Waterpark Trip 2013

We have spent a night in February at Key Lime Cove for the past two years.  It has always been sort of our "last hurrah" before baseball season begins for Wally.  Unfortunately this year with everything going on in my mind, I forgot to call Key Lime Cove to make reservations.  Once I did remember, there was a two night minimum and that is just way too long (and expensive) to be there.  So we looked into a few other options.  We like to be not too far from home since we just go for one night.  We settled on CoCo Key in Rockford - it is attached to the Clock Tower Hotel. 

And here is our PSA to all of you.  Do not go to this waterpark/hotel.  Wally and I were not happy with a lot of things about it.  I won't go into detail here, but just know that we do NOT recommend it.  Now, of course, our kids enjoyed it, but I know we all would have had a better experience somewhere else.

I don't have a ton of pictures as it is hard to have the camera out at a waterpark, but I have a few.

Paige was definitely more into it at first than Luke.  Every winter he seems to forget that he really does love water!



Paige was trying to get Luke to climb up with her!


He wouldn't, but Daddy took her!




Lunch time!




Cheese!




Cheese again!


After pizza in the room, which Luke thought was so cool, there was some chair spinning. Who doesn't love to spin in chairs?!?!





The next morning we went for breakfast and then hit up the hotel pool and tried the waterpark again.  The water was freezing - what kid (or adult) wants to go in freezing cold water!  So we hit up the arcade before leaving.




His "big" prize from the arcade games!


We stopped at Stacey's in Downer's Grove on our way home to celebrate her birthday (and pick up Nala).  And of course see Miss Fiona!

Paige helping Papa with his wedding workout - ha!

Love this pic of these two!!!

One Big Merry Christmas

I have so much Christmas to blog about so prepare yourself for one big long Christmas post!

After celebrating "Christmas morning" at our house, we headed to LP to be with our families for the rest of the Christmas weekend.

First up was Christmas Eve with the Zukowski's. We all went to 5 PM mass and then headed back to Grandma & Grandpa's for dinner and fun.

We took a few pictures and then...






we had a very special visitor!



This was Luke's face when he saw Santa at the door!



Luke led Santa into the house. He sat right next to him and listened to Santa read off all of the people that were on the "nice" list. He mentioned all of our names and when he was done, Luke asked, "Santa, what about the dogs?" It was about the cutest thing ever!



Luke opened his present from Santa which was Smokey the Fire Truck - exactly what he had asked for at our "Lunch with Santa". Santa is good!

Paige wasn't really having it. She was due to eat, but I made her wait because I knew Santa was coming.



Santa was followed by dinner, present opening, and the annual Bingo and dice game! Then we headed back to Grammy & Papa's for a good night's rest and some more Christmas the next day!

We woke up to this!


Luke opened his presents but then we waited for Aunt Carly to get there to open the rest. As a first year nurse, she had to work the holidays. She got off at 7 AM on Christmas Day and immediately made the drive down from Madison.

Luke played with his Transformers playdoh set while we waited.



Two happy kids!





I love this picture!


Checking out the ornaments with Michael.


We headed to Wally's Grandma Hylla's around noon for lunch. It is always crazy there - lots of cousins and lots of kids and babies. It was a nice time!

Then we headed to my grandparents house to open presents and visit. My Aunt Heidi and her boys weren't there this year so it was kind of quiet, but still fun!



Love this girlie's smile :)



We asked Luke to smile and this is what we got - silly boy!



Opening her presents!




And our final stop of the day was at Aunt Kathy's for Kohr Christmas! Luke fell asleep in the car and remained asleep on Kathy's bed for about 2 hours. It was for the best!

A lot of our time at Kathy's for family gatherings are spent around the island full of food!


We got our present opening spots!


It is always a bit crazy opening presents there, but so much fun!

Like father...


like son!


Brooklyn and Luke


This one cracks me up. "Brooklyn are you looking? I have my fake smile all ready to go!"


Just missing the babies :(


Carly & SIL :)


Ben and his besties!


Papa always has the magic touch!


Hey!




Dangerous Pair #1


Dangerous Pair #2


Playing :)


Trouble!


Sophia and Luke - best pals by the end of the night!


The girls (minus Kara and Paige)


The guys (minus Matt, Casey, and Baby Jack)


Overall it was a wonderful Christmas weekend. We are always running around everywhere, but I remind myself that it is 2 days out of the year and we are with family so it is all worth it!