Six Flags Fun!!!

We only have a few weeks left of summer so I'm trying to squeeze in as much fun as possible with the kids!  The girls both earned free tickets to Six Flags for reading a certain amount of minutes during the school year and I wasn't about to let those go to waste.  Since they expire soon after school starts I knew we had to jump at our chance and take advantage of a free day with nothing on our calendar.

I'm so happy with their ages right now and it is really a fun time. However, I loved when my kids were little and I often long for those days back again.  Yesterday was just what I needed though...just when I'm wishing I could turn back time we go and have an amazing day like this where we all can enjoy "big kid" activities.  We made memories, rode rides, laughed, screamed with delight, and had an absolute ball.  Days like yesterday are great for me and serve as a wonderful reminder that even though my kids are growing up, each phase with them will be just as wonderful in it's own way as the one before.

The Log Jamboree was our first ride and the kids loved getting a little splashed from the water.  Little did they know that would be nothing compared to what we would experience later in the day.

Then we found some other fun rides for my little thrill seekers!  

By this time we were getting really hot and we were close to a few of the water rides so we decided to cool off.  Now, I'm usually one to steer clear of the rides that make me soaked, but it was so hot today that it was a welcomed treat to get splashed (or soaked in our case).

We figured since we were already a little damp we should go ahead and give Thunder River a whirl.  The girls looked for what they said were "the wettest seats" so they would know the perfect spot to sit.  Well, it must have worked for them because they went right into the rapids and then straight through the waterfall.  They were totally drenched and loving it.

Hudson got to see the Batmobile!  

Then we rode the Mind Bender.  This used to be my favorite ride as a kid because it went upside down!  Most of the other large roller coasters you had to be taller, but Hudson was good for this one and he was so excited.  I couldn't believe all three of my kiddos were old enough to ride (and love!!!) a roller coaster that goes upside down.  We took a picture right after we got off with one of the "loop-di-loops" in the background to document the occasion!

We decided to ride a few more rides and this is how I feel about riding when Hudson is driving!  Haha!

Finally we were ready for Hurricane Harbor.  It's a water park inside Six Flags that is totally free with your admission to the park.  It's brand new and we loved it!

I had the time of my life. The kids thought it was so awesome that I was climbing up the nets (and steps) and sliding down with them and even though I got blasted with water from the giant buckets up above, we were all laughing and having the best time.  I felt like a kid going down the waterslides and just kept thinking that I couldn't imagine the fun they were having if I, as an adult, was having that much fun.

We grabbed Dippin' Dots on the way out and then made our way home.  

On the way home they just kept talking about how much fun they had and what a great day it was. I felt the exact same way and am so happy that I made yesterday happen. It was great for all of us!

Houseboat Trip: Part 3

Mid week we decided to head down to the famous 76 falls.  This is a popular destination on Lake Cumberland and one we knew we wanted to see.  It was about a 2 hour drive in our houseboat to get there, but we took our time, enjoyed the view and slowly found our way to the south end of the lake.  

The drive was totally worth it when this was our view!  

It was really gorgeous and the falls look pretty small in these pics, but when you swim up to them it is really amazing how big they are.  

We all took turns swimming under the falls and I just kept thinking what an amazing experience that was for the kids. Heck, it was an amazing experience for me!  It was a first for me and I'm sure the kids will be one of the few who can say they swam under a waterfall over summer break.  

It doesn't look like there is a lot of space between the waterfall and the rock wall behind it, but after swimming through we discovered that it was actually about 15 feet from the waterfall to the back wall so that gave us the grand idea to drive our boat behind the falls, but not before telling the kids they were about to get wet!  It was a crazy fun experience and something we will all remember forever! 

For several days we had this cove completely to ourselves.  It was so peaceful, the stars were gorgeous at night and the sound of the waterfall was amazing.  We also got to see our own private fireworks show over the lake!  It was the perfect way to end the evening. 

We still spent time out on the lake wake boarding and tubing and Hudson and Harper even gave it a try! A little more practice and they will be pros like Handley! 

We enjoyed this special spot for a few days and then as the weekend approached it turned into quite a party spot.  It was great people watching and just as the party was getting going it was time for our party to roll out and head home.  It was certainly a memorable vacation and one that we will be talking about for years to come.  

We were all pretty sad to have to say goodbye to our friends.  The girls had an especially hard time and were so sad.  They kept hugging and taking selfies together and asking me when we would see them again soon. Hoping it will be sooner than later!  We all had a wonderful week and can't wait for our next adventure together! 

Houseboat Trip: Part 2

 When I saw this sign at one of the marinas I nodded my head in agreement.  

The next few days we fell into what would be our daily schedule for the week.  Wake up and see the amazing views of the lake.

Eat breakfast, put on swimsuits, and either swim, enjoy the sunshine or float in the water.  While the adults relaxed the kids jumped off the top of the house boat.  Over and over and over.  

Next up would involve a little wake-boarding or tubing and everyone would take turns. 

My little two are still learning to wake-board so they like to ride with the Mr. 

This girl is an old pro by now though and loves to ride every chance she gets! 

By this time everyone is usually hungry so it's back to the houseboat for lunch.  As you can see, most of the week it felt like we were the only ones there. 

We'd spend the rest of the afternoon doing pretty much more of the same.  Lost of swimming, fishing, jumping, paddle boarding and relaxing.  

We also did some turtle spotting.  The kids were convinced we saw this same turtle everywhere we went.  

That was until we went to the marina one day to get more ice and saw this: 

The most turtles in one place that I have ever seen in my life!  They were eating whatever people would throw down for them including crackers or the "fish food" that you could buy for $0.25. 

We  usually stayed in one place for two nights, but if we did decide to move locations on the lake this is how we traveled.  

We had planned to go out to eat a lot more than we did, but with a grill on the houseboat we just ended up cooking most nights which was nice after a long day on the water.  Everyone was just fine with that because it meant we could just be casual and the girls loved it because they wanted to wear their Simply Southern shirts every chance they got.

We did decide to get all dolled up and go to dinner one night.  It was fun to change things up a bit! 

We ate at the Jamestown Marina and the food was really delicious.  

The views of the sunset on the way back to the houseboat were breathtaking!