Family Fun Weekend - Part 2: Embassy & Aquarium 2013

Day TWO of our trip dawned at an early 5:15 in our room, but it was no big deal since that is the same time that the boys always wake up.  I was a little concerned about my parents sleeping on the other side of the wall.  We are not exactly quiet in our camp!  We lounged around until the pool opened at 7 and then Tyler and the big boys headed down for one last swim, while I fed Addison and finished packing up our things.  We all went to breakfast together, which was better than Disneyland at this point for our boys...  Food as far as the eye can see at Embassy Suites.  Made to order omelets (okay, not so special since Tyler makes us omelets all the time) hashbrowns, bacon, sausage, scrambled "eggs", fruit, yogurt, cereal, and juice.  And toast, bagels, and English muffins.  They ate until they were stuffed!  Did I mention French Toast too?  

After a MUCH NEEDED Starbucks run, we packed up, took a family picture (yet to come in another post!) and headed out.  Before we knew it we were at the waterfront at the Seattle Aquarium, and standing in front of a GIANT tank.  So cool!  

Just before we left... our crew of FOUR.

 The aquarium definitely left the boys awestruck at times.  They loved it! 

This tide tank was the coolest... it mimicked the tide coming in and out, and you could see the fish and sea life fighting against it.  I would NOT want to live in that tank! 

 The touch tank was a big hit for Wayne - he was about the only one with arms long enough to really get down in there. He took his sweatshirt off right after this picture. 

 Weston of course thought the octopus was the coolest. 

 But then he found the jelly-fish!

 Oh no Wayne!!!  Get away, it's going to GET YOU!

 Goober boys.  Kallen and Wyatt are the best of buds.  I don't know which one loves the other more. 

 Weston was BIG into the sharks.  We were disappointed not to see any live six-gill sharks, but this was pretty neat, and so were the TV screens. 

 We tried to have an "all for one and one for all" approach to using the bathroom.  Madelyn and Weston usually buddy up in the Bajema's stroller on trips like this, while Taylin enjoys a change of scenery in our stroller.  She also adores baby Addison. 

 The sea otters were really neat too, especially since they were all "fighting" with each other as we watched.  Hmm... it totally reminded me of our living room floor. 

 After enjoying all the aquarium had to offer, it was time to get some FOOD in our bellies, so we hoofed it to Red Robin on the pier.  So cool!  And yes, this is a picture of our stroller, on the move.  I can push 3 kids at one time on this puppy, and give the 4th a piggy back ride.  It keeps them all safe from traffic, and I get a bonus work out.  Win-win!

While we waited for our seats, Wayne WON this football in the coin grabber machine.  Who does that?

 Chuckle, chuckle.  This makes me laugh.

 And just before heading out, we found the CAROUSEL which was the HIT of the day.  Grandpa treated all the grandkids, minus Addison (she needs to learn to sit before she can ride a carousel) to the ride of their lives.  Their faces were PRECIOUS and shocked, and joy filled, and ... see for yourself!!!

 "thank you Grandpa!  You see me?"

 True love.  Everyone is Grandpa's best friend. 

 So glad Wyatt hasn't figured out they need quarters to actually work!

We high-tailed it to the car, and loaded up to head back home.  Boo-hoo.  I don't think any of us were ready for it to end, and we agreed that next year we need to stay for 2 nights.  Yippee!  Other ideas we have are to go to the Science Center, Great Wolf, and maybe the Children's Museum.  Whatever we do we will have a blast because we are together as a family, making memories.  It is SUCH a gift, and one we want to keep giving to our kids.

Now...  we just have to wait for next year!

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!