We took a trip to Grand View Lodge the first week of August. We spent three nights and four days together. It was a memorable family vacation that we plan to make a tradition from here on out. The weather spoiled us with sunshine, and the kids LOVED every minute of it. It was really a wonderful vacation! It has quickly become one of mine and Paul's favorite places on Earth!
Here we just reached town and stopped for lunch at a nearby restaurant. Emmett was pumped that he could order a root bear in a bottle!
We stopped at Pirate's Cove and golfed a few rounds. We were impressed with how well-kept up this place was. It is the nicest mini-golf course we had ever been to.
By the end, Emmett wanted to golf with his hands. He said it was easier. :) Goof-ball!
Next we headed over to drive the go-carts at Billy Bones Raceway!
Nate got to drive the battery powered Lightening McQueen cars on his own!
After checking into our cabin we headed to the pool right away! Nate was a little scared of the water at first, but you will see from the pictures that follow that he quickly warmed up!
Emmett was in heaven! He loved every bit of it!
After dinner we went to the beach and sat around a campfire while we roasted marshmallows.
No one was in the water, but Emmett insisted that he put his swimsuit
back on and go swimming again. We thought he was crazy, being that it was
only 60 some degrees outside!
What a beautiful place!
Nate had fun searching for shells and rocks...
After sitting around for a bit, I decided to shock the kids and join Emmett. It was so much fun, but COLD!
He warmed up in the jacuzzi tub in our hotel. This kid would live in the water if we let him!
Jammies time!
DAY 2...We spent A LOT of time in the water! The weather was warm and beautiful!
Paddle boarding...
Emmett met a friend on the trampoline...
What a cutie pie!
Kayaking with Nate...
Playing on the playground...
Paul and Emmett kayaking...
Emmett and I went tubing!
I felt Nate needed to step out of his comfort zone, so I made him jump off the trampoline. He cried a little, but was so proud of himself once he did it!!!! I was just as proud!
Having a homemade snack of Mom's caramel puff corn!
Here we are relaxing by the pool. Here was the view behind me...
Here was the view in front of me...
Catching some rays...
Nate's turn in the jacuzzi!
This was outside one of the fancier restaurants we ate at. The food was AMAZING!
Of course, we had ice cream for dessert at the Chocolate Ox!
We played BINGO before calling it a night...
DAY 3...We woke early and went horse backing riding before breakfast. I love mornings, and this was the perfect way to soak up the sunshine together. We were given our own hour long private tour. The tour guide even let our horses gallop a number of times. The boys had a lot of fun!
The horse stables also had a petting zoo and baby kittens roaming around...
After brunch we went for a 45 minute pontoon cruise. It was so great to get out on the water for a while and see the beautiful cabins nearby.
This was a cabin that was for sale. The boat house alone is bigger than any home I could ever own! I think we will dream of saving the 8.5 million dollars needed to buy it! Wow!
Shortly after our pontoon cruise, we headed back on the lake again to give Emmett and Paul a chance to go tubing together. This time Emmett was begging the boat captain to give him a wild ride so they could go flying! They got what they asked for!!! It was fun to watch...
More swimming in the pool... The kids spent about 5 hours swimming in the pool at this time! I was so thrilled to see Nate become completely independent on the water slide and in the water. Paul and I could actually relax and watch them on the side of the pool!!!
I love seeing Nate grin from ear to ear after overcoming a fear of his!! Can you tell how excited and proud he felt...
We took a short break and headed over to the Chocolate Ox again. The boys wanted stuffed animal puppies instead of a choice of treat/candy. I couldn't say no to that. I bought them the puppies they had been begging for (for two days), and got them a smoothie at the coffee shop instead. :)
Emmett became pretty good at water basketball...
Ahhh! Pure bliss!!!
Dinner at the pub out on the patio...
Games in the arcade room...
DAY 4...After brunch we checked out of the cabin and headed into town. We took a ride around Nisswa on the top of this carriage...
We stopped over at Pioneer Village...
Of course we competed in the weekly town turtle races. Nate was pretty close to winning!
A&W was giving away free floats for the a couple of hours. These are one of Emmett's favorite treats!
There you have it! Our 2014 family vacation! We couldn't be happier with all the sweet memories we made! I will look back at these pictures often!
