Family STAYcation

Back in late Spring Matt and I were talking about doing something right before school starts as our last little shin-dig of summer fun.  I am SO glad we did.  It was probably one of the best 3 days I have ever had with my little family of 5.  We had an absolute blast from start to finish.  The kids were so good and were nothing but pure joy.  It was so good to get out of our day-to-day rut/routine and just play and enjoy each other.

Last year the JW Marriott opened here in San Antonio.  It was the new big thing and was all the rage.  After hearing how awesome it was from others, we knew it was a must for our family.  Matt travels off and on for work and once we decided we wanted to to stay at the JW he started only booking travel arrangements at Marriott hotels to get reward points.  It's no cheap stay by any means, so we wanted to make sure and try to get a night free!  It is only a 10-15 minute drive from our house right off the main street we live off of.  Can't beat that!  I have to say that if you want to getaway and splurge GO and STAY at JW Marriott.  We felt like we were far off on vacation.  Watch for promotions too because they are out there!

We stayed 2 nights and 3 days (a 3rd night would have been the perfect amount of time).  We got there after lunch on Thursday and did not leave until Saturday evening.  We arrived in our swimsuits and left in our swimsuits.  We packed it all in those 3 days.  We hope to make it a tradition to take a staycation every year before school starts.

I'll let the abundance of pictures speak for themselves...

Matt's 1 picture of the weekend.  A cute one tho!

My 1 picture of the weekend---The life of a photographing mommy.  Matt was off with the kids and captured a sweet mommy & Holt moment on the Lazy River.  I'm pretty smitten with this guy.

---Be still my heart---

There is a lazy river that runs around the pools and slides.  We really enjoyed that!  Holton took GOOD naps while we floated.  Matt would go off and ride water slides with Hudson and Harper and I would just float the lazy river over and over with my sleeping baby.  Pure bliss!

The life of the 3rd child---goes anywhere, sleeps anywhere.  People ask me what is his schedule like---schedule???  What schedule?  He's a go-with-the-flow kinda guy.  Doesn't have much of a choice, I guess.

Where's Holton?  I LOVE this picture.  Matt carried him off of the river and we placed him in the double tube.  He slept GOOD!

While Holton was napping in the tube, Harper took her nap as well.  Matt left with Hud to ride more slides, so I had a nice quite time all to myself.

The resort is all about families.  We participated in most of the events they offered.  They had s'mores at night, a flick and float where you watch a movie while you hang out in the pool, zoomagination (animals for Harper-girl), gummy-worm chase (a hunt for gummy worms in vanilla pudding and graham crackers)--kids LOVED that part.  The kids also loved swimming in the dark.  They thought that was SO cool.  :)

S'mores then night time swimming.

This was after the 'flick and float'.  Harper rode back in Holton's carrier...she was cold, tired, and comfy.

Harper with a giraffe and Hud with a crocodile.

Zoomagination FUN!

that sloth grossed me OUT.

"Harper what do you think about all these animals??"  Her face says it all.

Gummy-Worm chase

One day we did not leave at all.  Ate all of our meals at the resort and stayed in our swimsuits all day long.  One evening we decided to go back to our room and get ready to go out for dinner.  We went to one of our favorite Mexican restaurants here that is right up the street.  Even though we were in our stomping ground, we felt like we were on vacation.  We didn't watch the clocks at all and just did whatever we wanted.  It was great!

Oh how this picture captured the life of Holton Matthew Mullins.  He's never short on attention that's for sure! 

WORN OUT

I'M UP!  Did I miss anything?

We took an impromptu photo shoot before dinner.  I was wishing I had brought things other than play clothes because there were so many pretty spots to take pictures.  I still love the ones I caught tho!

I am slowly wrapping my mind around that this time next week I'll be setting my alarm clock for the first time in years.  That the title of 'school mom' will now be added to my resume.  We have had a wonderful, memorable summer.  I guess this next phase of my life is coming whether I am ready or not...here it comes!