Cherry Hill and "Maleficent"

Last year, one of our favorite things was going to Cherry Hill, so this year we made sure to get a pass of our own. We had it paid off after the first week. We've loved going almost every week with cousins, family, and even just the two of us. It's been really good bonding time.

One thing I love about having a pass is that we can go up for 2 hours and I don't feel like we're wasting any money. If we only did day passes, I'd want to stay all day to get my money's worth. I think that if you go someplace often enough, a pass is the way to go! I've contemplated getting a Lagoon one for next summer. I guess we'll see...

Near the end of last year, Walter's favorite ride was the "Dragon Slide." So this year it was one of the first things we did. Totally freaked him out. He wouldn't go near it again. 

Fast forward a couple weeks...I was in need of a "date night" and since Levi wasn't available, I took Walter. We went to see "Maleficent" the new Angelina Jolie film in the theater. I had him watch the trailers several times and kept asking, "Is this scary or cool?" and he'd keep answering, "Cool!" It's also by Disney, so I figured it's probably a kids' film. We walk into the theater and there isn't one. single. kid. All adults and teenagers...I walk to the back with my two-year-old  and try to understand if I should be feeling any sort of shame. 

A middle-aged couple in front and to the side of us kept looking back and giving me glares anytime Walter made even an inkling of a peep. And the movie hadn't even started yet! I had had a hard day and all I wanted was a night out on the town with my two year old at an apparently adult movie. Why couldn't they keep their glares to themselves? And this isn't Broadway! You didn't just pay $80 for your tickets. This is a Disney Film. 

Oh well. The movie started and Walter was in a trance! He loved it and so did I! In fact, he did better in "Maleficent" than he did in "How to Train Your Dragon 2." Maleficent was an amazing character. We fell in love. And it was totally appropriate for children! Lots of great things to talk about and nothing too scary. I could go on and on about how much we loved that movie...

A couple days later we head to Cherry Hill. I say, "Walter, let's do the Dragon Slide. Let's be brave like Maleficent."  I don't know if "brave" is necessarily the right adjective for Maleficent, but it worked. And also that Carter was going. 

We sat on the slide and I could feel how tense he was. "Let's be Maleficent, Walter." And we pushed off.

He started to calm down and even let a couple of "Woo hoo's" out. Then out of no where he started screaming, "I'M MALEFICENT! I'M MALEFICENT!" We got to the bottom and he looked at me, "More again! More, again!"

Since then, "Dragon Slide" has been his favorite! He can hardly stand being in "Pirates' Cove" for more than 10 minutes, but he could do "Dragon Slide" all day long. And every single time we go down together, he reminds himself of how brave he is by screaming, "I'M MALEFICENT!"

I love his face in this one.

 He has to wear this diaper cover so he doesn't poop in the pool. It's HUGE. I could wear it.

 My best friend cousin, Jessica and her baby, Brigham. I hate it when family lives far away.

My brave boy.

Stout Camp 2014

In May we went for an over-nighter up at Camp Zarahemla in Morgan to celebrate the 100 year birthday of Levi's grandpa, Woody Stout. It was beautiful up there. I was ready to pack our things and move up permanently! On Friday night we made a big campfire to sit around. Walter refused to sleep, so we got to sit up with the adults for a while. After that we went into our cabin and slept pretty well!

This huge family tree was made so everyone could see all the descendants of Weeze and Woody.

 Cute cousins

 The favorite toy was a flyswatter.

 All of the cousins had fun playing hide and seek with the flyswatters.

 Jolene spent hours and hours making a memorial video of her dad's life. He was quite the inspiring man. 

I was very grateful for the older cousins! They are always so good about stepping in and helping/playing with the younger kids. Here's a picture of Sadie holding Walter during the movie.

 And one of Jaxon helping Walter in the bounce house. 

On Saturday morning we were in charge of breakfast.

 It was rainy on Saturday, so we were grateful for the lodge! The kids spent a large part of the day doing arts and crafts. 

Here is the rock painting station.

 And the coloring station

 Levi manned the station where they could glue pipe cleaners on their rocks to turn them into bugs. 

Here are the bugs we made

 3 pinatas were brought up! Each age group got a turn whacking a different pinata. But each time they broke and the older kids had most of the candy picked up before Walter could even get out of his seat. He was devastated. Luckily, Aunt Lizzie saw and gave him a handful out of the candy bag. 

In the afternoon, there was a talent show. One thing I love about this family is that no one is bashful about his or her talents. They love to share. Almost every family member participated. It was really fun.

Here's a link if you want to watch the songs Levi, Woody, and Logan performed. 

 Later that day (Saturday) the sun came up and the missionaries brought out a jumbo water slide! I was still too cold to ride on it, but Walter and Levi loved it.

"We're the kids of Weeze and Woody" and "The Stout Camp" song were a lot of fun to learn! Walter still sings them!

It was a fun weekend filled with great food, family, and playing!