Thursday, June 3, 2010
Link to pictures
For those of you interested, I am getting a photo album together to post a link in the blog if you really want to see our pictures. I warn you there are a lot of them, so grab a cup of coffee or something and sit for a spell.
Greatwolf Lodge
We left Elkhart and drove to Sandusky Oh to the great Wolf Lodge as a grand finale to the trip. I did not know this but Sandusky has 4 waterparks. we talked about going back and doing Kalahari waterpark it is huge and it has an outdoor safari. Anyway, the kids did not know we were staying there so they were totally jazzed when we pulled into the parking lot. We checked in changed and played in the waterpark until it closed at 9. Then we went to Walmart and everyone picked something for dinner. Both kids had lunchables. I went on my ever famous quest for something comfort foodie with no soy. And Tom chose chicken patties. Oh and we had a request for some popcorn. So we went back to the room, threw out the picnic blanket on the floor and began to microwave food. The picnic blanket was by the fireplace so we turned it on and poured our chocolcate milk and ate our microwave dinners and lunchables. It was a great night. KIds slept late again and we were no hurry to get home so we left GWL late.
I will say this one was much smaller than the one in Williamsburg and did not have the wave pool, the flowrider or a few other slides. Still the kids had a great time and wanted to stay longer.
We drove home on the PA Turnpike which is the worst road ever. It was raining off and on, but the pay off of being in our home was great. We did witness a 7 car accident seconds in front of us. That was a bit scary.
Home later that night and the kids ran to their rooms to check on their toys.
I will say this one was much smaller than the one in Williamsburg and did not have the wave pool, the flowrider or a few other slides. Still the kids had a great time and wanted to stay longer.
We drove home on the PA Turnpike which is the worst road ever. It was raining off and on, but the pay off of being in our home was great. We did witness a 7 car accident seconds in front of us. That was a bit scary.
Home later that night and the kids ran to their rooms to check on their toys.
Legoland,American Girl Store and Chicago Pizza
We stayed outside Chicago for a night and did the Legoland Discovery center. For Joel it was awesome. They have 2 little rides one of which is a castle ride to find the dragon. He got his picture taken with Lego Batman and Lego Darth Vadar. Chloe had hers taken with Lego President Obama and Harry Potter. I had mine taken with Lego Indiana Jones
They built in the "sand" which was all tan legos. They had huge Tan lego sheets with Lego bricks and of course shovels and pails. They had a good time. They got to build with a master builder and made a squirrel. They also built their own cars and raced them. We watched 3 4D movies and then shopped in the store.
After Legoland we went to Lou Matanila's pizza(not totally sure of spelling). Got deepdish pizza. I tried to like it because it was Chicago style pizza, but I am a diehard thin crust Pizza Fan! BUT the pizza was really good and the food there was excellent. So was the service.
The next day we got up checked out, and headed to the train. We got on the MERTA and road to downtown Chicago. Came out in Union Station and it was totally grand like in a movie with the long wooden benches. Something you would see in a movie.
We walked out caught a bus and jumped off 2 blocks from the American Girl store. Chloe was way overwhelmed, but she took it in stride and readjusted. She has been saving her money for almost a year now for her own American Girl Doll. we were going to go to New York for her birthday, but we decided when we planned this trip to do it in Chicago. She wanted Lanie originally which is the doll of the year, but changed her mind when we got to the store and bought a look a like doll. WITH HER VERY OWN MONEY SHE PAID! I was so proud of her, she chose some many times in so many gift shops on the trip to walk away from things because she was saving her money and she did it! She saved her money and she bought it.
After she bought her doll, my wonderful husband suggested lunch in the cafe which was awesome. I never suggested cause I thought he wouldn't go for it, but he suggested it! He asked, they had a cancellation so we went in and had lunch in the American Girl Cafe. They brought her doll a highchair and a cup and saucer. Chloe was thrilled. So was Annabelle(her doll's name). I did not know this but you can borrow a doll, so I think if I ever go back I will borrow one for me! I tell you walking through that store brought out the little girl in me and I really wanted a doll of my own.
After the American Girl Store we walked to Navy Pier. It was overcrowed because of Memorial Day Weekend. We walked to and through Millenium Park and then to the train station. Headed back to car and then on to Elkhart Indiana.
We got in to Elkhart late in the evening and ate at Callahan's and then checked in the hotel. We were all so tired we slept until 10 minutes before check out. We had to call the front desk and ask for some more time.
It was all so very fun!
They built in the "sand" which was all tan legos. They had huge Tan lego sheets with Lego bricks and of course shovels and pails. They had a good time. They got to build with a master builder and made a squirrel. They also built their own cars and raced them. We watched 3 4D movies and then shopped in the store.
After Legoland we went to Lou Matanila's pizza(not totally sure of spelling). Got deepdish pizza. I tried to like it because it was Chicago style pizza, but I am a diehard thin crust Pizza Fan! BUT the pizza was really good and the food there was excellent. So was the service.
The next day we got up checked out, and headed to the train. We got on the MERTA and road to downtown Chicago. Came out in Union Station and it was totally grand like in a movie with the long wooden benches. Something you would see in a movie.
We walked out caught a bus and jumped off 2 blocks from the American Girl store. Chloe was way overwhelmed, but she took it in stride and readjusted. She has been saving her money for almost a year now for her own American Girl Doll. we were going to go to New York for her birthday, but we decided when we planned this trip to do it in Chicago. She wanted Lanie originally which is the doll of the year, but changed her mind when we got to the store and bought a look a like doll. WITH HER VERY OWN MONEY SHE PAID! I was so proud of her, she chose some many times in so many gift shops on the trip to walk away from things because she was saving her money and she did it! She saved her money and she bought it.
