Minnesota Vacation, Part 3 - Days 1 and 2

Tuesday morning, we packed up our suitcases again and headed up to Brainerd, Minnesota, for a few days at a hotel/waterpark. That evening, we enjoyed some Pizza Ranch for supper before spending a short time in the waterpark.

After baths, the boys hopped into bed for a bedtime story - "Goodnight, Minnesota." 

The next day (Wednesday) we headed about 20 miles north to Breezy Point Resort where my Grandma Nelson has a timeshare at a cabin. My parents and sister and her family were also there. 

Jonah enjoyed chatting with Great Grandma Nelson.

That afternoon, we went into Nisswa for their weekly Turtle Races, which Mike and I both participated in when we were little. 

Here we are with our turtles ready to start the race.

Go, turtles, GO!

Mike and Jonah threw some water on their turtle to try to move it along.

We got to participate in 4 or 5 races. Our turtles didn't win any of their races, but we had a lot of fun anyway!

Later that afternoon, we went swimming at the pool at the resort. Silas LOVED the waterslide and rode down with Mike too many times to count. Jonah was timid at first. Mike carried him up the stairs kicking and screaming, but after the first time down Jonah did admit that it was fun. After a few more times with Mike, he was ready to go down on his own. We were so proud of him for overcoming one of his fears!

Before our vacation, we got Jonah this Puddle Jumper floatie. It was perfect for him!

Jonah going down the slide and being caught by Grandpa and Uncle Paul. I couldn't even tell you how many times Jonah went down. His little legs just kept climbing the two flights of stairs over and over again!

It was so fun to watch Silas go down, too! Every time Mike set him on the side of the pool, he would reach his arms up and say, "Again! Again! Again" until Mike would pick him up and take him up the stairs again. And, of course, he cried when we had to leave.

After we returned to our hotel that night, we spent a few minutes in the arcade. The boys enjoyed the games that were appropriate for their ages, especially this little hoops basketball game. Jonah actually made a number of shots.

If you didn't already guess, the boys were worn out by the end of the day. I think wearing the boys out was a common theme throughout our vacation!