A short vacation

We didn't have much of a summer vacation this summer so we decided to take a overnight trip to the mall of america.  We got up early on Saturday and after a quick run for me and dropping Kirby off at the "hotel" we headed out.  We stopped in Medford at the outlet mall and lunch.  We knew the McDonald's has a playground and the kiddos needed to run.

After a little shopping (my new favorite store had an outlet there) we headed on to the mall.  We got there in time to check-in at the hotel before heading to the mall.  Zoe made her and Henry's bed before we left.  She wanted to make sure it was ready for when we got back.

Then the mall and amusement park.  We sprang for all day passes.  I like the mall amusement park because the kids are still the right size that we get to Chaperone them on a majority of the rides for free.

There was a lot of waiting in line but the kids did really well.

And of course Lego Land...

We all went on the Ferris Wheel together.

Waiting on the kids...

We took a dinner break at Bubbu Gumps 

(yes that means we had been at the park for 4 1/2 hours already)

Then Wayne talked us all into the log ride.  I am not a fan but if I yell (see picture below) its not too bad.  I only show this picture for Zoe's face.  Ignore mine.  The boys faces are pretty good too.

Then we squeezed in one more ride.  We really did get our monies worth on those passes.

By the time we got back to the hotel it was already way past bedtime.

Yet Zoe was still up at 6 this morning.  We made her try to sleep until 7.  After breakfast we hit the pool.  Wayne and I thought it was freezing but the kids didn't.  A guy in the elevator made a good point.  If you are under 4'-0" the water is never too cold to swim.  

We headed back to the Mall with a stop to IKEA first.  I have wanted to go to IKEA for awhile.  However Wayne and I decided that its not for us.  We both felt claustrophobic and lost.  But at least we can say we have been there.

We did some more shopping at the mall had lunch then headed home.

Can you tell it was a fun but exhausting trip?