For the past 14 years, my mom's family has spent a 3-day "vacation" at Maumee Bay State Park. It originated with my Grandpa's 70th birthday as a surprise party and has continued each year, eventually coordinating with Thanksgiving since the events were so close together. So the past few years have included a full, traditional Thanksgiving feast (on Wednesday evening) served in chaffing dishes and crockpots in one of the larger hospitality suites, followed by a big family "sleepover" and lots of relaxing and game playing. My grandma does one heck of a job preparing and serving meals in a hotel room that consists of a mini-fridge, a microwave, and a small sink. Everyone brings lots of snack foods, fruit/veggie trays and coolers. Grandma brings a waffle iron for breakfast and a giant crockpot full of chili for lunch. Then we order pizza one evening. It does help that everyone lives within easy driving distance of the resort, but for the most part, the adults arrive and stay put at the hotel. Grandkids, of course, with newly wedded in-laws have some traveling to accomodate other parties.
So, I took a half-day on Wednesday to get home, get everything loaded up while the kids napped and get out to Maumee Bay shortly after nap time.
There's a new children's play area at the resort in place of one of the old "walleyball" courts. Will had an absolute blast in the pirate/ocean scene playground.
The cousins & significant others playing Banana Grams. (P.S. I won 2 out of 3 games!!! Even up against my brother-in-law Wes who has an astounding knowledge of the English vocabulary. I think I just got lucky that night.)
Case & Wes
Taylor and girlfriend Amanda
Bryan, Brianne & Zach
MY small family does not stay overnight with everyone else. It's just easier to drive the few miles to sleep in our own beds. We knew we had a big day Thursday so I made sure to get home at a reasonable hour and get the kids to bed ASAP. Then I got everything together for the next day and reloaded the car.
Early Thursday morning, the kids and I were up, dressed and back out to Maumee Bay for waffles and more hanging out while Craig slept in. Then I loaded them back up and picked Craig up shortly before noon. We headed out to the Riedeman family Thanksgiving which was hosted by a friend of Craig's mother in his beautiful home in Toledo's Old West End. He had a lovely spread prepared in the dining room.
The foyer
Sophie timed her nap perfectly with our lunch meal. We brought the pack 'n play and just put her down in one of the upstairs bedrooms.
Will, on the other hand, missed his nap entirely. Timing is everything in the life of a toddler, but sometimes it's out of our hands and he did very well considering. Here's Will riding a new "rocking horse", which is actually a specially-designed high chair turned on it's side. Craig's parents purchased two from Amish country to keep at their house for the grandkids. It also converts to a desk on the opposite side. Beautifully crafted.
Family pic on the stairwell. Will's tired and just about maxed out with good behavior.
On the way home, Will crashed almost before we made it down the street. :)
He got about a 45 minute catnap while we drove home to grab swimsuits and drop some stuff off before heading back out to Maumee Bay for leftover chili and some pool time. Another new feature this year is a fountain-area for the kids beside the pool.
Soph playing on the hotel bed.
All in all, a very nice holiday. We paid the price of too much activity and lack of sleep for awhile... both kids have runny noses now. But we are still very thankful for our general health and for our families.
Happy Thanksgiving everyone!
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