Friday, March 26, 2010

Vacation

I am determined to take a family vacation this year - just the four of us. Two years ago we went on a great trip to Chicago with my aunt and uncle and cousins. We were the typical tourists and spent plenty of money at Shedd's Aquarium, Giordano's Pizza, the Sears Tower, the Museum of Science and Industry, and up and down Michigan Avenue. We had a fabulous time and I wouldn't have wanted it any other way.


Last year we went to Branson with my in-laws - the parents and all the brothers and sisters and their kids. We celebrated my husband's parent's 50th wedding anniversary with five days of togetherness at Silver Dollar City, the Noah's Ark show, mini-golf, and freezing in the pool. It was a fun trip and we made tons of memories.


These were really great vacations....but (you knew that word was coming...).....this summer we are ready to take one with just our family. Easier said than done.

We can't decide where to go. Flying is too expensive, so it has to be within an 8 hour drive. The boys want to go to a professional baseball game. Major league? Minor league?

Our first plan was Texas, and then people told us it would be 106 degrees in July. So we started looking at Colorado. But Texas has better baseball options. Ugh. And then there is Six Flags, Hurricane Harbor, and a plethera of other amusement parks. I almost bought tickets, and then my husband asked if we really want to spend half our life savings on tickets when our boys will only want to/be able to ride 8% of the rides in the park. Good point. Ugh. And then there are the hotels. I have very specific criteria for vacation hotels. Unfortunately my budget and my criteria do not match. Ugh! I need a vacation from planning vacation!

3 comments:

Emily said...

How about just Kansas City? Lots of the same kind of stuff to do there -- two big water parks, Worlds of Fun, baseball (including the T-Bones, some kind of alternative major league team with super-cheap tickets), zoo, children's museum. And a far shorter drive than Texas!

Huxman Family said...

I agree with the Kansas City thing. Even if you aren't a Royals fan, the games can be really fun. We took the kids a couple times last year. There are some tickets you can get for $15 or something, and it includes as many rides as you want from the Little Kaufman area in the outfield (batting area with a BIG whiffle ball bat and big ball, running the bases, carousel, playground, just lots to do). The kids LOVE it!!! And, if you check for the deals that INCLUDE the outfield stuff, you can really do it pretty economically. We also found we could take cinch bags in with snacks and bottled water and not even have to pay for concessions. One of the games we went to our ticket included $5 at concessions, so just see what deals you can get. I think if your kids want a baseball game, it can be an amazing experience!!! Also, there is a place up in Northern KC called Coco Keys (or something like that) which is supposed to be JUST like Great Wolf Lodge, but much more reasonably priced. I know it isn't too far out of state, but I bet you could have a GREAT time!

If you really want to go out of state, The North Pole in Colorado Springs is great too. Not sure of the cost, but the rides are VERY kid friendly! Lots of other things to do there too.

Stephanie said...

We love KC as a trip as well. It's not too far in the car. Lots to do (baseball and amusement park). Lots of great places to eat. I vote KC.