Vacation - Did it have to end already?

We went to Hot Springs, Arkansas for a week on vacation with JR's brothers and parents. We enjoyed ourselves and had plenty to keep us busy most days. We took it easy some of the time we were there. When we were not out doing vacation type stuff, we stayed cool indoors. Here is NR cheesing it up for the camera while playing.

JR's brother brought his Wii, so we played Wii Olympics to gear up for Bejing 2008. This was the 400m relay, and we were perfecting the hand-off. :)

On Monday, we went to this cool putt-putt golf course called Pirate's Cove. The course was really nice and some holes were pretty difficult. NR, of course, loved this boat being nearby that he could see.We had to split into two groups to golf since there were 7 adults and 2 little guys. This is the second group working on the 6th hole. It was bloody hot out already, and it was only around 10:30 or so in the morning.

After Pirate's Cove that morning, we went back to the condo and napped, then we got greased up and geared up for an afternoon on the lake. This is NR after we got back on safe ground. He liked the boat when it was going slow or stopped. He was not a fan of the faster speeds while pulling the tube behind. He did enjoy watching us fly off the tube though!

Tuesday was an all day event at the local amusement/water park. We started the day in the ride portion called Magic Springs and then relaxed in the water park, Crystal Falls, for the remainder of the day. It was so hot that the water was a nice way to end the day. During the water park portion, NR must have gone done one of the slides in the kid's pool area at least 40 times without getting bored with it.

JR and NR riding the spinning police car.

Grandma, me, NR, Lisa (James' girlfriend), James, and Ethan (girlfriend's son) on the carousel.

Since we were pretty drained on Tuesday night, Grandma helped with bed time by reading a book to NR. He loved having Grandma nearby to play with and give hugs and kisses. On Wednesday, we visited a local alligator farm and petting zoo. NR fed the goats and saw tiny alligators and full grown gators. I don't have any good pictures of that day, but when I get them from others on the trip, I will post a couple. NR was a little nervous being in a pen with a bunch of baby and mama goats, but he adjusted quickly when they started nibbling on his shorts pocket. He thought it was hilarious.

For Thursday's activity, we went to the Mid-America Science Museum with the kiddos. They had a blast playing with all the discovery type stuff....I think the adults enjoyed it as much as the kids did.

Learning how burps are made......lovely to teach your son right.

Learning about snot....as you can see the boys were the only ones in the picture. Enough said?
The Telsa Coil demonstration.
NR and Ethan (JR's brother's girlfriend's 3 yr old) in the gravity pit. Family shot after the museum.

In some more of our down time, everyone enjoyed being a kid again by playing in the sand.

NR also enjoyed the see saw right outside our patio door when he was not playing in the sand, feeding the ducks and geese, or watching boats come in to dock for the evening. It was a good location for having little ones to keep busy during the afternoon and evening hours. We enjoyed the time with family and away from work. Too bad it is over and back to work on Monday. :(