GA 2016

And we're off for another adventure in GA at the Browns.  As is typical, we spent the week with 2 sick kids.  Luckily they weren't too sick to do anything, just didn't get any of the bigger more fun things in.  But we enjoyed lots of time visiting with the family!

Always fun on the river...

Trip to the Lego store to spend allowance money!

A late birthday celebration for Emma's 15th!

Bus points earned a trip to Build a Bear

Boys and fire!

She was mad about the smell of the smoke or something, set the back yard on fire and sat there to pout instead of putting fire out...

Enjoying the sun (even if it was a little cool)

Down by the river

Annual Easter Egg Hunt

Hid so good it took Luke to find the rest!

Trip to Lake Lanier

Missing his bench buddy...

Lots of snuggles and reading time with Grandma

And it's not a Swanson vacation without a trip to Urgent Care.  Ear infections and antibiotics.

Visit to the Water conservation Heritage Center

Aliyah calls this "The first hairstyle" lol!

Some more lake time

Watching the water being released from the dam

Stopped at Grandpop Paul's for a visit on the way home, puppy and tractor rides!

And last overnight stop in Charlotte, love being out back at Uncle Parker and Aunt Joan's

Late winter randomness...

Trying to make it to spring!

We had a birthday party at a rock climbing place, kids did pretty good!

 Dr Seuss Day/PJ Day at school (Aliyah not thrilled for the picture...)

Both have new bikes and new helmets, ready to ride!

 Afternoon of bowling with church friends...

Water Park

For Christmas Nate gave a family gift of an overnight trip to this indoor water park in Lancaster.  We had to postpone twice as the kids kept getting sick.  We totally surprised them one day after Sunday School and threw them in the car and headed out.  They had a blast and were so excited.  It was perfect for their age.  The big pool was a little cold (they were both still getting over colds) but they loved the splash part and the big slides.

We needed to relax a little, warm up and get some hot liquids in them to stop the coughing.  We walked around the Park City Mall a little and drove through downtown Lancaster.  Then we had dinner at Friendly's.  We came back to the hotel, put on dry suits and headed back to the pools!

The kids love nothing more than staying in a hotel.  With all our family we always visit we rarely stay.  Max wanted to make sure we got a picture of it:)

Happy 40 years to the love of my life!

Birthday celebration #1

I had received a Gift Card to the Hotel Hershey.  I decided to surprise Nate for his 40th birthday (originally I thought he wouldn't want a party!).  We dropped the kids off at my mom's and he didn't know until we were there what was going on.  He was surprised and thrilled.  It was an unusually beautiful weekend in February and we had a wonderful night.  The hotel was beautiful, it was nice enough to enjoy some time outside.  We wandered the hotel, had a nice dinner, visited the hot tub and went down to the indoor courtyard lobby for a chocolate martini.  In the morning we had a yummy breakfast buffet and visited the Hershey Story museum before picking up the kids.  I believe he had a great 40th birthday weekend!

Birthday #2

Once I explained to him that I knew he wouldn't want a party because he was a little down about turning 40 and he then told me that a party would be ok.  So after we did our weekend away, the next weekend we had a small party with family and a few friends.