Great Wolf Lodge: Fall 2019

We were able to get away during the middle of this week and visit Great Wolf Lodge in Grand Mound, Washington.  This is one of my kiddos favorite places to visit and being that it is only and hour and twenty minutes from our home, it is convenient as well.  

I hadn’t planned on a trip this fall, because we are taking the kids to Disneyland in November. However, I was sent a coupon for $99 dollars a night for the six of us, and I jumped at this deal. In the past, during the summer we have paid three times that amount for one night at GWL.  

My kiddos had some days off this week so they all only missed one day of school.  When we arrived at GWL they offered us a room upgrade to a two bedroom and two bathroom.  Umm yes please!!! The lodge was practically empty, compared to other times we have been there.  When we checked in at 12:30pm our room was already ready for us and we hit the water park.  

Matthew absolutely loves the water and went down the purple kid water slide approximately 784 times.  Over and over and over and over and loved every single time!  The olders did the large water slides and the wave pool.  After we left the water park, the kids played Magi Quest and bingo.  They also got to trick or treat inside the lodge that night.

I think the highlight for me was watching Bella win the major Monster Jackpot in the arcade.  I gave each kiddo a $10 arcade card for games.  And she wins 2500 tickets!!!  She came away with an LOL doll pillow, a GWL Rainbow Bear and other goodies.  Seriously it was the most fun thing to watch. Luke absolutely loves the Magi Quest game and now that he has a cell phone it is nice he can go play and we can check in with him.  He started a new game this trip since he completed the last quest.  

It was nice just to take a break.  From therapy and routine and VIPKID and all my daily to do lists and responsibilities.  Both Mark and I needed to just hang with the kids, and that is exactly what we did!  Now the countdown is on to Disneyland!  I am so excited...maybe even more excited than my kids!

Hawaiian Airlines: First Class Review

When we got married in 1999, our 20th anniversary seemed so far way.  But time has a way of going very quickly and just like that...20 years have gone by.  We had always talked about going to Hawaii for our 20th anniversary, and flying first class.  When you are married 20 years you celebrate BIG!

We used a combination of miles and money to purchase our first class tickets.  We both have a Hawaiian Airlines credit card and earn miles on purchases.  We flew to Maui last year with our entire family (of 6) and pooled all of those miles together.  We flew direct from PDX (Portland) to OGG (Kahului) on an Airbus 321neo like the one pictured below.  

It is a single aisle aircraft; however, it feels bigger inside than a 737.  I also have flown coach on the 321neo last year and was very comfortable in economy with my kiddos...in the back (seriously like row 42).  

I have to tell you we had so much fun flying first class!  The minute we sat down the flight attendant was handing out drinks.  We had our pick of a Mai Tai, guava juice and water.  I picked the guava juice, as 6:45am was a bit too early for a Mai tai.  Haha.  We relaxed back into our comfy seats (complete with pillow and a nice blanket) and listened to the Hawaiian music.  

Every passenger was handed a menu of the flight's food selection.  We would be served brunch since it was an early morning flight.  

Seriously...you all...the food NEVER stopped.  And it was all REALLY good!

Mark and I had plenty of room both in our leather seats and ample leg room.  My feet barely touched the floor (I am 5'6").  Each first class seat was equipped with a foot rest, and we both had our seats reclined the entire flight after take off.

(This is what the first class cabin looks like aboard the Airbus 321neo).  Our seats were on the right hand side (4H & 4J).

As soon as we were above 10,000 feet, the flight attendants were up and handing out iPad minis and noise cancelling headphones.  I have never worn noise cancelling headphones before...they were AMAZING!!!  I need some for around the house sometimes...LOL.  We had access to all the entertainment on the app.  I actually watched 2 movies back to back.  Instant family and Crazy Rich Asians.  I can't remember the last time I actually watched two movies in a row!    

The service was incredible.  I felt like the flight attendants were attentive but they didn't hover.  It was a good balance.  After the Ipads and headsets were passed out, they came around with hot towels and cloth napkins to cover our tables.  The first course was drinks with a bowl of macadamia nuts.  They were crunchy, salty and perfect!

Next was the fruit course.  We were given real silverware and salt and pepper shakers.  The fruit was ripe and sweet.

The main course was a cheese and tomato quiche with sausage.  It was hot and flavorful.  The sausage was a bit spicy, but I like it. I did not need to add salt or pepper to either.

The last course was a chocolate hazelnut cheesecake.  I requested hot tea and they were more than happy to fulfil my wish.

Throughout the entire flight, our cups were always full of whatever we wanted. I loved the etching of the Hawaiian Airlines logo on the glasses.  Not having to wait in a long line for a restroom was nice as only 16 of us had to share the one up front.

Before I knew it, they were coming by with a bag of Maui chips, more Mai Tais and our declaration forms.  We arrived in Maui relaxed, well fed and ready to continue our vacation.

Flying first class was a treat.  And even though I realize this was more like business class, I enjoyed every minute of it, and to me, it was worth it.  I will never forget holding hands with my cute husband at 38,000 feet.  It was an incredible experience, amazing to celebrate, and one I would love to have again.

Week #10 @ The Dahlhouse: Vegas Vacation & Grace's 13th Birthday

I now have another teenager in the house!  Grace recently celebrated her 13th birthday.  She had a wonderful Saturday where her and her friend hung out together, got pedicures, dinner and a movie.  I sure enjoyed my time with them (even if I was the mom and the money).

