Great Wolf Lodge

We headed to Great Wolf Lodge, a Virginia tourist hot spot, this weekend with some friends and had such a blast. We lived 45 minutes from it while in Richmond, but never made it down. I was a little nervous taking the girls, (who aren't proficient swimmers), to a park filled with water slides. They both LOVED it, though, eating every single ride/attraction up! I realized mid-way through our stay that one doesn't actually need to know how to swim to enjoy a water park, only be able to wade comfortably in knee-deep water.

We started out our weekend in Colonial Williamsburg with a stop first at The Cheese Shop. Delicious deli sandwiches, slathered in House Dressing. Mmmmm. We strolled through the main street with all the colonial shops, houses, school, church, etc. We didn't take into account the fact that it was Memorial Day and would be crawling with tourists. It was a gorgeous day, though, and the perfect way to kill a couple of hours before we could check in.

Charlotte, Gavin, Makenna, Addison, Andrew paying homage to Mother England.

 Upon entering the Lodge, the kids waited a mere 4 seconds before running head-long into the water, where they stayed until we dragged them out for dinner.

 

This is the face of SHEER JOY on a 5 year old. Nothing could slow her down, not even an unexpected wipe out on the boogie board. (video to follow)

Someone has her daddy wrapped around her little finger. And rightfully so... They don't come much cuter than this. 


We picnicked on the grass for lunch.

 

The oldest 4 before the Ripas left to drive home.  (Our family stayed 'til the bitter end, taking full advantage of all the attractions. Addison was literally crawling up the stairs on hands and knees, exhausted beyond belief, to get to the top of the water slides. That is dedication if I ever saw it.)

 
'Cause we're classy like that, sauntering through the main lobby with sopping hair and bathing suits. Makenna thought she'd be all fancy and put her sandals on.


...and I saved the best for last. Makenna and her endearing wipe out. My girl was not laughing when she got out of the water. Luckily, 2 days later, she's begging me to put this on repeat so she can watch herself get water boarded over and over.