Toddler Vacay: Massanutten

Last year we went on a mini-vacation just the four of us, and it was amazing.  We made a pact right then and there to always make sure we spend vacation time with just our little family.  We had so much fun last year that we planned the same trip again this year, just this time for the full week.... and it didn't disappoint!  It was pretty low-key, we didn't have much planned except do fun little toddler things.  We went to playgrounds, went for walks, and spent lots of time getting pruny-fingers at the pools, water park, and massive bath tub.  We borrowed toys from Grandma Georgia's house, so they really loved having new things to play with and weren't bored.  We did lots of cooking in, experienced a pretty legit buffet, and visited a fun pumpkin patch.  Daniel and I got to spend lots of time together during nap time and bed time, and it was all so wonderful.

yay! we have a playground right next to our digs :)

pretending to nap and tuck each other in

what is appealing to them? wrestle on a random chair

more toddler wrastlin'

And here we are in our happy place, the BIIIIG bath tub!

these two, right here, and their happy faces are the best thing

Ella loved strolling her baby all around... guess what she is going to get for Christmas??? :)

After nap time, we headed to the pool!

goggles on toddlers

Sydney's adorable hair style, and the most perfect pony tail curls

watching Daddy jump off the diving board

They got cold (as usual), and we dried off, got dressed, and headed on a walk for a playground + picnic.

E&S climbing up the big rock wall and a gorgeous backdrop

the #doublesinks are on a double slide

love these happy little faces

and you can see how that ended...

a Lunchables picnic

after breakfast on our balcony - some light Mickey Mouse reading and taking care of Baby Sister

"Hmm, I think this seat looks comfy" -Syd

After a good nap, we headed to the same pumpkin patch we discovered last year with lots of cool activities for kids.  The girls had a blast.  They loved the big slides, riding on the tractor, and picking out their own pumpkins. 

just two hamsters on a wheel trying to keep up... ha!

taking a little break

Momma's getting ready to slide!

picking our own pumpkins right off the vine

"I yike dis one" -S

Ella took about 8 years to find the right pumpkin, but I love that she found one that wasn't like all the others

tractor ride

me and my girls

<3

They looooved the big underground slide

I mean...

After we had the most fun afternoon at the pumpkin patch, we took the recommendation of about 4 different people and went to a buffet... not only was it surprisingly very good, but the girls enjoyed themselves SO much!  How random is that?  But seriously, it was so cute and fun.. they decided they loved salad (???!) and all the dessert choices :)

We were stinky and dirty and tired, but first... the biiiig bath tub.

 

helping Daddy make pancakes

dreary morning coffee on the balcony with my main squeeze while the girls played

I came prepared for the big bath tub, and found awesome soap finger paint.  They had a great time painting the side of the tub, and added bonus - really enjoyed cleaning it up!

parenting at its finest... making them clean up their own messes, and liking it!

so many bubbles, so many giggles

We got dried off, put on comfy clothes, and made pizza for lunch

After nap, we headed to the pool again!

Momma & Ella

Sydney & Daddy

What else makes vacation special?  Movie night complete with popcorn and the pull out sofa

Our next fun adventure on our toddler vacation - going on a walk to find allllll the leaves

making a yummy little apple pie dessert

bath tub markers

more painting, more cleaning

pulled out the big guns for more toddler fun - a cool tent, and yes, there they are on top of each other in the tunnel

We put on some pretty dresses and ventured out for dinner

EGS + SAS

we found the MOST DELICIOUS burger place - the girls were happy that I forgot their sippy cups and they got to use big cups with straws

Ella stealing cups...

...forget stealing, Sydney is giving Ella some sips

two toddlers, two baby dolls, two strollers

and off they went!  they had so much fun with their "new" toys we borrowed

snuggling with my girl E

And finally... the adventure we were all waiting for, the water park!  We prepared with wet suits, so they wouldn't get quite so cold so quick (but they still did eventually).  At first, they were pretty timid and unsure, but they quickly got over it.  Surprisingly, Ella was a CHAMP and loved the really big slides.  I love that she surprises us with some more willingness and enthusiasm to be a dare-devil :)

Ella was giggling while she pushed Sydney on the swing

And Sydney loved it, too

so much happy in the warm "hot tub"

little fish splashing

happy girl going down the big slide (and they went about 600 times)

I didn't get many pictures of the big slides because... two toddlers, but we made it back over to the little people section and finished off our adventure listening to our girls squeal

We grabbed more burgers for dinner (because they were THAT good), and rinsed off the chlorine in the big tub with a glow stick party.

And finally, it was time to pack up all of our things and head back home.  We had SUCH a fantastic time.  As much as we love our extended family, sometimes we just need to get back to our roots and spend time together as a family (and as a couple during nap/bed time!)

Riddle: Why is Ella's covered in towels, a bib, and a new outfit with an empty cup in her lap??
Answer: She can't keep her breakfast down while on winding mountain roads
:( :(
Touché kid, back to reality... vacation is over.