Day Five, the "Farm" . . .

In planning for our trip to Newport this year, we had decided that we would hit LegoLand. We were excited to find out that they were opening a new water park this summer. My kids were on their best behavior for weeks before, not wanting to be left behind a visit to this specific amusement park. A couple of weeks out, in discussing it with my sister, we decided to forego our plans. I told my kids their cousins weren't going and all three agreed that it wouldn't be fun without them. They were absolutely fine with not going . . . surprise, great surprise.

Well, less than a week before our departure, my parents called and asked if we'd be okay with going to Knott's Berry Farm . . . they could get a really great deal on tickets & it would be their treat. I let them know that we'd love to go (duh) and that it really wasn't necessary. They did it. Bought tickets and teeshirts for the kids too. I'm glad they did. The week was so cool & rainy that we didn't get to frequent the beach or pool as much as we had hoped. The kids were bored, watching too much Disney channel, getting in arguments over UNO & Checkers rules . . . we needed something to break the monotony. 

The parents were sworn to secrecy about the whole thing. We woke up Wednesday morning and only told the kids to put on their matching shirts and we were going to a farm . . . oh boy, that wasn't met with much excitement. My oldest nephew said something about going to the "idiot farm". Upon parking at Knott's, the kids getting a look at all the looping, winding coaster tracks, excitement levels increased. That excitement level continued until they went to bed, really extra late. They even talked about doing it in two years, when we are back in Newport. Good call, grandma & grandpa.

Here is our family outside the gates of "America's 1st Theme Park".

All in all it was a fabulous day . . . for most of us. My sister Chelle who had scorched her legs on Monday, they were clearly swollen and retaining a ridiculous amount of water, wasn't so happy about being dragged to an amusement park. Picture taken on the Calico train-ride to prove it . . . 

I have so, so many pictures I put them into a slideshow. A little bit of everything. The four oldest kids went with the dads to do the hardcore rides. Littlest two stuck with the moms, baby Tay, aunt Chelle & the grandparents mostly in Camp Snoopy & the kiddie rides.