The Fitch Family: Grandma Dawn Turns 60 and Takes us All to Great Wolf Lodge!

Grandma Dawn is one exceptional Grandma. She LOVES her grandbabies and spending time with them. For Grandma's 60th birthday, she surprised me with her request that we all make a trip to Great Wolf Lodge. This is a huge indoor water park/hotel/arcades/restaurants filled with tons of people and especially lots of kids. I was surprised when she first told me she'd want to spend her birthday there, but then it made total sense, because this place is kid heaven. Bunk beds in the hotel rooms, lots of warm water to play in, and lots of yummy treats! But first!! Grandma and Grandpa travelled to our house on the way to Great Wolf. Grandma spent her birthday with her babies and then the adults went out for dinner, drinks, dancing, and gambling!!! Lara stayed home and watched the babies while Matt, my parents and I partied like it was 2002!! We had a delicious dinner then headed to the casino for some awesome people watching and dancing, followed by more drinks and gambling. We laughed a lot and had so much fun.

THEN Andy, Joanna, Henry, and Wes joined the party on Saturday for some cousin play time followed by a delicious meal of Salmon (fresh caught from Alaska), crab risotto, and shrimp salad. Les and Kathy joined us for our festivities too. Finally, off to Great Wolf!! We headed down and got to the park around 2 pm. Got all checked in, had a stress relieving break (beer), and headed to the water park!!! This place was great. The water area was warm so the little babies (and adults) didn't get cold coming in and out of the water. There was a kiddie pool for the little ones that looked more like a playground. There was a massive wave pool. A big Fort in the middle held 2 slides that were just Paul's size (all by himself!!) and then 4 big adult slides, one of which was too adult for me. I think Joanna beat it by throwing many colorful words at it on her way down. We had so much fun running around and playing. After a few hours we needed some food and a break. We headed to the very expensive restaurant for some decent food. That night, Paul and Henry shared the top bunk and Olivia got the bottom bunk. They all did great. They're getting so big!! The babies were in separate rooms with their parents. The next day we spent more time at the waterpark until the babies were all sufficiently exhausted. The weekend ended with Matt carrying a screaming Olivia out of the hotel to the car, where she promptly fell asleep the entire trip home. Everybody did. So much fun!!! Thank you grandma Dawn and HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!! You make 60 look fabulous.