Schlitterbahn

Here is another catch-up blog. We made our annual trip to Schlitterbahn a few weeks ago. This year we traveled with 8- yes 8- in our car! I tried to get pictures of how packed the car was, but they just don't do it justice. Most of our bags were under Preston and Elic's feet. You forget how much stuff you need when traveling with a baby- stroller, pack-n-play, bottles, formula (although we had our last formula bottle last week!), and baby food. We had all this in the car plus my cousins and niece and they're luggage, too. Let's just say I think they were extra glad when we finally arrived. Darren's best friend, Steve, and his daughter Natalie made the drive from Midland to come join in the craziness, I mean fun.
We stopped in Round Rock for dinner at good ol' Chili's.

You might be asking, "Where is Elic?"

Here he is, sporting his "I'm two" pout.
We stayed inside the "original" park and had a condo that consisted of two bedrooms, one bath (and yes 10 people in all shared that one bathroom) a living room and a kitchen. The first thing all the kids did was make sure the beds were in good working condition and they tested this out by jumping on them. Don't the colors and decorations just scream "I'm from the 70s"?
We spent our first full day at the original park. Sarah, Stacy, and Samantha were a big help with all the kids.

This might be Holden's favorite activity of all- chilling in the tube. If you haven't been to Schlitterbahn, they have special tubes for kids that have bottoms on them so they can actually sit down inside them and float all around. Holden's not walking, so he got tired of sittin' and splashin' real quick. This tube helped him enjoy more of the park rides. I wasn't able to get many pictures of the big rides, but I will say that Elic has no fear. And while his daddy might think this is cool, it scares his mommy. Elic was too little to try any rides last year, but this time he did rides that Preston wouldn't do and Preston has been here three years in a row. Darren said there was one ride where all three of them could race each other side-by-side and they were all ready to go when Preston jumped up and said he didn't want to do it. While Darren was talking to Preston, Elic just flew down the slide all by himself! He went on all the big tube rides like the Dragon Blaster and the Master Blaster. These rides use the new technology that sends you up the slides and then you wind your way back down. He loved everything and never seemed scared. Boy, I'm nervous about my teenage years with that one! I was able to get a few pics around the kiddy area:





It's become a tradition with us to eat one night in Gruene at the Gristmill- my favorite part of the whole trip! My dad and Carolyn joined us since the drive from San Antonio isn't too far.


The second day we visited the new park, which is split into two areas. This park has a great kids area and everyone's favorite, the lazy river. Holden would have stayed in the tube floating all day if we had let him. He even fell asleep in the tube because it was so relaxing.


We really had a great time being in the sun, eating good food, and making memories. I'm so glad that the girls joined us. Sarah is going to A&M (whoop!) in the fall and this is Samantha's senior year in high school (makes me cry) so we know they will be quite busy this year. The boys were in heaven to have the girls all to themselves for a full weekend!
Elic thought he was big man on campus getting to hang out with the older girls. Once again, another reason I think I'll have my hands full with him in his teenage years.
If anyone wants to join us the next time we go, let us know. Our motto has become "the more the merrier" - plus we need extra hands to help with our three-boy circus :)