MN Getaway (Day 1 - Friday)

About a week ago... Ryan asked if we should try to get away for a weekend before school starts, just the 4 of us.  He wondered if it was 'too late'.  Well... not necessarily... timing worked out, we didn't have anything on the calendar, and it's enough time before school starts, that the kids think it's like a 'vacation'!!  ha. 
Friday we headed out around 9:30 or so.  Kids had slept in, so we weren't really in a hurry.  The drive was pretty good...  me and long rides are just no fun.  But I survived. ha.  

We went straight to the Mall of America.  And funniest thing ever, we parked, and got into the mall and we immediately saw the American Girl store.  It was directly in front of us.  It was meant to be.  ha.  Cora was in heaven.  She wondered around in the store for about 30 minutes... just looking around, touching everything, and wanting everything.  We picked out a few things, and decided we would buy them when we were leaving.  She was ok with that.  We then went to the Nickelodeon rides section... fun for the kids for sure.  They wanted to ride a few rides...  a Ferris wheel and the log ride with Dad.  It was successful. 

left with some purchases.  :)

We left the mall and headed to Great Wolf Lodge... which was about a 4 minute drive from the mall, which was awesome.  So convenient.  The hotel/lodge was great... so nice, and so much fun for the kids.  We had bunk beds for the kids, which they loved too.  

We got into our suits, and headed to the water park. After that, they were having free S'mores and live music outside, so we did that.  The kids did awesome, and had a good time. 

bunk beds for the win!

Bed fairly early, and the kids slept well. Don't ask me how I slept!  :)