Family Fun Weekend - Part 1: Embassy & Aquarium 2013

After a 2 year hiatus, and adding THREE kids to our ranks, the Annual Scheenstra Family Fun Weekend is BAaaaAACK!

We were pumped when everything came together and we book hotel rooms and bought tickets for 8 adults and 8 kids in 4 room to spend one night in Seattle and then head to the Seattle Aquarium.  It was a fantastic time, as evidenced by the only thing that we all would change is to STAY ONE MORE NIGHT!  So for 2014.... it's a TWO NIGHTER!

To document...  I took a picture of our trunk.  We had one large suit case, a small duffle bag, a stroller and a pack and play.  Not too bad for a family of six!

 First stop... we hit the Outlet mall in Marysville.  While we were not at all impressed with their recent store changes and prices, we did have fun meandering through the stores.  Grandpa kept all the kdis entertained by dumping quarters into ride-on machines at all 4 stations set up.  He even carried Wyatt around on his shoulders!  Impressive that it was... he also decided to sit down with Wyatt still up there, and thought better of standing back up before I scooped him down.  Silly Grandpa!  Wyatt laid his cheek on Grandpa's head as they strolled about. 

 Tyler took Wayne and Weston to the hat store, and the only thing Wayne asked for and had his heart set on was this Sonics hat.  We are hoping that we will soon have a basketball team back in Seattle!!!  And Weston?  He wanted this awesome mohawk-Transformers hat.  Cool dude!

As soon as we got to the hotel, we ditched our bags and headed to the pool.  3 years ago I remember having to change each of the boys, buckle them in... and it took awhile and was exhausting.  This year?  I threw 3 swim trunks in the bathroom and told them to change!  When they came out ready to go, I asked where there clothes were.  They each went back, grabbed their own clothes, and placed them on a neat and tidy pile.  Then they each buckled into their life jackets and we walked out the door.  What!?!?  

The pool has to be our favorite.  There is something about them being contained in the water, and just having fun.  Everyone but Addison was in the water, and she took a good little nap in the corner. 

 After swimming, it was time for Pu Pu's (appetizers in Hawaiian) in the atrium.  With veggies, ranch, chips and salsa, and snack mix...  along with drinks, these kiddos (and their parents) were happy, happy, happy!  It was a great way to relax and unwind.  When the kids had had enough, Grandma took them all aside to teach them a new game, Spot it.  The concept is simple, but it's tricky!!!  It was perfect for the kids and adults alike. 

 We finally headed to our room, and ordered pizza delivered in.  We hung out and played, and the kids had a good time with these animal masks I brought along.  16 people in that tight of a space (one hotel room) actually wasn't so bad.  The funny part was that once the kids showed signs of a meltdown - you cannot believe how fast everyone bolted from the room!!!  Hysterical! 

After the kids were in bed and asleep, the adults visited for a bit longer, and of course held the second annual "Sprint around the Hotel" challenge.  We start at our room, and two people run in opposite directions around the hotel hallway.  You HOPE no one steps out of their room, and we don't do it more than a few times so as not to cause a problem for other guests.  Tyson and Ryan matched up at first, but surprisingly, Ryan didn't actually finish that race.  Since Ryan has a few years on Tyson, we'll just leave that where it is.  Tyson and Tyler raced too, but I don't remember the results.  Maybe Tyson will comment and let us know!  And the last match up?  Grandma and WAYNE!  Wayne was SO EXCITED to race her, and put his all into it.  She edged him out in the home stretch.  Wayne was panting for breath in his pajamas and vowed to beat her next year.  I bet he will!