adventureland 2012

We got lucky . . . several weeks ago we picked a somewhat random date in July to meet up with our friends, the Skeltons, at Adventureland in Des Moines.  Considering it's been really hot for the last few weeks, we were pleased that the date we'd picked (Thursday) ended up being almost perfect for a day at the amusement park (it was sunny and mid-80s with a nice breeze).  

I wasn't sure if Braden remembered much about our trip to Adventureland last year with Grandpa and Grandma Miller, so we looked back at pictures from that trip on Wednesday night -- so B was pumped and ready to go on Thursday morning.  We decided that it would probably be most enjoyable for everyone involved for Elise to hang out at home with Grandma for the day (though she is really tolerant/laid back about going most everywhere we go) - especially if it were to get super hot.

Sooooo - Braden, Billy and I set out for Adventureland early yesterday morning so that we could meet up with Skeltons right when the park opened.  Braden was so excited and was anxious to get there and was looking forward to riding the train right away.  It was with great disappointment that we learned the train was not operating right away, so we had to lure him into the park by promising to ride the train later.  At first he wasn't sure about riding other rides (he was sort of "stuck" on the idea of riding the train), but we then we found the trucks, which he remembered from our last trip . . .

 Next up - bumper cars -- he B LOVED them.

The Skelton girls are Adventureland "pros" -- they live in Des Moines and have season passes, and have ridden most of the rides.  Braden wanted to ride what they were riding, and worked up the courage to ride some "bigger" rides this year.  He eagerly got on the Frog Hopper . . .

  . . . but soon found out it was a bit more of a thrill than he'd anticipated. :)  He held it together, though, and didn't cry. He said, "The Frog Hopper is kind of scary, Mom."

The log ride was next up - we happened to see that the line was really short because it had been closed for a brief repair, so we only had to wait about 10 minutes (actually, that's about the longest we had to wait all day - it was a great day!) . . .

 Look - there it is!

Hmmm . . . I think I want to ride this?!

 Skeltons in a log! ;)

Never fear . . . we didn't take pictures of every ride :) . . . but here's a few more . . .


Addie and Braden at Infant Ocean

Lady Luck!  I braved this one so that B could try it (not that it's so scary, but rather it's the round and round that sometimes makes me sick -- Billy is not a fan of round rides either) . . . again Braden said it was scary, but fun.

Of course our little train fanatic noticed right away when the train was up and running - so we had to ride it right away!

Monkeys waiting in line . . . (that's the fun of going to a park with friends - you have fun waiting together in the lines and on the rides!)

 Grace, Braden, Sydney

 Addie

Amy and I rode one of our favorites - the Space Shot. It had been awhile since I'd gotten to ride it (last year I was pregnant with E, so had to sit out of most of the bigger rides).  It was especially terrifying the first time, because I was certain that my seatbelt wasn't properly latched and that I was going to end up shooting off into the air . . 

After lunch and more rides, we decided to check out the waterpark section of the park. Last year when we went, it was sooooo hot and crowded (and it was naptime for B) and we didn't have the best experience.  This year, the waterpark had been expanded and was far less crowded, B was older and used to skipping naps occasionally, and was also taller and able to go on more of the waterslides -- and it was lots of fun!

We loved the new wave pool - Braden was a huge fan and loved jumping in the big waves!

More slides . . . (Billy and I could go down these too, in fact, I liked the kiddie slides almost as well as the bigger ones for adults) -- I thought they might be too scary/fast for B - but he loved them all).

Whew - what a fun day! After the waterpark we parted ways with Skeltons, changed into dry clothes and rode a few more rides before luring Braden out of the park ar 7:30 with the promise of pizza for supper.  He was asleep soon after we left Altoona . . . but first thing this morning asked if we could go back to Adventureland today. :)  I'm sure we'll make it an annual trip for the next several years!