Pictures below, show the exciting room layout...That's right, the kids have bunk beds!!

The next 4 photos help to show the layout of the water park.

The next 4 photos show the kids sliding down the kiddie slides in the kiddie pool which by the way is kept at  very warm 85 degrees (Bath Water)

Check out the Balancing  Act Below

Check him out.. He was doing pull-ups all day on this water feature located in the Kiddie Pool

Obviously it wore him out as both days he took a nap on the lazy river.

Below are the photos of the kids enjoying the FREE popcorn served at 2:00 PM

I guess I have had some influence on the kids... Now if I could influence them in other areas....

Who's ready for some hopscotch?

What a GREAT looking Family...

All of our fun of the weekend is now over and we'll be heading back home, relaxed and loving each other even more than before.

 

Below is a video of our youngest son enjoying some bubbles after dinner. 

 

The below set of pictures and videos were taken at a birthday party that our kids were invited to.  The party was held at a horse farm in Franklin, Indiana.  There, the kids enjoyed walking the horses, brushing the horses and even had a chance to ride the horses around the arena.  Needless to say, the kids LOVED it!!...  Now all I hear is, Daddy... When are we going to get a horse? 

My response... Can't you just ride a goat?  LOL

 

Isn't it funny the things we sometimes say when we're praying with our children?  Have you ever stepped back and really thought about the words you were praying, how about the ambiance of the room you were praying in?  Below is a very funny video explaining exactly what I mean.. Enjoy!

 

Although C doesn't turn three until tomorrow, we celebrated her birthday this afternoon with some close friends.  Here are some pictures of the party, I hope you enjoy them as much as she enjoyed her party.

 

Auggh!!  I just lost my whole post, and I'm not quite as inspired to rewrite it!  Suffice to say, the kids are having a blast!  We finally have enough snow (or is it the ice making the sledding go so well?!) to sled on and the kids are enjoying it thoroughly!  B. narrowly missed disaster as he slid from the house, skimmed past the laundry pole, headed for the swing set and spun out at the last moment to avoid the brier patch!  I've got a video of them too but K. is going to work on uploading that at work...check back because it is worth hearing B. yell all the way down and then shout out to D. "I'm going back up that hill!"