Grover's Alpine Express.

We went to Busch Gardens over the weekend.

Hurricanes don't stop our family travel plans.

We last went to Busch Gardens in 2009.

Emma turned one while we were there so she doesn't remember it.

The girls were stoked.

They were both looking forward to riding the pink roller coaster also known as Grover's Alpine Express.

It was Caroline's favorite ride last time.

Emma just knew it was going to be her favorite ride too.

Caroline loved it.

Emma was scared to death. 

She rode with my dad and I stood waiting for the picture.

We stood around and laughed.

Dad had to buy them both.

A memory too good not to buy.

Busy

Busch Gardens.

Great Wolf Lodge.

The Cheese Shop.

The Wythe Candy Shop.

Trunk or Treat at church.

We have had a fun, busy weekend!!

See you all tomorrow.

Great Wolf Lodge

Even though Ryan couldn't take vacation, we had a fabulous girls trip.

No trip is complete without lots of coffee and kid hot chocolates...

After a while of driving we saw the sign...

The girls got along for the most part...

with only minor disputes.

We saw our first Williamsburg sign.

We are probably the only people that still take the ferry to Williamsburg.

We love it.

I mean, who doesn't love a ferry ride?

Big loved the ride most of all.

She stood at the very front, in the exact same spot for the entire ride.

We made it to Great Wolf Lodge.

Check-in isn't until 4pm but you can start using the waterpark at 1pm.

You need to totally take advantage of that time.

It was perfect.  We changed into our bathing suits (yes, I wore my mom suit) and didn't have to worry with our luggage just yet.  We were able to immediately begin our vacation!

Bug love the kiddie area.
I threw a life vest on her after about an hour and she went down the kiddie waterslides by herself.
Of course, I didn't get very many pictures.  We were too busy!

I got ONE picture of Big playing.

One!

She and Anna were too busy riding waterslides that we barely saw them.

Note to parents: You will definitely need one adult per child.

2 children... you will need 2 adults.

4 children... you will need 4 adults.

It is serious.  There is no way you would be able to keep up with all of your children.

We did not eat at Great Wolf Lodge.

From my research I found that the food was super expensive and not very tasty.

I don't do bad food.

We had Uno Chicago Grill for dinner.

The girls loved it.  They got to make their own pizzas right at the table.

They even got an apron to wear!

After dinner, we rushed back to the Lodge to get our PJs on and head to story time.

I loved the antler chandeliers.  They were amazing!

Wolves everywhere...

I spy a Caroline...

I spy a Bug... 

I spy a Big and Bug together...

I forgot to take pictures of our room... of course.

Caroline got a few on her new camera but I haven't uploaded those pictures yet.

We chose the KidKamp Suite.

It was super nice.  There was a queen bed, a sleeper sofa, and bunk beds in the "KidKamp" for the children.

My kids LOVE bunk beds.

I decided on the KidKamp Suite versus the Wolf Den Suite for one reason.

KidKamp has a TV in the little room for the kids.

The Wolf Den does not.

If you want a TV for the kids, get the KidKamp Suite.

Your kids will totally love it.

Big was dying to get these hair extensions.

She got two and Bug got two.

They are super cute but are such a pain when you are brushing hair and using the flat iron.

Shopping was next on our agenda.
Williamsburg Premium Outlets are the bomb dot com.
And....
No trip to Williamsburg would be complete without walking around colonial Williamsburg.

West Duke of Gloucester Street is amazing, right?

Look at these canvas awnings.

Beautiful.

You know our love for The Cheese Shop.

Hands down, The Cheese Shop is the best place for lunch in Williamsburg.

Anna had a Usinger salami & cheese of French bread with spicy mustard.

She also got a peanut butter sandwich to go that I didn't get a picture of.

Caroline also had a Usinger salami & cheese of French.

Bug had a peanut butter sandwich.

We all shared this little dip from the Heavens.

This is The Cheese Shop's House Dressing.

You can never have too much of this on your sandwich.

You buy a little bag of bread ends to go with it and you are set.

Eat your little heart out.

It is to die for.

This is Mom's grilled cheese that she didn't even want.

She told me she wanted a peanut butter (my family obviously likes peanut butter, huh) and I thought she told me a grilled cheese.

Even though it wasn't what she wanted, it did not disappoint.

They used all types of cheeses and it was on Rye.

I had the Combo Sandwich which consisted of turkey and Virginia Ham.

When in Virginia, do as the Virginians do... right?

I got the combo on french bread with extra house dressing.

It was so wonderful.

The Cheese Shop is also full of crazy drinks.

Everyone else got water, Pepsi, Dr. Pepper, etc.

I got this awesome glass bottled Organic Black Tea and Lemonade.

Very yummy!

The Wythe Candy Shop is right beside The Cheese Shop.

Look at all these yummies...

We brought home 6 of these...

You read that right... a chocolate covered twinkie!

The girls chowing down on strawberries.

We made a quick stop by the William and Mary bookstore for Anna to get a tshirt (it is a ritual).

We got in the car and headed back home.

Via the ferry of course... per the girls request.

Thanks to my wonderful Mom and Sister for a fabulous vacation.
Caroline had an awesome time celebrating her birthday.
Emma had an awesome time just being with the girls.
We are already planning our next trip!

Vacayyyyy

By the time you read this, we will be at Great Wolf Lodge.

We are beyond excited.

We are a little bummed because this was going to be a family trip but Ryan couldn't take his vacation this week.  Packages must be delivered.

So it turned into an all girls trip... me, Big, Bug, Sister and Mama.

We will miss Iron Man and my Dad but are sure to have a fabulous time.... just us girls.

Let's just pray my children act like civilized human beings and we don't get kicked out.

We are also planning lunch at The Cheese Shop which is worth the drive in itself.  House Dressing and bread ends, HERE WE COME!!

Can't wait to share it with you all!

xoxo,
Hailey

Anna conversations.

{Anna sitting in the stroller... texting.}

This conversation happened 20 minutes into our trip....

“Anna, stop texting! We are on family vacay. There can be no texting.”

“I'm over family vacay. I want a funnel cake," she demanded in her deep, monotone voice.


Right before this picture was taken, Anna announced we had to leave. When asked why, we discovered that her Blackberry had died and she was ready to go. She had lost all communication to the outside world and was in distress.

We also waited at The Cheese Shop for 32 minutes for Anna to get a sandwich. What kind of sandwich, you ask? A peanut butter sandwich. I kid you not. 32 minutes. That's how long my Dad stood in line. However, we all benefited because we all shared a bag of bread ends and house dressing. YUM-O!!! If you ever go to Williamsburg, you MUST eat here. We also stopped by the Wythe Candy Store while we waited for Dad in The Cheese Shop. We got a gingerbread man and chocolate covered strawberries that were to die for! I had to fight Emma and Caroline to get one. So, I guess the 32 minute wait was worth it.