After she bought her doll, my wonderful husband suggested lunch in the cafe which was awesome. I never suggested cause I thought he wouldn't go for it, but he suggested it! He asked, they had a cancellation so we went in and had lunch in the American Girl Cafe. They brought her doll a highchair and a cup and saucer. Chloe was thrilled. So was Annabelle(her doll's name). I did not know this but you can borrow a doll, so I think if I ever go back I will borrow one for me! I tell you walking through that store brought out the little girl in me and I really wanted a doll of my own.
After the American Girl Store we walked to Navy Pier. It was overcrowed because of Memorial Day Weekend. We walked to and through Millenium Park and then to the train station. Headed back to car and then on to Elkhart Indiana.
We got in to Elkhart late in the evening and ate at Callahan's and then checked in the hotel. We were all so tired we slept until 10 minutes before check out. We had to call the front desk and ask for some more time.
It was all so very fun!
Monday, May 31, 2010
Sunday, May 30, 2010
Badlands, Snot, Wall Drug and the Corn Palace
Badlands-Bison, great rocks and formations. Warning scenic roads are winding. If you have someone like Chloe and myself best to take some dramamine first. Did I tell you she has thrown up twice now. Once in yellowstone and once on way to Snowqualamie. She does not do well on scenic roads!
Standing at the sign for a picture for the Badlands National Park Chloe sneezed as I took the picture. it is now the most favorite picture as she has snotted it all up yet is still smiling.
On the recommendation of my parents and the 6 pack we went to Corn Palace and after De Smet we did Wall Drug.
The Corn Palace is a place that started as a way for farmers to show their fruits of labor. To show that South Dakota was fertile. They covered the building in corn and oinions etc. They carry on the tradition today and change the murals every year. The corn husks cover the outside of the building and the inside. This year is travel(how appropriate). I liked the one with the airplane, joel liked the bison, tom liked the hands shaking and chloe lik the mt rushmore sall done in corn husks. Very neat.
After the corn palace we went to de smet a post all of itself. After DeSmet we decided to drive to Wall Drug. It is a really neat place. It was only mildly disappointing that the soda fountian, cafe and donut shop were closed for the season. They have all of that plus dinos outback and 27 different shopes all in one place. After we browsed we went around the corner and stayed at Best Western with the intention of getting dinner after we checked in. Guess what restaurants are closed for the season. So we had PB sandwhiches in the room. Next Day Legoland!
Standing at the sign for a picture for the Badlands National Park Chloe sneezed as I took the picture. it is now the most favorite picture as she has snotted it all up yet is still smiling.
On the recommendation of my parents and the 6 pack we went to Corn Palace and after De Smet we did Wall Drug.
The Corn Palace is a place that started as a way for farmers to show their fruits of labor. To show that South Dakota was fertile. They covered the building in corn and oinions etc. They carry on the tradition today and change the murals every year. The corn husks cover the outside of the building and the inside. This year is travel(how appropriate). I liked the one with the airplane, joel liked the bison, tom liked the hands shaking and chloe lik the mt rushmore sall done in corn husks. Very neat.
After the corn palace we went to de smet a post all of itself. After DeSmet we decided to drive to Wall Drug. It is a really neat place. It was only mildly disappointing that the soda fountian, cafe and donut shop were closed for the season. They have all of that plus dinos outback and 27 different shopes all in one place. After we browsed we went around the corner and stayed at Best Western with the intention of getting dinner after we checked in. Guess what restaurants are closed for the season. So we had PB sandwhiches in the room. Next Day Legoland!
De Smet SD
One of the most exciting days on the trip for Chloe. De Smet has Laura Ingalls Wlder homestead. It is out in the middle of nowhere. we went through towns that had populations listed of 19, 25 etc. You have to really want to go there to get there because it is out near farms on dirt roads.
She squealed with joy. She hugged and thanked us over and over. She ran down the grassed hills with glee. She loved the barn with the baby calf and the kitten. She was impressed with the little house and barn and thought the sod house was gross sand decided it was awful to live in it.
It was a wonderful experience. Joel roped a calf (statue of course). He ran around with her just as excited.
We were there before they were offically opened but they had a school group there so they let us walk around for free. They did not have the activites going like rope making, feedind baby calfes, one room school day, or any interpretive people. So, free was good. It really did not matter to chloe. She could not believe she was there.
In the gift shop, we purchased a snowglobe and thry gave the kids and Tom free candy. Broken old time candy sticks, but again free. The kids loved it. The people were super nice.
It was a joyous moment as a parent to see how happy she was. I got a little weepy with happy tears. It was a great day for all.
She squealed with joy. She hugged and thanked us over and over. She ran down the grassed hills with glee. She loved the barn with the baby calf and the kitten. She was impressed with the little house and barn and thought the sod house was gross sand decided it was awful to live in it.
It was a wonderful experience. Joel roped a calf (statue of course). He ran around with her just as excited.
We were there before they were offically opened but they had a school group there so they let us walk around for free. They did not have the activites going like rope making, feedind baby calfes, one room school day, or any interpretive people. So, free was good. It really did not matter to chloe. She could not believe she was there.
In the gift shop, we purchased a snowglobe and thry gave the kids and Tom free candy. Broken old time candy sticks, but again free. The kids loved it. The people were super nice.
It was a joyous moment as a parent to see how happy she was. I got a little weepy with happy tears. It was a great day for all.
Delaware
Seems we only need Delaware now. In Indiana today on way to Ohio. Great Wolf Lodge tonight.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)