My dad found some cabins where we could all stay together, right on the lake, reasonably priced for our group of 17, and for 3 days and 3 nights. We were all looking forward to being together and having a great family weekend. Elena couldn't quit talking about "BA-cation!" Her big eyes became even bigger and her pretty smile even wider every time she mentioned it!!!
So BA-CATION it is!!!
Preparing for ba-cation . . .
We spent a couple days packing, Thursday while Gus was working and Friday morning before actually leaving - so Augie had a lot of play time while we stocked boxes and our car! Of course, this provided several photo opportunities for Momba (that's what "Daddy-o" and "Bubby" call me)!!!
Momba's Boy is very happy to play on his mats (as long as someone is with him)!
These pictures were just too cute not to catch!!!
Friday morning, we made sure to pack several of Augie's new diapers! I know it is silly, but it is so much fun to buy some FUN things for your kiddo that he really doesn't need. This includes the new "Huggies Blue Jean Diapers!" We had to get at least one pack and show them off to the family.
Augie's getting really good at knowing when Momba needs a smile - it's like he poses for me when I get out my camera . . . I just can't get a bad picture of this kiddo!!!
Well . . . sometimes the camera does catch some of his "not so friendly" moments. We're working on learning not to eat our pets! Ellie has been a great sport during these teaching moments . . . not even nipping at Augie when he eats her feet or pulls her ears. I think she likes the extra attention!!!
Aribidibidi, we have arrived (that's what the brownies say on "Willow")
BAAAA-CATION!!!
Day 1 - Friday:
I am going to start this part with an explanation of the quote, "It isn't the Ritz!"
You see, I don't think that my mom had seen the pictures on the internet. When my dad said we'd be staying in cabins, she was thinking of really nice cabins like on the "Parent Trap" movie - with nice, screened porches, clean, etc.
The cabins were supposed to have a full kitchen (they did) with all of the supplies that we should need as far as hotel type accomodations (kind of). You know, towels, toilet paper, and all the kitchen stuff. Well, they knew there were going to be 17 of us - but didn't exactly stock for 17 people. Also, my mom (and most of us Lopez kids) are very neat/clean people as far as house keeping habits. Let's just say that the cabins weren't even close to meeting our standards on that level. And of course, there were a few other "quirks" to the "cabins."
Keeping all of this in mind, my mom verbalized that they weren't what she expected. Upon using the restroom on our side of the cabin (it was neat that it was a "suite" so we could all travel between easily without having to go outside or down hallways, etc.), she had trouble closing the door. I told her that it was tricky. You had to lift up at the same time that you pulled it closed. Mom just started to laugh hysterically! All she could say was that ,"It isn't the Ritz!" From that point on, it was the saying of the weekend.
Beyond that - there was A LOT OF POSITIVES AND FUN!!!
On the first day, there was minimal time spent in the water for the StaatsPac - as Augie was much happier out of it - for the first day.
There were mud pies being made by Augie's 2 beautiful cousins! These 2 sisters are getting good at sharing - hope they're ready to share with another one!!!
Then we ate, hung out some outside, and showered. We were definitely in need of a shower! The weather was a bit humid - nice - but humid.
Augie wore his robe while he hung out before bed.
Then, it was time to rest for Saturday - a full day with the family and lots of fun planned!!!
Day 2 - Saturday:
We started the day early, cooked breakfast, and the kiddos all played together. It is quite a difficult task to get all of these 3 to look at the camera and smile - this was the closest we got - and it is REALLY cute!
Then Augie and Alexa moved to playing outside. If you look, you can tell that Augie has now passed Alexa in size. He is 20 pounds (vs. her 17.7 pounds) and much more stalky than her. They did play together perfectly though. Alexa would hand Augie his toys and say his name when she did - it was precious.
Alexa sported what her mom calls "caterpillar antennas."
Augie sported his new look as well - sticking his tongue out. Sometimes we even get bubbles!!!
We made our way down to the dock and watched everyone else swim & debated on attempting getting in again ourselves.
