We had a lovely time on vacation.   On the way there we stopped at a treehouse built by Minister Horace Burgess.  He built this treehouse out of scrap wood and it took him around 14 years to make.  I think that's what I remember reading.  It was really neat. 

*I* did not go all the way up.  I had planned on it but as we began our journey, I realized I wouldn't be able to do it.  The house isn't level (which shouldn't have surprised me but it did)  Between it being unlevel and the space between boards and I could see below, it was a no go for me.  I did make it up to the chapel room and it was neat.  The man is a gifted wood carver.  The children did go up with Brooks.  Mark was hugging the wall and wasn't too sure about it all. He was ready to come down when they did.

We had celebrated Sam's birthday the day before we left so we was excited to take some gifts along with him.  He was most excited about this tank he recv'd that goes on land and water.  It is very cool.

Once we got checked in and everything unloaded, we headed off to the pool and Sam took his tank with him.  The pool was nearly empty and so we all really enjoyed our evening there.  The life guard was very intrigued by the tank and said he planned to start his Christmas shopping for his grandchildren soon.  He was a very nice man.

The figures on the tank are Polly Pocket people.  They are waterproof and the children all had a great time playing rescue type stuff with all of it. 

It was wonderful having the pool mostly to ourselves.  I think most people were using the outdoor pools.

Mark found a new love of miniature golf.  He wanted to play every day and so we did.  He even got one special round of mini golf with just Daddy. 

We were rather surprised to notice that Mark switched back and forth between and right and left hand during the games.  We hadn't noticed a mixed handedness prior to this.  He always writes right handed so we'll be checking his dominance soon and keeping an eye on this.

Other gifts that Sam received for his birthday that we had tons of fun playing are Pit and Spy Alley.

If you don't have these games, you MUST get them.... especially Pit.  It is SO.MUCH.FUN!!!!  We spent countless hours playing it.  It is a LOUD game though.  Because we were in a condo we made sure to play during day hours and not too early.  Spy Alley is lots of fun too.  We give both of these games two thumbs up. 

We also spent as much time as possible out on the lake and boat.  The children all enjoyed taking turns driving the boat and swimming in the lake.

We saw this snake in the lake before they went swimming so I wasn't sure if they would want to swim or not but they did.

Brooks had to leave and get back to work so we invited our friend, The Arnold's, to come see us while there and stay with us.  They all couldn't come but my sweet friend, Val, and one of her boys, Conner, came.  We had a wonderful visit with them.  The children enjoyed the arcade as well.

Here are Mrs. Arnold and Bethany playing air hockey:

Bekah, Sam and Conner enjoyed a game of pool.

Our vacation was shorter than normal but we were thankful for every minute we did have.  I am so blessed to have such a wonderful family.