A Little Vacation Not Far From Home

Last year was a great year! A little difficult with a job change for Chris but with it came such peace. He had been working at a job that left him completely tired and just wasnt very fulfilling. He now works for a company that he feels cares about his hard work and is never tired like he used to be. With all the hard work he and fellow co-workers put in last year, the company was able to earn a new level of sales which meant a prize of a trip to Great Wolf Lodge. We are lucky to have one so close to us. Only 1 hour away! We had heard so much about the place but had never been. Boy were we excited! So when the time came to go, we packed our bags and headed out! We haven't had that much fun as a family in a long time! What a place! It is a theme hotel that has an indoor water park. To say that the kids had the time of their lives is an understatement. We stayed in one of the themed rooms which has a bunkbed room for the kids with their own TV. PERFECT! 

In the lobby the kids had fun watching the animated clock tower come to life. As well as nightly dance parties. Kids were everywhere! They even have an interactive game in all the hallways where you use a "magic wand" to finish quests and unlock treasure. SWEET!

Someone found treasure!!! 

The waterpack was huge! I cant believe they can fit something that size inside. It was just fantastic. The boys could have stayed all day there. Nico even had his own little area to play!

Caden and Nico tried to race each other down these two slides. It was so great to see them both be able to have fun together. I think Nico might have flipped around on the orange one a bit. :)

And lets not forget all the arcade games and sweet shops. Mmmmmm! 

Let just say we will be heading back here for another vacation really soon! With the lodge this close to home, the kids will be asking to go everyday!! If you live near a Great Wolf Lodge, GO! It has everything you could ask for in a hotel. Best family fun ever! It kept these 3 wild boys busy and mom and dad happy and stress free! :)

The life and times of a mother of 3.......boys that is. Don't forget to bookmark www.funwith3.blogspot.com and visit anytime for more photos, links and fun!

GARDEN? I Got this!

So I have decided to do a garden this year. Actually, I did have a vegetable garden a few years back but it wasn't anything I took a whole lot of time with. This year, I plan to go all out! I really want a successful garden. With my hubby's job change comes a change in finances and what better way to save some money then to plant a garden and grow your own food! Plus I just love to garden! It is something I will always remember my Grandpa G doing. He always took me to his community garden when I was a wee little one, and it was always the best time ever. Learning about the plants, watering them and watching them grow was just great with a guy like my Grandpa. So I would love to pass that love of growing to my boys. 

Well, to make a long post short, This garden has proved to be a bit harder when you really put work in, instead of just taking care of it when you actually think too. :) I took a class at our local library on raised gardens and really thought I had this together but it turns out when you are dealing with the weather and plants that need specific times to be planted it gets a little tricky for me. So this is how things have come along so far.....

Not to bad, since I did have to do this without the help of my husband. He planned to do it the night before but by the time we had purchased all the materials it was late and the screws we had ended up not long enough. :( So the next day while at work I did my best to jimmy rig it and it didn't work. After 4 stripped screws later, I went to Lowes with the boys and got the correct screws. But still did not have enough power to man the drill so I ended up screwing them in by HAND! And it was probably 40 degrees outside, which is very cold for NC. So my hands were numb by the end. BUT I DID IT!! 

Next will be adding the soil and the cold weather plants, broccoli, romaine lettuce and iceberg lettuce. They were already having a hard time because it took so long for me to get the bed going.

I'll post updates as the garden grows. I think it will be a lot of fun to see how this turns out. THANKS TO THE BIG C FOR ALL MY PHOTOGRAPHS. including the self portrait. :)

The life and times of a mother of 3.......boys that is. Don't forget to bookmark www.funwith3.blogspot.com and visit anytime for more photos, links and fun!