Great Wolf Lodge Snowland

I'm so excited we were asked back to Great Wolf Lodge see my boys aren't the loudest out there. Take that cranky old lady in the grocery store! LOL no really my boys actually were rather on the quiet side, it's actually nice to go somewhere and not be stared at for loud and crazy kids! So what do you do? You take them to a indoor waterpark with hundreds of other kids! Yup you fit right in and guess what? They are expected that there will be running and screaming up and down the hallways. Guess we'll see if we get invited back again .. LOL.

The fun thing about this trip was Snowland. Yup you guessed it, it actually snows in the lobby. Well it's technically a soap mix but it looks like real snow falling down twice a day! The boys loved it. We only stayed one night but we packed in as much of the festivities as we could. I do recommend staying at least 2 nights so you can do all the festivities along with the day to day events they have.

Snowland Offers:

• Santa's Arrival & Tree Lighting
• visit with Santa, carol sing-alongs
• kids earn their "Snowland Mittens" at North Pole University
• Santa's Workshop in the Cub Club: kids make holiday cards, presents to give away, wish list

The year ends with Snowball on December 31, a New Year's bash with karaoke, New Year’s Eve feast, dancing, waterslide races with prizes.

Now I know cost is a huge thing with everyone this time of year, but do your searching and you can find some great deals and make this a Christmas no one will forget! Plus they have refrigerator in every room along with microwaves and you know what drives me a coffee pot. The Great Wolf Lodge next to us was close to a Walmart where we picked up some goodies when we didn't go out for the meals.

In true fashion of the way I roll I took pictures like crazy and instead of going on and on with my words (which I know you hang on to with breathless anticipation). So here it goes, well with some words also!!!

So we start our journey in the car!

I decided that I would let the boys open an early Christmas Present

I got an amazing deal at Target for a Dual Screen DVD

Black Friday with my coupons got me this for $77

Here we are on our way to the Great Wolf Lodge

The fun festivities that greet you!

I just love all the tree's they were each decorated different

The boys loved the one you waved your wand in front of to make it talk.

Things you'll see and may not see

To your left you will notice the kiddy pool empty

Well let's just say we got to see first hand what they do to clean up!

Yes there is a guy testing the water!

I know you all wondered!!

They have a garbage and recycling bins in your room

Beds that are comfy!

And of course a big bucket that dumps water!

Family Photo op times everywhere!

Hint* - Great idea for Christmas Cards!

The buffet is a good deal if you can eat enough.

I'm not a big eater, but Rick loved it!

Plus again family friendly so when you're kids scream

you look around and the others are too!

It's snowing INSIDE!!!

During Story time the clock tower animals talk and move!

Rodolph came to visit while they read a book to us.

Then it snowed! So cute kids in PJ's and snow falling.

Then it snowed outside!!

Then guess what it snowed again INSIDE!

Mommy Blogger Breakfast!

Kids tables were so cute!

And yummy food from the buffet.

I think that's the key for me give me breakfast food!

And the best part ...

Yes besides the breakfast buffet!

Is the amazing mommy bloggers!

Here are a few of my fav

well the ones that I could wrangle into a picture ... LOL

Jen Absolutely Bananas

(I'm now stalking her, she's hillarious)

My girl Shannon The Mommy-Files

(she keeps me updated with these events)

Carrie @ Stop Screaming I'm Driving!

(another hilarious mommy)

Stacey Because I must blog

And of course hello there is a water park attached!

Caden loved the kiddy pool!

Not only is it a pool but slides and jetski's that squirt water.

Cole was a big boy loved the slides and the wave pool.

Mom loved sitting on the side reading a book!

Oh yeah Dad too was like a little kid running around!

So there it is our great adventure and so much fun! Looking for a great way to runaway? Head to Great Wolf Lodge and you'll enjoy every minute of it! Just check out Caden's smile, how can he be wrong?

We did not receive a free trip, we were given a discount on our rate. These are my opinions from my families experience at the park.

Finally day 2 of our Great Wolf Lodge Water Park Resorts. Sorry it took me so long to get this up, been so crazy around here!


Day two was a super exciting day, the alarm went off at 7am and I was up like a flash of lighting hit my butt. Well it also may have something to do with my 2 year old sleeping next to me kicking me the whole time! To those of you who were wondering yes they had an iron and ironing board! Yes I actually got up ironed my shirt, pants and outfits for the boys! Ok let me just tell you the water in the iron of course kept squirting out all over the clothes. After some frustrating and a few mommy words I was done. Got the boys up and started rounding everyone up. My lovely husband as always was the non morning person who did not want to get going. This time I'm blaming the being 10 minutes late to him. All I have to say is thank the lord that the breakfast was there in the resort.


