Dutch Wonderland

Monday morning we headed up to Lancaster, Pennsylvania to play at a really fun children's amusement park called Dutch Wonderland.  The boys have been really looking forward to it and sweet Tyce kept asking if he got to come too (being left behind when we went to Utah is still fresh in his mind).  We left about 8am expecting a little bit of rush hour traffic (going through DC and Baltimore is always fun!) but it was far worse than we had anticipated due to rush hour and two car accidents.  We ended up pulling over in Maryland to eat breakfast then got back on the road.  Five hours later (almost double the expected time) we arrived.  The weather was perfect, cloudy and 70s!  Warning: picture overload!!

The first thing they wanted to do was ride the train... 

 My poor dad was such a trooper, he was really sick but still made the most of the trip...

 Tyce, Josh, my mom, and I riding "The Dragon's Lair"...

 Tyce LOVED this ride...

 It whips you around the corners pretty fast and they seemed surprised each time, hahaha...

 Grandpa and his boys waiting to ride the swings...

Grandpa was such a hero because the tilt-a-whirl (or turtle whirl in this case) made Parker, my mom, and I SO sick.  We found out that Josh gets motion sickness too, poor kid..

Jackson was the only one tall enough to drive his own car and he was so excited.  It was hilarious watching him because he didn't know he was on a track and actually thought that if he didn't steer perfect he would go off the road into the grass.  He was SO focused the entire time!  Hahaha..

Waiting for the Princess and the Frog dive show to start, they loved it and wanted to see it again.  Jack sat in the splash zone and got soaked!

The Kingdom Coaster is by far the "scariest" ride and the only one that, as an adult, is pretty enjoyable.  The twins loved it and Tyce was begging to go on it but was too small  :( 

 But he loved riding down the slide with daddy!

 Daddy and Josh...

 Grandp and Jack...

 Daddy and Tyce (I took him also but no one ever takes pictures except me!)...

 Cute boys posing on the horse and buggy...

We left the park around 7pm, grabbed dinner, then checked into our hotel where the boys swam for an hour or so.  We stayed at this great resort called Eden's Resort and we really enjoyed it.  The rooms were nice, the breakfast was yummy, plus there's lots to do.  We had hoped to let the kids play in the outdoor pool/sprayground but it ended up being too cold and a little rainy so they played ping pong, football, golf, and on this cute playground at the hotel.  We were sad to check out because it was a great place! 

The kids were SO tired that night and I thought they looked cute...

 Tuesday morning after we checked out we headed back to Dutch Wonderland...

 Tyce loved this froggy ride and since there were no lines he rode it over and over and over...

 Grandma and Grandpa found the perfect place to rest...

 Once it was warm enough we got our suits on and played in the waterpark that's part of the park...

Tyce did this slide for over an hour.  I really don't think he understands the concept of a line because he kept cutting in front of other kids but did so so innocently!

 Jackson LOVED going down the big slides with daddy...

After we showered and got dressed we let them do two more rides, the Monorail (long, boring, and HOT) and the carousel...

On our way home we stopped at Applebee's for dinner because we had three kids eat free coupons.  1.5 hours later, after terrible service and tired kids (Tyce fell asleep sitting on my lap which he NEVER does), we were fed.  The good news is...after all the discounts for terrible service plus a mistake on our bill our total was only $2.72!  Can't beat that!  

We got home about midnight and were all exhausted but so glad we went.  It was super fun having my parents there too to share in the joy of watching the boys enjoy themselves.  Wednesday we went swimming at our pool then had to bring my parents to the airport, always the crappy part.  The good news is Parker and I get to see them in three weeks for our ADULT ONLY TRIP TO MCCALL!!!  I'm a little excited  :)

Father's Day!

Father's Day was pretty low key this year but I was super excited because my parents were here so I was actually able to BE with my father on father's day!  Yay! 

After church we opened presents...

The boys got Parker this cute frame with their names engraved on it.  I got Parker the Nationals hat that he is wearing, however, before Father's Day he went out and bought the same one!  My boys are so lucky to have a daddy that is so involved, patient, loving, accepting, energetic, unselfish, and fun.  Parker is their light and their life, they are such daddy's boys.  When he gets home from work their faces light up and they're at his side the rest of the night.  Their favorite things to do with him are play sports, wrestle, have movie nights, read stories, and play games.  I love Parker for the father that he is to our children.

Grandpa also got a picture...

 And a Kindle...

 Look at those dimples...

I am so glad I got to be with my dad on father's day, if you know me at all you know I absolutely adore my dad and always have.  My dad and I are very similar, we're the most alike in our family, and thus we've always been close and had a special bond.  I could write a novel on why he is the best dad in the world but, suffice it to say, he's everything I ever wanted and needed in a dad.  He is hilarious, genuine, unselfish, fun, strong in the gospel, treats my mom so well, good provider, good listener, perfect shoulder to cry on, gives the best hugs, and loves loves loves his daughters (especially me, hehe just kidding sis!).  When I was young I wanted to marry my dad and then as I got older and came to terms with the fact that that was both illegal and gross, I wanted to marry someone just like him.  Poor Parker, that's big shoes to fill, but he's doing a great job.  I love you daddy, you know that.  I love you so much!

After presents we had dinner, showers, then cuddle time for Grandma and Jackson...

 Earlier in the week Grandma took Tycee to get a donut and I thought this was too cute not to share...

HAPPY FATHER'S DAY TO MY WONDERFUL HUSBAND, DAD, FATHER-IN-LAW, AND GRANDPAS!!!  I LOVE YOU ALL!!!

Josh the All-Star

Josh had a great season in t-ball as well.  He, not surprisingly, had a lot of natural talent and caught on very quickly.  He played third base most of the season and did great, he has quite the arm!  Josh is lucky that he has natural talent because he is stubborn and does NOT like to be taught.  When Parker tries to coach him on his hitting, catching, or throwing Josh gets annoyed big time.  He was fun to watch and he really enjoyed himself.  Here are some pics from the team mom...

These are from practice (notice the tongue out, ALWAYS out!)...

 Josh was selected by his coach to play on the all-star team.  He thought he was pretty cool... 

I love watching Josh play sports.  He is so determined, loves a challenge, is very smart, very athletic, and very coordinated (all of which he got from his daddy, but he got his adorable dimples from me!!!)  I love you Joshy!!!

Jackson the T-Baller!!!

T-ball season is over so I decided to do a post about each boy and their experience this year.  The team mom gave us a jump drive with pics she took of the kids throughout the year so I wanted to put them on here.  Jackson had a great year, he really enjoyed t-ball.  He didn't  have a ton of natural talent but he worked harder than anyone else on the team.  He spent hours working with daddy on his hitting, throwing, and catching.  He was by far the most improved this year. I am so proud of him and I really enjoyed watching him this year.  

Here are some pics from practice... 

 "Glove on the ground."  Jackson spent most of his time in outfield...

 Jack's right in the middle...

 Thursday was closing ceremonies and everyone got a trophy...

 Words or pictures canNOT express Jackson's excitement about getting a trophy.  I don't think I've ever seen him so excited, proud, and happy...

Josh is pouting because at the closing ceremonies they had a kid's raffle and had prizes for about 90% of the kids and Josh happened to be in the 10% that didn't get anything, pretty dumb way to do it in my opinion...

On a side note, Josh got picked for the all-star team and I was nervous to tell Jackson because I didn't want him to feel bad.  When I told him Josh would be playing and he would not be he jumped up and down and said, "now I get to sit with mommy and give her more hugs!"  I LOVE MY JACKSON!!!