Lake Weekend

The last weekend in May / first day of June we spent at the Lake of the Ozarks with the Busch Family.  We wanted to do a mini-getaway.  It is a big deal for Jeff to take off days in the summer months and with three kids, I didn't want to brave traveling too far.  We had enough gear for a week just going to the Lake.  The best part about it was we rented a three bedroom house with the Busch's who we don't get to see often enough. We also got to meet their new (now 3-month old) daughter, Lena, for the first time!    

We arrived at the house Friday afternoon.  We planned for the car ride to be nap time and it worked out perfectly!  It was a risk, but it paid off. :) After a bit of unpacking it was off to play some putt-putt. 

Dad was a big help.  Nathan was pretty good for the first few holes.  See the fountain behind this hole.  Well, several holes after this, Nathan thought it would be fun to throw his ball in there.  Oh, joy! 

I am not sure who was more excited to be playing golf together, Nathan or Daddy. 

Grant just chilled in the shade watching all of the commotion.  

Nathan gave up using the putter and on hold 9 or 10 decided to just roll it to the hole.  Whatever works!  

Our next stop was the grocery store to get a few essentials for the weekend.  

This is our life!  Two carts to get through a 20 minute weekend grocery trip.  

This was our scene when we got back to the house.  Crawling races! 

Grant is often in awe of his brothers whirling around him.  Poor guy wants to keep up so bad.  Soon enough...

We then went out to dinner at a Mexican place that was recommended.  We were a bit weary when they told us they were famous for their hot wings!?!  At a Mexican restaurant?  It was okay.  We didn't try the hot wings as it just seemed wrong.   

Dan, 3-year old Clay and 3-month old Lena arrived shortly after we returned from dinner.   Kate arrived a bit later.  She was finishing up a law conference that was also at the Lake.  

We put on a movie and made popcorn for these three munchkins to eat.  

These two were best buds all weekend long.  They were both sweet to Nathan, including him too. 

Kate volunteered to read bedtime stories.  At one point she said to me "I thought bedtime stories were supposed to be calm."  Sorry, Kate.  :)  The kids were very excited to be together and to get to stay in their room together.  

Tyler and Nathan shared a bed.  I wasn't sure how it was going to go but they did great!   

Aren't they sweet? 

The next morning we were up and off to Timber Falls - an indoor water park!  It was nice to not have to worry about sunscreen and the babies getting too hot or burnt.  

I didn't get a ton of photos as I usually had at least one kid in my hands but we had an awesome time.  Tyler enjoyed the lazy river.  

This was part of the set up.  Tyler LOVED these slides!  Nathan wasn't as crazy about them initially, but warmed up to them.  

Jeff tried hard to get them all to look at the camera/phone and smile.  

They had so much fun playing together.   

The big blue slides in the background were pretty fun.  Tyler went down them twice.  Once by himself which was pretty scary for him.  It was a long dark tube that doesn't give you any indication when you are coming out and going to hit the water.  The second time he went down in a double tube with Jeff and they got turned around.  Tyler then said the blue slides were too scary for him.  I give him huge props for climbing the three stories of stairs and getting in the blue tube slide in the first place. 

This pool was Nathan and Grant's favorite hang out spot.  They had basketball hoops and basketball style beach balls to play with too.  

Sunday morning we did some shopping at the Osage Beach Outlet mall and then headed to Miner Mike's Indoor Family Fun Center.  Jeff and I completely underestimated this place by thinking after an hour or two the boys would be ready to go.  WRONG!  It was like a Chuck e Cheese, rides and playground combined.    

First up was the train / roller coaster ride that went pretty darn fast.  

Next up was the wagon ferris wheel.  Thanks to Dan for squeezing in with the kiddos on this one. :) 

Then it was onto the bumper cars. Nathan rode with Tyler and was happy to do so.  

Tyler, Nathan and Clay were the only kids riding any of the rides so we felt like we had the place to ourselves.  The two cars just drove around in circles for a bit...

Don't ask why or where Tyler learned to wear his hat backwards.  Jeff NEVER wears his hat backwards.  It is funny what kids pick up on. 

Then they would bump and the boys would all look over at us as if they were going to get in trouble.  When we cheered the were a bit confused but also encouraged that they could do it again, and again...and again. 

Nathan loves anything with a steering wheel.  

This train was out of order but he didn't care.  

Grant even got to ride a few with Nathan.  This was my attempt to hang on to Grant and take a photo at the same time.

Dan was "watching" Lena...and playing games.  Dads need to have fun too! 

After rides and games it was off to the super-duper playground. They call it the maze.  It has half a dozen or more slides, 2-3 ball pits, tunnels galore and ball shooters. 

This is Tyler shooting the Nerf type balls across the maze.  These were pretty cool. 

Tyler and Nathan were "swimming" through the ball pit. 

We enjoyed our final lunch with the Busch Family.  

I cannot believe I didn't get a group photo or even ONE picture of adorable Lena Kay. :(  #photographerfail 

Then it was time to pack up and head for home.  

This was our crew ready sad to see our fun long weekend end but so glad we had an amazing time with dear friends.   

Nathan was out before we hit the highway.  Plan worked again! :) 

As we approached Jeff City we decided to make a stop at Central Dairy for some ice cream.  Jeff kept everyone in the car while I made the purchase.  This was the smallest option.  Needless to say, Nathan didn't finish his. 

Tyler's ice cream kept him busy in the back seat for a good portion of the remainder of the drive.  He finished the whole thing.  And by whole thing, it is the "one" scoop that I would call 3-4 scoops. 

I sat in the middle seat with Grant and Nathan and the napkins.  Jeff enjoyed his tunes in the front seat while I was watching Bubble Guppies in the back seat. 

This little guy is such a good sport and travels well where ever we take him.  I hope his laid back demeanor continues to attend all his brothers' activities.   

Needless to say we had an awesome mini-vacation.