Oglebay for the Fourth of July

We had an amazing time at Oglebay for the Fourth of July.  I think we'll make it a family tradition!  First, we went on a fossil geocaching hunt. Paul loved using the GPS and searching for fossils.  Joy wasn't into listening to the instructions and learning about the fossils, but Paul really liked it.  The trail was pretty muddy and it was a little more adventure than we were expecting, but we handled it like pros.  Joy rode on my back of course.  After it was over, we went to see the waterfall, then came back to environmental center to dig in sand for their very own fossils.

 Look, I found a fossil!

Then, we got to visit the dinosaur exhibit.  The last time we were there, there were dinosaur eggs.  This time there were baby triceratops that moved and made cute noises.  Paul and Joy really liked them.  

They roared to try to scare the big dinosaurs.

 More digging for fossils

Finally, before we left, we got to see the baby T-Rex!  Also, while we were at the zoo, the zookeepers were taking the lamas for a walk.  Joy enjoyed petting them.  Paul and Shawn stayed far away!

While Daddy put Joy down for a nap, Paul and I had lots of fun riding the paddle boats and the aquacycle for the first time.  

and playing on the playground.After a dinner of room service, we went to the kids "Pirate Party" in the hotel.  They made a craft, searched through the hotel on a Treasure Hunt and had a snack.  It was cute and the kids had fun.  They wanted to stay for the movie, but it was time for a bath...

Paul carried Joy into the line to collect their treasure.

A bath in the super giant tub-pool!  They swam in the tub for about a half hour!

 Not pictured is the fireworks.  Joy was terrified and miserable; she finally sat on my lap on the couch and watched them out the window, but that was after screaming through about the first 10 minutes of them.  Paul was a little nervous at first, but then he really loved them.  We enjoyed a free buffet breakfast in the morning.

Then it was time for the indoor pool, which was great fun.

We had to try out every Cracker Barrel chair before we left.

I was trying to get Joy to look at me for a picture and I said, "Show me your eyeballs."  She pointed to her eyeballs.

We played at the park, bounced in the inflatable things they had for the 4th festivities, and shopped at the sweet shop before we came home.  Boy am I tired!!!!