It has been insanely HOT!!!

Not much going on over here in our world. We have been running to VBS, gymnastics, swim lessons and swimming as much as we can.  It has been in the 100's during the day, so we try to get all our running around in the morning and then stay indoors during the day and venture back out after dinner!
Last Sunday, we packed up after Clayon's nap for our first visit to the beach this summer.  We roasted hot dogs, smores and let the kids play in the ocean.  We had a great time!!!!

Signs of a great vacation!

After stopping for lunch, the kids both passed out from exhaustion! They were both clinging to their Great Wolf mascots they picked out and didn't let go the entire 2 hour nap! I think they had a great time....what do you think?

Lego Land and Sea Life Aquarium

After swimming all morning, we took a break from the water to head to Lego Land, which was only 5 minutes from the hotel.  It is really cool to see all the structures made completely out of Legos! Clayton's favorite part of Lego land was building his own race car and then racing it.  We had to pull him away from it several times to see the other exhibits! 

 Brinley and Meredith with a giraffe made completely out of Legos

 The crew at Lego Land (dry for the first time in days...lol)

 Brinley's favorite part of Lego Land was driving the Lego card around the track.  This ride had just opened the day before we went.  Clayton was not old enough to drive them, but being redirected to the car racing made him happy!

 Right across from Lego land was the Sea Life Aquarium. We spent an hour looking at all the different sea creatures. It was pretty much the same as any other aquarium we have visited, with the exception of seeing a real octopus.  I had never seen one in person and they are quite majestic creatures!!!
Clayton loved the sharks

 The only family picture we got from the trip

 Brinley really enjoyed being able to touch the star fish

 Kids laying down in the big glass tunnel where the fish and sharks  swam

Great Wolf Lodge

We left the day after school was out to Grapevine, Tx to stay at the Great Wolf Lodge.  My dear friend and sorority sister, Rachel and her family met us there for our annual summer meet up somewhere fun! Last year, we went to Sea World!

The hotel is like a resort with a HUGE indoor water park and decorated like rustic, wooded campground.  The kids really loved their bunk beds in the room!

 We spent most of our days at the water park, only taking a one hour break for lunch and dinner! The kids had an amazing time.  Water slides were the hit of the trip.  Both our kids are dare devils and were only restricted by height for some of the slides. This green and orange slides were by far the favorites.  Clayton rode them for at least an hour at a time.  The lifeguards were laughing at him and his persistence!

 This picture was the ONLY time I could get them to slow down long enough to take a picture together.

 Brinley and Meredith

Clayton and Russ

 Brinley really enjoyed riding the "big" slides with Jason (Clayton was too short). I even rode the slides with her one day...no pictures to prove it though :-( 

 The Smith and the Lipsey kids

 Brinley and Clayton outside the ice cream shoppe at the hotel

 Before we headed home, we treated Brinley to a pedicure at the kid's spa.  She was treated to a robe, tiara, and a scoop of ice cream.  She was so excited and loved every minute of it!

 The hotel also had an arcade, which we went to every night after dinner.  The kids favorite ride was this roller coaster simulator.  It moved, dropped and vibrated them all over the place.

Great Wolf Lodge was an amazing place to stay and play.  The kids are already asking when can we go back!