Let me just say when I walked into the Northwest Territory Ballroom I was blown away! They had this amazing table set up with cloth bags and Starbucks coupon. Then I look over and see all these balloons, yup they had kids tables set up, with color books, special drink cups, a coupon for scoops (the ice cream bar) and let's not forget the big jars of cotton candy. Now this was what I saw before walking into the room, I walk in and see 2 chef's standing in front of loads of food. And a omelet bar, yes omelets made to order! Ok let me let you in on what was running thru my mind before we left the room. I was thinking on NO maybe they didn't mean for the kids to come with us, what if it's a sit down in the dinning room where my kids will run around and drive me and the other dinner nuts. You don't even know the HUGE sigh of relief I let out when I walked into the room. They really are so family orientated, I was so relieved and happy to be welcomed into what felt like a family!


Our breakfast was amazing, I even got in a few bites between talking with Jon our wonderful host at Great Wolf Lodge Water Park Resorts. Rick was actually very helpful and sat at the kids table with the boys, I know shut your mouth I had the same reaction! Of course half way thru the meal Caden fell off his chair and started to cry. Leave it to my boys! Jon was so sweet he had one of the helper get Caden a special bear that has a wrap on his arm, it's their boo boo bear they give any kid that gets hurt! I was so impressed with these amazing people who really make you feel like part of the family. Jon let us pick his brain on any questions we had to share with you! In my last post I told you about the waterpark and all the amazing things, today I'll let you know more about the lodge :).

• They have a new program "Ask a Mom" yup on their site you can ask an actual mom about coming to the lodge and family vacation planning. Look finally a manual we've always asked for!
• They have some amazing sponsors they have teamed up with: Pampers Splashers, Little Tikes (you can even purchase them) and Pepsi cans soon! (Look on your Pepsi can for special deals to come.
• The Washington Lodge has 398 rooms including Theme rooms and suites (suites good for a bunch of you to pull your resources!)
• Cub Club for "Edutainment" - Now I thought this was super cool, on day 3 we checked this out. The Cub Club is a cool place to take your kids to play and do different activities. They try to make fun to have Education and Entertainment for kids all wrapped up into one!
• GR8 is a cool place for Preteens and Teens and night time it turns into a dance club! They had the coolest kids there had dances to each song. It reminded me of the movies I've seen around the 50's time frame. Very fun!
• Scoops Spa is a fun spa for kids! Let me tell you if I was a little girl I would be in heaven! All the things in there are named after yummy ice cream dishes!
• They have a convention Center you can do 2 groups 30,000 sf! Let me tell you when we were leaving a Chearleading Camp was doing stunts in these rooms, door shut you couldn't even hear them!
• Discount for Group 10 or 12 Rooms
• Quality food by Chefs in a MILLION dollar kitchen! Did I also mention the head chef was an IRON CHEF! That was super exciting to me.

After our amazing breakfast we said our good byes and head back to the water park! Another day of fun of playing in the water, well the boys did I know I went to a waterpark and didn't bring a swimsuit! I know I own a few but let's just say not in a size I'm at currently. But I did finish my book finally and that my girls is the best day I could have. Rick took Cole around the whole place and came back every so often to take Caden in the pool too!


For dinner we hooked up with Shannon of the The Mommy-Files and her family to have dinner at a local Mexican restaurant. Let me just say this having time with her family was wonderful but the waitress we had was so rude and did not appreciate us having kids. Let's just say we ate quick and her tip wasn't large! Thank you Shannon it was so nice to have dinner with you and your family I hope to do it again soon!


Of course our night did end there the waterpark was open for an hour and half longer so Cole and Rick got in there suits and went off to the park. I put Caden into his PJ's and went down for story time! Yup they have story time isn't that too cool! They had the coolest little show with statues that move around and talk, then out came Wolfy and a Story Time Lady who read a very sweet book. It was wonderful, now only if you could get the adults NOT to sit in front so the kids can sit there! Sometimes you want to slap some of these people ... LOL.


After that we headed into the park to see the boys just finishing up and then time for ice cream! The perfect way to end a day! Caden and I hit the arcade where I didn't have to spend a dime just put Caden in front of music and he's the hit of the party! After some dancing we went to bed while Rick and Cole hit the dance club ... LOL. Talk about a fabulous and fun day! One more day to come, wait for next weeks final cap of our trip. :)

WWW ~ Great Wolf Lodge Stay Day 1 of 3

I'm happy to say we made it safe to Great Wolf Lodge, we of course got off to a late start which put us into some lovely traffic! Our 45 minute drive took around 2 hours! During this time I had a nice little nap, which of course made Rick upset but deal with it dude it's finally my time! I did call the lodge before we left to see if they had refrigerators in the rooms. Guess what they have them in EVERY room! Yes they understand that times are tough and people are trying to make the most of their bucks. They actually encourage you to do this, isn't that fabulous!

A quick stop at Wallyworld and we're off to Great Wolf Lodge. I was so excited and so were the boys they did the whole are we there yet! Finally we got to Exit 88 and right off the freeway we found the Great Wolf Lodge. I couldn't get over how full the parking lot was, it was great to see that everyone else was enjoying family time.

You walk in and just have this warm feeling, it just had this home feeling. We checked in and got our little wrist bracelets that is your room key! You could even put money on your wristband to use around the park. Don't worry you can put a cap on the kids one if you want :).

