Playing catch up- Part 1: Deep Creek Lake!

We've been BIZ-EE!! Thought I'd bring all my readers up to speed with the happenings going on around here. :)

We escaped to the lake for a nice long weekend a couple weeks back- MUCH needed change of scenery and change of pace!  We enjoyed GORGEOUS weather, but were a bit disappointed by the location of our rental property on the lake.  What attracted me to this property while searching online was the size of the backyard- nice and flat as opposed to many other properties along the lake, and plenty of room for little ones to run around!  My parents joined us for the first two nights, and we stayed one more on our own.

By the way- this was Lina's very first trip away from home!  She handled things VERY well and enjoyed herself. :)

Lots of exploring to do!

The bummer about this location- instead of being on the main part of the lake, this was a little outskirt where the water was only a foot deep off the end of our dock, and all full of algea and yuck.  Mike was really looking forward to some good fishing time, but this was not a good place to fish.  We did not plan to swim since we were expecting cooler temperatures, and this certainly would not be the place to swim!

Still had a fairly decent view though. :) The big kids did get to enjoy the hot tub- we keep it turned down to 95 when they are taking a dip for anyone who is concerned. ;)

The littles enjoyed time at a little playground located next to a few restaurants where we ate a night or two.

This slide was SUPER fast- Lina wanted help from PopPop.

Evan's first time on a big boy swing!

And chillin with Daddy.  He's become such a ham for the camera!

The big kids enjoyed some time at Wisp- I took them to the mountain coaster there which they have ridden before, and they had a couple new attractions there since the last time we went.  The mountain coaster is AWESOME.  Go check out the link above- you can also find videos of people riding it on youtube. Kaylin wanted to ride by herself this time... Justin was JUST tall enough to ride alone this year also, but opted to ride with Mom. :) So, I didn't get any pics except for us going up the hill- Kaylin is in the car ahead of us.

The new attractions next to the mountain coaster: a nice playground as well as a new obstacle course!  Had  we known the playground was there- Mike would have brought the little kids to enjoy, but instead he kept them back at the house since there was never anything here for them before. Ah well- next time!

The obstacle course was really cute- both kids were eager to try it out, especially the zip line!  Justin quickly volunteered to go first, but moments into it, got scared and wished he would have let Kaylin go first!

Getting suited up- Justin looks like he's getting frisked but really that wasn't part of the preparation. ;)

Pumped up! Let's do this!

Getting instructions

First obstacle- climbing across the ropes.... Justin is nervous already.

Almost there!

Kaylin's turn...

... meanwhile, Justin makes it across the little rope bridge.

Kaylin has to pose for a picture before she continues across ;)

This next part, Justin got REALLY scared and needed help.... He had to walk across the log with only the scattered ropes hanging down to cling to.  Scary stuff!!

I couldn't get a good view, but this is Kaylin going down the first little zip line and Justin heading up the ropes to the big zip line!

Going up!

Yep, I see you, Justin! 

Justin coming down (bear with me as I wasn't used to taking video with this particular camera and couldn't tell if it was recording LOL it's a little slow to start):

And Kaylin!

Last part: crossing the suspended beams

Hey, Mom- this is HARD!!

All in all, that was pretty much the extent of our weekend getaway.  Most the time we just kicked back and enjoyed being away from home for just a bit.  Summer was trying at times since we were tied down with no where to go after taking three trips to Russia. :)  

Next post: BUDDY WALK!! :)