Mini Vacation in Hershey

Gloria started work three weeks ago at the local Army Depot and she wanted to take another trip before she started on her job on second shift. It was also the weekend of the 25th, which is the adoption anniversary and she likes to celebrate that as well.  I had seen that a friend was staying at the Hershey Lodge and they had a water park so I showed it to Gloria.  She made the reservation and we asked Kartikey to go with us again.  This was better because it has a pool and was in the same building as the hotel so no driving into swim.  Which meant as soon as we arrived, we went to the pool. So I took the boys through the hotel maze to the pool.  I was rushing while packing and did not pack pool appropriate shoes for me so I had to wear my regular shoes (nice look with my pool skirt) all weekend! 

As usual the pool water was freezing for me but the boys thought it was just right.  My little fish was happy to be in his element.  

And with one of his besties. 

It was a very nice pool area and they had a lot of fun on the dolphins.  We stayed until closing at 10 PM.  We missed a door on the way back and had to figure out how to get back to our room!  They showered first and jammied up while I showered.  We found something on TV to watch and around 11 they were both asleep.  

We were not going to pay the really high prices for breakfast at the hotel so we drive to the Cocoa Diner which was about five minutes away.  The boys loved climbing on the snow piles, Baylor more than Kartikey.  It is just frozen water and Baylor's soul is drawn to water like a moth to a flame. 

Yummy carb loaded breakfast for a full day of swimming. We had to go to the outlets to buy Baylor underpants because even though he had them on his packing list, he forgot to pack them!  

Gloria came out to the pool for a few hours and while she spent most of the time in the hot tub or sitting in the bar area, she did get in with the boys for a bit. 

The boys really loved the Reese's Walk which I tried once and only made it to the second float.  The skinny and fast kids could run it without holding the ropes.  Most of the time the boys hopped it on their knees or walked it holding the ropes.  

We ate lunch in the pool area and when it was supper time I took the boys out for Indian food at a restaurant.  Gloria was not feeling well so she stayed in the room sleeping.  We had a nice meal together and the staff was super nice.  They had mango lassies, spicy samosas, naan, and rice.  

We did go back to the pool after dinner but they only made it until 8:30 and were tired.  We showered and changed again and settled down for the evening in our room.  It did not take long for them to fall asleep and in the morning we got ready to go home.  We stopped in Hummelstown for breakfast at a nice diner Gloria and I went to many years ago.  

They had pretty much the same thing as yesterday: Kartikey ate pancakes, Baylor had a Belgian waffle and they split a fruit cup.  They are silly and a I love to hear them giggle and play.   It was a nice little get away, about 40 minutes from home so the return trip was nice.  The dog kids were at the clubhouse until Monday after work so it was quiet without them but nice in a way too.   

February Catch Up

Baylor and his Grimm.  He loves his cat and I love him too, when he is not be a butt and peeing on a bed!! 

Jake's last sleep before we get Roxie tomorrow!! How things are going to change for him very soon.  But tonight he sleeps and dreams of bones and dog parks. 

We got her!! That is another post but for February, we got her.  

A gorgeous winter sunrise.  I think they really are prettier in the winter.  And I think because they happen later in the winter, I am more likely to see them as well.  

The orchid is finally starting to lose its flowers.  I has been blooming since the fall so I guess I cannot complain.  

Baylor and Ryder spend a lot of time together and when they are together, they like to stay up late. But neither are very good at sleeping in.  So on this quick drive to Gettysburg, they both took a nap!  

Since Gloria is still off she was able to join us and have some Lucy time on the couch, where she is not supposed to be.  But being an Aunt has it's privileges.  

We were there to celebrate Connor's birthday.  

The boys played some indoor hockey together.  

Sometimes Jake is a bad, bad boy.  Like the morning he chewed up four DVD cases.  

A rare moment when they occupy the same space.  

Playing in the snow at the Dillsburg dog park.  It was Roxie's debut with our friends. She just ran around with a ball in her mouth for the most part. 

A moment when my little one wants to be the dog in the dog bed.  

Seeing my two dogs waiting for me to come home is a most wonderful sight!! 

I bought a fasnacht mix and we had fasnachts on Fasnacht Day.  

They turned out pretty good.

Each week the orchid looks more and more sad while losing its blooms. 

Happy Valentine's Day treats for my puppies.  With sprinkles of course!  

They are almost cuddling, but not quite.  But pretty close to each other regardless.                                 

Valentine's dinner with the family at our favorite restaurant.  

Roxie got her first Bark Box and loved all her new toys.  So far she is not a toy destroyer like Jake is.  I am sure this can change!  

I helped out with the class party, which I love to do!  

Roxie is not a doll but I do like to dress her occasionally!  She looks so sweet in her scarf! 

A momentary truce, Roxie has a bone and Jake is napping near by.  Current status: not fighting 

Beautiful, sunny winter day 

Another quiet moment chewing on bones right next to each other.  It did not last long, Jake went after her bone not too long after this.  He is a bone jerk and I have to be careful with them when fresh bones are out.  They are very valuable to Jake.  

Maddie spent some time with us overnight and Sunday while her parents have an evening out together.  It was nice having her over as it has been quite a long time. 

Another afternoon at the dog park. And another muddy time. 

Jake and Roxie did play some tug together.  They do not interact much when we are out, sometimes a few rounds of tug will happen.  

Roxie has a dirty face.

Roxie has a ball. 

Both dogs had a bath when we got home and the tub was so dirty I could have planted carrots! 

But the dogs were sparkling white and glossy black afterwards.  

Mom had remembered her neighbor had bought our old red electric wok years ago and got it back from her.  Jamie just started a new job at a Chinese run college prep school and jokingly credited all out family meals made in the red wok.  She is going to give it to him when they go visit in March but we took it for a test drive first. 

Spring is coming and along with it mud season.  My back yard is a total mess right now.  Not much grass and too many bare spots usually filled with annual weeds.  It is not a good thing.  I have a plan to try to grow some grass and heal the yard but it will take several seasons to get it done.  

With early spring brings Grandma's aconites.  I love seeing them pop up everywhere.  

Not the usual temperature for February! 

Every time I get my hair cut, I go a bit shorter.  I never thought I would enjoy short hair but I am really loving it.  

Daycare photo of the day.  Roxie does play with other dogs! 

She is growing though I don't think she will get as big as Jake. Which is good because he is a big dog!! 

The garden is a dead mess but it is fun to see it this way and then look back in the mess of summer when the flowers are blooming all over the place. 

The pups keeping an eye on me outside the fence. 

The snow drops are up as well. 

Tiny pops of yellow all from a few little pieces I took from under Grandma's copper beech tree.  

We had Kartikey spend the night and we all made pizzas, which is a fun meal and can be made without meat for Kartikey.  

Kartikey likes pineapple on his and I like cilantro sour cream on my taco pizza.