Wisconsin Dells take 1

Want to know why this blog is titled take 1?  Because in another month I'm going back to Wisconsin Dells but to a different resort with different family members so a whole new trip to look forward to!

I always get surprised when I talk to people from MN who have never gone to Wisconsin Dells!  It's only a 3.5 hour drive and it's the water park capital of the world!  I've been going almost every summer the past few years and I really like it.  But hey, I'm a sucker for tourism and waterparks specifically are always fun.

This past weekend we went with the family my brother married into.  Let me just tell you what a wonderful family this is.  For as long as I can remember they have invited my mom and I to do things with their family.  We often celebrate holidays together and use to take a trip together every summer.  I'll never forget the packed minivan and car loads of our group 12-15 big going to Chicago Six Flags or Wisconsin Dells each summer.  Well it's been a couple years since we've gone on our traditional summer trip or at least since I've been able to come and this year was the first year my husband and baby got to come along for the experience!  This family really is one of the most hospitable I know and I've seen their kids grow up, some are still growing, and they are all turning into such quality people.  I'm so impressed and feel so grateful my brother found Yung for his wife and I get to be a part of their family.

Soooo....what did we do?  Jesus, Joaquin and I began our trip Friday afternoon because we did not want to join the others for a Saturday 4am departure.  Jesus and I checked in our overpriced Super 8 (because it's summer in the dells and you need to book early for any decent price or place) and then headed over to the outlets.  I got jeans for $10 and a couple other things.  We also went to this huge fun zone full of rides, video games, bounce houses, go carts and more.  Perfect for kids and all of the bounce houses and giant jumping pillow were a hit for our little one.

On Saturday our big group arrived where we ate at Mr. Pancake for sake of tradition and sake that it's delicious.  We then headed over to Mt. Olympus resort.  This was a new park for us. It has several waterparks, an indoor and outdoor theme park with roller coaster and go-karts.  It really has it all.  Yung's family caught a great two bedroom room with fun bunk beds for all the kids.  We shared a room with Richard, Yung and their baby and it was a standard hotel room but not as new so not as nice.  Probably a fifty dollar room that we paid much more for but oh well...the included admission to the parks was worth it.

Mr. Pancake

Here we are same place five years ago but I'm taking the photo.  Look at the changes!

Some of the kids exploring their cool bunk beds

The first day we hit the waterparks but Joaquin was getting over being sick...maybe he was still sick...ok so the day before he was very sick and I was so selfish hoping he'd be better on time so I could go on rides on my vacation and not have to chill with a sick kid the whole time.  Obviously I wanted him better for his own comfort as well!  We couldn't keep him in the water too long and while we found a kid area, turns out there was a better one for smaller babies that we missed.  Eventually Jesus was kind enough to take Joaquin to nap and I got to go on some watersides with the others.  Jesus and I didn't have time to do much together because at least one of us needed to be with Joaquin and he's not big enough for the big slides and he was sick which made things even harder.  It was a bit of a downer but still not bad of a day.  

Our big group entering the parks...you can see some of the greek tourist style of Mt. Olympus

The second day we went to the theme park with roller coasters and go-karts.  Jesus threw out his back the night before so couldn't do much here.  He was a fun dad and took Joaquin on all the kid rides which was a blast.  I made it onto one roller coaster with Yung but then Jesus, Joaquin and I  headed home because the lines were each an hour wait and again...hard to do with a little one.  When we went home the rest of the family stayed and went on a jet boat ride but the age limit was 4 so we skipped that too.  So you can see how things change with children eh?  However it just takes a little extra planning for what activities you can all do or some baby sitting swapping and it all works out.  The best times really were the times we found great rides and activities for Joaquin...and maybe the roller coaster I went on. ;)  There is plenty for toddlers in WI Dells, don't get me wrong, probably just better when they aren't sick.

El tren

Baby Richard

There was no shortage of spinning in circles mid air for Joaquin on the balloons

Even Baby Richard got to go on the hot air balloons

Some of the big kids and adults supporting the babies on the kiddie rides

Now to do it all again in another month with my Aunt, uncle and cousin from Chicago.  Let it be known here that the plan is to go zip-lining but will my fear of heights win out?  We shall see...

PS I feel like this post is almost negative complaining about my little guy...not my intention...you know he's my world!  And I can't believe I don't have pics of water slides...