So after a very long morning at the doctor on Monday, we had decided that since we would be kinda close to the dells we would try to do a few things there. I was able to get discounted tickets to ride the Ducks from our Park and Rec Department. So we get to the dells and we are driving past all the watermarks and hotels and roller coasters and go karts and mini golfing and all the other "fun" things the Dells has to offer. And where do I take our kids? To ride the Ducks ?!?! Now we had never been on them before and we didn't tell the kids what they were or that they went from land to water. I can tell you that we pulled into a parking lot that didn't have a water park or a roller coaster. There may have been a few mumbles under some breaths as to why we were going on the Ducks. We took a quick potty break and loaded right on to the car/boat thing! The kids couldn't decide where they wanted to sit but we got it all figured out and were on our way.
Here is an eagle formation that we saw while we were on the water. I am not sure the kids were able to spot this. It was kind of hard to understand the tour guide. And we will just say that the kids didn't quite get all his "funny" jokes. Dan and I did.....the kids not so much!
It was very interesting hearing *that is what I could hear* about the massive flood last year and how Lake Delton overflowed into the Wisconsin River. We were able to see the part of the road where the lake overflowed and the damage that it did.
The tour included going on Lake Delton. We were able to see pictures of the lake totally emptied and dry and then to be riding on a boat a year later on that same lake was quite amazing. Again, the kids didn't really get it, but we were able to show them some pictures of what had happened.
Gavin kept asking why the boat wasn't moving faster in the water. We saw a few Jet boat tours going and we had decided to not do the Jet boat because we thought it would be too fast for Lanie. Gavin would have enjoyed the jet boat tour a bit more I think!
Lanie loved every minute of it. She wouldn't sit down. She had to stand and see what was going on. She is such a good trooper! As long as she has her cup and some snacks she is good to go! The ride back to the parking lot on the duck was quite interesting. The driver stalled out on a huge hill. We were stuck on a big angle trying to get up this hill. I felt so bad for him. He really had to work to get the Duck back up that hill. Then a minute or so later he parked the Duck and stopped. He then had to give us his "speech" on how this is his summer job and what he is going to school for. At this point, another little girl on the tour was screaming because she dropped her cup off the side of the Duck. The dad started to climb out and the tour guide freaked. "Uh, Sir, the tour is almost over." It was mad chaos. The tour guide jumped off and got the cup and the girl calmed down. He proceeded with his speech and and in a way only tour guides can, asked for tips or donations. I gave him $5. I got sucked in to feeling bad for him. We finally made it back to the end of the tour!
I know that Dan and I had a good time. The older kids did as well. We were able to see some wildlife while going through the woods which was neat. I think the kids got a little bored on the water tour part just because the boat moved so slow and we sat right where the exhaust came out and it was pretty stinky! Overall though, I am really glad we did it!
We then headed to Downtown Dells. We started by having a "vintage" picture taken of us. I remember doing this when I was younger and I thought the girls would enjoy doing it. We chose a Wild West theme. The girls got a fancied up and Gavin and Dan got to dress up like cowboys and hold guns. We had a great time! The ladies there were all very impressed with us. The one woman who took the pictures said she never photographed such a large group that listened so well and did what she told them to do. The cashier said she had worked there for 15 years and never saw a family work so well together! That made me a very proud Mommy! After the picture the kids were on a mission. They each had $5 burning a hole in their pockets. They watched our neighbors guinea pigs for them for a week and they were so very generous and gave each of the kids $5. ( I guess cause the guinea pigs were so hard to take care of!) Anyways, they were searching for their perfect prize! Gavin spent his at the first store on an airplane. It actually cost a little more than $5 but Mommy helped him out. He then proceeded to cry at each and every store we went in then because he wanted something else and didn't have any money left. A hard but good lesson to learn! We stopped to try a funnel cake....one funnel cake split between 8 peoples meant not a lot of funnel cake for everyone!
Then off to Mini Gold at Pirate's Cove! I had gotten discounted tickets again for me and Dan and Molly and Sadie. The other kids could all golf for free.
Gavin insisted that we take a funny picture before starting to golf.
I don't know why Dan and I paid to golf. We didn't get a chance too. The kids were so excited and so fast that by the time it was our turn to try and golf, the kids were on to the next hole. Gavin had a blast! No one followed the correct mini golfing rules, we didn't keep score, and we even bent down to move our ball when we didn't like where it was!
They were all very patient when they had to wait for the family ahead of us to finish.
No one got hit in the head with a golf club. Sadie and Molly had very high swings. It was kinda scary!
Dan managed to golf at a few holes. He is such a pro! Who eyes up a mini golf hole? Our Daddy does!
Lanie was a trooper still! She sat and kept a watchful eye on everyone. She LOVES having so many siblings to watch!
Our last stop was at the Kalahari Resort. We have been there before but it was a long time ago. I wanted to go in and take the kids to look around. The kids wanted to see the indoor water park so the lady at the desk said we could go in and look around. We proceeded to walk around in the water park. The kids were so excited and they had a lot to look at.
Poor Kenadie. She wasn't paying attention to where she was going and she walked right into a pool. Dan and I both saw it coming but it all happened to fast. By the time I was telling her to watch where she was going she was already in. Dan scooped her out right away, but the tears still came! She was scared and wet. The life guard came over to see if she was okay. She really wasn't in there for more than 5 seconds. We took her to the gift shop and got her a cheap shirt to wear so she could be dry. We were going to look around some more, but after the fall in the pool... it was time to head home!
No one fell asleep on the way home. Even though we were all up at 6:30 a.m. and had a very long action filled day. We still hadn't told them what the baby was yet so they were all still very excited to find out. Sometimes doing things with so many kids seems so overwhelming to us. Somehow Dan and I make it work. The kids don't fight and they listen to us....most of the time. I think that helps when we all go somewhere. They know that is they don't behave that we will just leave. Now, I am not saying it is all fun and roses.....we do have out bad times as well. I am glad that we braved the dells for the afternoon! Now the kids want to go to a big water park.....ummm we will have to see about that. We might need to call in some reinforcements for that one!
I'm so sorry to admit it, but the thought of poor Kenadie falling into the pool makes me laugh!! I think Beefs has a future as a ninja!!
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