We walked up to our room and found the most amazing Kids Cabin. The boys had an amazing room with bunks and another bed, even their own TV. Yes Cole thought it was so cool, and climbed up to the top bunk. Caden of course wanted to do whatever big brother did (just wait for day 2 story on what happened there.) While they were checking out their room I found the amazing treats that were left in the room for us! Oh yes (see picture) of fudge, cookies, marshmallows treats and other yummy goodies. I'm sad to say my diet went out the door and I ate a little too much. There was even a personal note from John the director of sales, wasn't that sweet! Yes I kept the card, I'm crazy like that! Yes it will go into the scrapbook ;). Not only did they leave treats for me (yes those where just for me) they left Paw Passes for the kids! Let me tell you this is the coolest thing ever for like $80 you get a pass to do all these amazing things around the park it worth like $150! The boys had a BLAST doing all the things on the pass, don't worry I took pictures!

After bouncing on the beds we got the boys into swim trunks and to the water park we went! Ok hold on for this they have a 60,000 sf Indoor Waterpark, the temperature is a warm 82 degrees and the water is 84 degrees. The thing that really impressed me is 95 percent of the water is reclaimed! Talk about a GREEN way of doing it, yes they are 100% GREEN Certified. This is the way they keep the cost of electricity down and pass that along to you. And don't worry about safety they have 24 to 25 lifeguards on duty at all time! They are double certified (yes I asked).

At first Cole was a little scared but then after one ride he was a champ and we had a hard time getting him off the water slide. He went down the biggest one there, as he will tell anyone listening he went down the BLUE one and LOVED it! There was only one he couldn't do but he made use of the other 2. And for those who want to go outside they have a Tadpole pond outside with a BBQ pit! Yes we did it all and were so wore out, that when I went down to meet my girls Shannon and Mona I didn't take our pictures. Might also be that I was sitting in 82 degree waterpark and had no make up left on my face! LOL, don't worry I have more pictures to come!

Enjoy some fun pictures of our 1st day, I'm breaking this up into 3 post since we did so much I don't want to overwhelm you :).

So check out my pictures from the car ride (traffic) to driving up, checking in, our room, the treats, the note, the kiddies section, the huge water tower in the middle with a HUGE bucket that fills up and then dumps down (watch for 2 pictures of that). Thank you again to John and Jennifer at Great Wolf Lodge for inviting us mommy bloggers to come stay with you. We had so much fun and I can't wait to share Days 2 and 3 with you soon!

Let the Packing Begin ... Great Wolf Lodge Here We Come (hope they are ready for my boys!)

I'm so excited tomorrow we leave to meet up with a few of my favorite mommy bloggers. Shannon over at The Mommy-Files set up this wonderful adventure and invited me and my family to tag along with 2 other mommy bloggers! I'm so excited to go on a mini vacation, yes it's like 45 minutes from my house but still Great Wolf Lodge is an amazing lodge that get this is a water park also! Ok the ones that know me are going your excited about a waterpark? Wouldn't that mean a bathing suit? In most cases that would, in my case that means suits for the boys and shorts and tank top for me to sit by reading a book! Thankfully I've been sent about 10 to review so I'm super excited to get some rest and relaxation!

I even took Friday off so we could head up early to let the boys hit the water! We check in Friday night and don't have to leave until Sunday! Yeah I'm so excited I haven't even packed yet! LOL I did start to pull the boys clothes out, so my mission is to pack tomorrow ... ok Friday morning? It's only 2 days how much does that have to be right?

Yes I'm so cheap I hope that we have a fridge in the room so we can stock up ... LOL! I've heard they do have amazing restaurants and a buffet that we'll have to work into the budget also. I did look up the prices and was excited that it was actually pretty inexpensive. Plus they have a game that is like Harry Potter that you carry around a wand and wave it infront of different things thru out the hotel to find clues etc! You know I'll be making the boys do that, even though Rick is not a Harry Potter fan. He's just going to have to deal with it!

So the funny thing I must share is Rick has been complaining about all the blogging I've been doing. Then the items to review came in and he was well it's not too bad but now we have a lot of items taking up space ... LOL. So he's been asking for years to go to Great Wolf Lodge and I'm like hello when do ever take vacations? So when the opportunity came around he and I actually moved around work and guess what, we're going to Great Wolf Lodge so in your face .... LOL.

Oh plus it's our 6th Anniversary on Sunday so check it out it's a all in one kind of deal! We haven't taken a vacation since our 1 year anniversary were we stayed ONE night at a B&B. So check us out 5 years later we're taking TWO nights! Yup we work slowly up to things! Heck the last real vacation was our honeymoon, where we had fun and Cole became my souvenir I took home ... :).

So yet another night I'm blogging and not packing ... LOL! Have a wonderful weekend, I hope to post a few reviews and another giveaway before I leave. But don't worry this crazy picture mom will be taking a lot of pictures to show off! No bathsuit for this girl, but don't worry it will still be a GREAT time!

Thank you again Great Wolf Lodge and Shannon @ The Mommy-Files for this amazing weekend away! I even took Saturday off! Do you realize this is the first time I haven't worked a weekend in a very long time (well minus computer issue) but this is for fun stuff!