Mall of America Weekend Getaway Part 1

We decided sporadically to take a weekend trip to Mall of America this weekend.  We usually like to go there 1 or 2 times each year because 1) This momma really likes shopping and 2)Its a great way to entertain the kids!

We love to stay at the Hampton Inn where we can get a large room at an affordable price and continental breakfast!  The kids have plenty of room to play in the room and Mom and Dad have plenty of room to just relax.

 When I was on break from classes in January, we took a trip to Mall of American also.  We bought ride passes on that trip and didn't use up all the points so we had plenty of points left for the kids to go on rides on this trip!

Bryleigh went on the Wonder Pets ride and she didn't know what to think.  You could see that she wanted to cry but yet, she saw all the other children laughing so she laughed. She came off the ride and said she wanted to do it again!

We spent the majority of Friday doing fun stuff with the kiddos!  We went to Bubba Gump's for dinner and then went back to the hotel to go swimming!

 The water in the pool was so cold so our pool time was spent taking 1 jump in the pool, followed by a long sit in the hot tub, and then repeat!

We had more fun on Saturday but I will save that for another post!  I have lots of laundry to do before I go to bed!  

Happy Birthday!

Happy 1st Birthday to our funny, always happy, absolutely beautiful niece Ducati!  

My niece, Phoenix

Christian, Denali, and Bryleigh

Ducati didn't know what to think about the cake! 

Pretty girl didn't want to get her hands dirty! 

We love you baby girl!  And a big Happy Birthday to our Compassion sponsored little boy, Manuel, who turns 6 years old today!

Life is Good!

 Although I was a bit hesitant to want to go camping this weekend.  I am so happy that my in law's invited us along!  We had beautiful camping weather that was perfect for swimming during the day and perfect sweatshirt weather at night for sitting around the campfire.

We camped on the site next to my in law's but our friend's were also camping at the same campground so the kids spent a lot of time playing with Chloe, Carley, and Wyatt!

Bryleigh's swimming skills are improving so much this summer! She is trying so hard to be just like her big brother. She is fearless in the water which is good and bad. We have to make sure she is in sight at all times because she will just go jump in where ever she feels like it regardless if there is an adult there to catch her.  I tried many times to get a video of her "swimming" but she wouldn't do it for the camera.  She looks like a little frog in the water trying to swim. I will have to catch her next time when she isn't looking so that I can share!

 Our neighbor campers had two little girls around Bryleigh's age and they played all weekend. They were quite the mother hens to Bryleigh and Bryleigh loved it!

 Our tired little boy who insisited that he was never tired and could not fall asleep at night!  Well,  I don't think so hunny, I caught you sleeping :)

 Bryleigh did not get naps all weekend so I enjoyed her nightly routine of falling asleep in my arms by the campfire! I could get used to that!

We had an awesome weekend, but I am definitely happy to be home to sleep in my own bed tonight!