Family Weekend

Phew I'm exhausted! Ben and I hosted family weekend once again this year, and once again, we had too much fun!
Thursday night Mom, Dad, Brian, Heather, and the kids came down for our annual family get together. We kicked off the weekend with pizza, margaritas, beer, and red velvet cake! We had a mini birthday party for Heather and Mom whose birthdays are quickly approaching. I made a DELICIOUS layered red velvet cake with cream cheese icing, decorated with strawberries and shaved chocolate! Mmmm mmmm.... it was AWESOME!

Friday we set out for Kings Island. The weather was perfect, the kids were in a good mood, and Ben & Heather were dying to get on the new coaster, the Diamondback. We picnicked in the parking lot prior to avoid the $15 hot dogs and $50 beers. Charlie was tall enough this year to ride more of the rides in the Nickelodeon area. We had a blast watching and riding with her. Brady fell a little short in the ride department but his favorite, by far, was Swiper's Sweeper... the kids were able to ride it together and just watching them giggle made me giggle.

Ben and Heather rode pretty much every roller coaster, while Brian and I stuck to the kiddy rides. Dad decided he wanted a taste of the roller coaster action and rode with Ben on one. Ben came out laughing, Dad came out looking a little green. Brian and I did manage to muster up the nerves to ride a few adult rides; bumper cars, swings, and thunder river. Actually, we rode thunder river three times and laughed so hard I thought I was going to barf. I guess that means, all in all, it was a fun day!

Saturday we hit up our elitist athletic club to swim with the kids. Brady spent his time doing laps around the kiddy pool (literally he ran laps around the pool with me filling up his cup and him dumping it on the ground). I think this lasted about 2 hours before we decided to try the big pool. That didn't work out too well, maybe next year. Charlie loved playing with all the kids toys, Brian got a nap, Heather hit the spa, Ben got in a work out, and Dad finished a crossword book. Successful trip!

Saturday after the kid's nap, Mom and Dad had brought a special surprise for the them. A Harley Davidson F150 truck! It was awesome, real radio, tailgate that works, and adjustable seats. They LOVED it! Charlie drove and Brady got whip lash. Brady was holding his neck with one hand and gripping the door with the other while his sister drove. It was so funny, she was such a big girl and driving with such attitude as she passed other neighborhood kids. We grilled out shish kabobs, played hillbilly golf, drank wine & margaritas, opened random presents from Mom and Dad and enjoyed each others drunk company.

Sunday came quickly, but before everyone packed up, a trip to Home Goods for Heather, Mom, and me was in order. A trip to Home Goods wraps up every visit to my house, in fact, it's on the schedule for next weekend when Ben's folks are here.

Busy August, but we are having so much fun so far and it's only the 4th!!