On her actual birthday, I took her balloons, Krispe Kreme donuts and lunch to school for her.  She was very happy.  I enjoy her company, her heart for caring for little ones and her sense of humor.  She challenges me, but in a good way, and I pray we keep laughing together through these upcoming teenage years.

The very next morning, Mark and I got up very early, headed to the airport and flew off to Vegas.  We take an annual vacation just the two of us and I look forward to it all year.  Last year was Honolulu Hawaii, and this year Las Vegas.

This year was even more special because my brother and sis-in-law joined us.  Whenever the four of us are together we seriously have the best time!  Having never been to Vegas before, my brother pulled out all the stops and I was blown away by his creativity and generosity.  It was nice to have long talks with Katie and not be interrupted by little people who wanted her attention as much as me.

Every time anyone needed to use the restroom, we would return to a scene such as the one above.  "When in Vegas...right?"  We were joking by the end of the trip asking, "How much did that bathroom break cost?"  Lol.

I felt dwarfed in this huge city (both in height and personality).  It was amazing to take in the lights, color, sounds and yes...even smells.  Ok...maybe not so much amazingness in the smells, but I am now able to correctly identify the individual smells of sewer, cigarettes and marijuana.  

My brother is the literally the best.  We fought like crazy when we were growing up.  I never wanted him in my room, around me, or touching any of my things.  But now, even though he is younger, I look up to him.  He is a very accomplished business man, and extremely successful.  However, he is humble and generous and oh how I wish we lived closer.  I appreciate his candor and ability to call something like it is.  He doesn't beat around the bush, and is quick to the point.  This past week, he opened the world up a little wider to me.  Me...a stay at home mama whose weekly outings are a grocery store, therapy and if I am lucky Target.  And there is nothing wrong with any of those things, but I appreciated the culinary skills of the chefs who made the most amazing food I have ever eaten, the art work in the Bellagio, music in the Venetian, and the acrobats who performed the most mind boggling show I have ever seen (Cirque de Soleil: KA).

To be able to have an uninterrupted conversation with Mark is a gift in of itself.  We normally either pause to pick up the conversation at a later time, or talk over the loud circus we have going on in our home at times.  What a gift to have all the attention and not have to share.  I will be treasuring this trip for a very long time.

The Bellagio had some of their amazing Chinese New Year decorations still displayed.  Even though the main display was "dark" the week that we were in Las Vegas, I was able to enjoy the symbols of Chinese New Year that I have come to know and love.  And all the red lanterns!!!  It was a sight to see.

At Bally's I won big...big for me!  I decided video poker is my calling in terms of Casino games.  Haha.  I did manage to get 4 Queens and walked away with $75 dollars.

I equally enjoyed my time with Katie.  The sister I always wanted.  We laughed so much I was crying at times.  I will never ever forget the cab ride.  Lol.  She is an up lifter and encourager.  I know whenever I need her she is there for me.

The first night we were in Vegas we ate at Morimotos.  My kids and I were avid Iron Chef watchers and he was our favorite.  Luke was just a little bit jealous we were eating there.  The food was amazing!!!  The Hamachi tacos will go down in history as one of the very best appetizers I have ever eaten. And I am usually not a fan of raw fish.

(Sisters at Morimotos)

(It is called, "The Angry Chicken")

(Brothers)

(The two events we attended the first night in Vegas: Morimoto and KA)

David scored us amazing seats at KA!  (Third row).  I could see the sweat pouring off of the performers, and look up and see them flying over us.  I wish I could have taken pictures of the amazing acts, acrobatics, moving stage and flying, but no photography allowed.  At one point, the moving stage went completely vertical and the fight scene that ensued was amazing.  It was as if you were watching it from above, looking down on it.  An amazing experience I will always remember.  

(The world's biggest chandelier at the Cosmopolitan). 

Top Golf at the MGM Grand was another experience organized by my brother.  It did not disappoint.  If you ever have a chance to go and have zero golf experience, GO!  It is like a driving range and bowling morphed into one.

Seriously...the food doesn't stop!

Mark was able to see the race trucks/cars/bikes that were getting ready to race the Mint 400.  He had been looking forward to this for a very long time.  He was happy!

M+M Store.  27 colors of M+Ms.  I had no idea.

Another amazing dinner was had at Capo's.  An Italian eatery and speakeasy.  Seriously you guys...you entered from a side door and they opened a smaller slider door so you could only see their face and ask you what the password is!  So.much.fun.  High backed red booths and mobsters photographs adorned the walls in the restaurant.  A magician came to our table and entertained us with his magic and baffled my husband who was trying to figure out how he could do these tricks.

I found the cupcake ATM machine, because seriously we watch Food Network and I had to try cupcakes from the Sprinkles bakery.  The cupcake did not disappoint and was probably the best cupcake I had ever eaten before in my life.

No trip is ever complete without a visit to In and Out Burger.

Overall, our trip to Las Vegas was everything I was hoping it would be and more.  I was so thankful to have that time with Mark and David and Katie.  We came home to very happy children and very clean home (thanks to my amazing mother).  I want to learn how to clean like her when I grow up.  The kids did very well while we were gone.  So did my mom.  So thankful to my village that steps in and helps.  I love that others root for our relationship. 

I am still adjusting to this weeks realities which have included: dental appointments, an IEP meeting, therapy and speech therapy, vomiting children, cooking and cleaning.  I find myself reliving the past week over and over again in my head.  Or having thoughts such as, "last week at this time I was.....".  However, mostly, I am just thankful.  So very, very thankful.