Daddy took a nap with Scrappy.
And after the nap, we were successful - time was spent in the water!!! We used our new jetski floaty - but the cover had a hole in it, so Alexa let us use the cover off of her turtle. Thanks Lex!
Anna gave Augie a FeauxHawk (not sure the spelling for that word) and Daddy-O took pictures!!!
Then we tried to get a picture of Daddy-O with Augie, but all we got was the over the shoulder glance - still super cute!
Photo opp with Tia Natalie!
Photo opp with Tia Natalie's shades!
I had the pleasure of painting Elena's nails for her while Augie was spending time with others. Gamma bought the girls a really fun package of icecream cone nail polishes. So we used all five colors. A different color for each finger/toe nail. And don't forget the sparklies that Tia Natalie added the next day! Elena LOVES sparklies!!!
Augie hammed it up some more for us while we prepped dinner!
After dinner Gus tried to catch some fish.
And taught Elena how to hold the fishing pole. Man - is he ever in trouble when we have our own little girl!!!
Moving on - Gamma helped to prepare s'mores for everyone. She even had a little "helper." Well, I think she ate more than she helped, but Alexa couldn't resist those marshmallows!
Augie participated in the festivities as well. At first, he couldn't figure out what to think of the white fluffy thing at the end of the long metal stick.
No worries though! I made sure to (safely) show him how to put the mallow in the fire. He was mesmerized!
"Ooooooooooh - so that's how this works!!!"
And it was way past time to get Daddy-O out from behind the camera. Family Pic!!!
And what goes better with s'mores than DANCING WITH POP!!!
He even saved a good night dance for Augie!
Day 3 - Sunday:
We decided to go to church on Sunday morning (vs. Saturday night) so that when we returned, we wouldn't have to stop the kiddos' playing to shower, dress, etc. I'm really glad that we made that decision, because once these kids start playing, there is NO stopping them!!!
Elena and Sassy were almost inseperable.
Augie couldn't decide which toy to put in his mouth. So we started with the Nemo fish toy. Dad bought this for Alexa. You pull the worm in its mouth and then the tail moves and the fish can swim in the water! Pop also bought a swimming turtle for Augie. But the big turtle has a little turtle on its butt to pull, and that's what makes the turtle arms turn. They're really neat toys - and they really work!
Then there was Elena's tea pot - this toy actually lasted about an hour!
Then there was another fish - not sure where this one came from though.
Then, there was the treat - real food to put in his mouth. Graham crackers!!! Momba's and Bubby's favorite snack!!! Of course, we shared with Alexa as well.
And then - and then - and then - we were ready to get back into the water! Daddy helped to prepare Augie for this trip to the water. And he was merciless with the sunscreen!!!
You can see the smears of EXTRA WHITE on top of Augie's own white (skin).
But we couldn't get into the water without grabbing some pictures of the "hair-do of the hour!"
We called this one "Big Spike!"
Big Spike with Momba.
Big Spike with Momba & Daddy-O. I LOVE THIS PICTURE!!!
After swimming and dinner, Augie was exhausted. He went to bed a little bit early, and everyone returned to the dock to try their luck at fishing once again. This time, Gus had bought worms and had a lot more confidence in being able to catch something. I grabbed a picture with Nico on the way down to get a photo of Gus - he was catching lots of fish!
He wanted to catch 15 fish!
I think this one was #12 - I will say that Gus didn't have any expectations as far as the size of fish he was wanting to catch - just catching and releasing for the pure enjoyment of fishing.
Despite being a little sleepy - and having great bed head - Alexa joined in also.
Even Scrappy came down to enjoy the success everyone was having!
Final Day - Monday:
Time to pack up and leave . . . :(
It was a beautiful morning with the sun bouncing off the lake as we packed up to go . . .
And back at home, still happy . . . but shot a few extra fun people that we got used to sharing our days with. :(
It may not have been the Ritz, but it was a great weekend and a great Ba-Cation!
We love you all family - the weekend was wonderful!!!
No comments:
Post a Comment