Xin chao!

We just have to say CONGRATULATIONS to my dear friends Jeff and Dana! They have been spending the past week meeting their precious daughter, Maia Faith. It has been a long hard road all the way to Vietnam, but I bet that they both would agree she was truly worth the agonizing wait. What a treasure!
Today they attended the official Giving and Receiving ceremony, so she is theirs forever! Pray for their safety until they are safe again on American soil. They will have been in Vietnam for a total of three weeks...oy!

A nice day in February

Great Wolf Lodge, Williamsburg

Over the Winter break our family took a little adventure to Williamsburg, VA. We were on a mission to scope out this indoor waterpark that my kids had been hearing about from the neighbors. The kiddos had a five day weekend from school, daddy took a few days vacation (boy, did he need it!), we packed up the vehicle and we were off to Virginia. This is the second year in a row we have suprised all of the children with a mini vacation. They had no idea where we were headed until they got in the car. It makes it all the more fun. The idea of wearing a bathing suit in January, however, was not a happy thought for me, though. :-)

The Great Wolf Lodge

Meeting the Bear Cub!

Dad and his royal subjects learning the rules to the Magic Quest treasure hunt. They were each issued a wand and a treasure map to complete throughout the lodge.

Each room is fashioned after a lodge with sort of a "Northern Exposure" motif. Our room included a bunk bed in this wolf den cave complete with a flat screen for the kiddos. I can't believe all six of us fit comfortably in such a small space...it was a wonderful "together" feeling and I should get fairly used to it, I suppose.

From the lobby

Cozy Resting Spot

Water Fun (In January, no doubt!)

Stephen loved the water. I am not sure if he has ever been swimming, because he had no fear and no concept of drowning for the first few moments. His ability to swim (or not) developed so much over the week, that you could almost witness the learning process second by second. Each of the kids took turns giving their brother a ride in the wave pool or on the "big boy" slides.

I am not sure, but I think this photo captured turn number 999 on this slide in the kiddie area. His first few times we were there to catch him, and once he figured out how to stay upright at the bottom..he was hooked on sliding alone and saying "yay!" each time.

Landon taking her turn on the surfing machine..I always love the way she will try anything that resembles adventure (wonder where she gets this? Hmmm..) The strength of the current was fascinating and would literally throw an adult male backwards up the slope. I could have watched the kids on this one the whole time.

One, two, three, four...yes, they are all present and looking cuter and wetter than ever!

Tons of Crafts

The girls had a blast with all of the crafts that were available in the Cub Club room. We spent an entire morning in there one day. They made lotion, colored t-shirts and backpacks and even tye-dyed a pillow case (which turned out nice). The staff was very helpful and super kid friendly.

Taking time out to rest a moment before the evening fun!
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We spent one day in Jamestown, VA visiting the museum and the ships that landed there (we had to squeeze some type of education about our country in there, ya know?) Here, the kids are posing in front of all the state flags..hard to believe how far we have come since 1607.

Needless to say, the snow on the ground and the thirty something degree weather made for one miserable three year old. By mid afternoon, he was "hanging on" to daddy and ready for a nap.

We learned so much that day. They fought all the way there to go back and swim, but once we got into the tour they were in the front of the line with their attention glued to the guide and speakers. We even had a pop quiz in the car on the way home (once we defrosted!). It was a wonderful memory for our family.