Boyne Mountain

I frequently check out what timeshares are available through my parents and this past summer when I came across a three bedroom at The Mountain Grand at Boyne I jumped on it! We knew the weather would be hit or miss this time of year, but luckily things turned out in our favor. We packed up everything except the kitchen sink and headed out on Friday after Jacob's enrichment.

After a few stops to drop off the dog and pick up groceries we arrived about 4pm and unloaded the ridiculous amount of things we brought with us. The room is great, two stories with a cute little bunk bed kids room. Austin is learning how to do stairs here, not sure if that is a good thing or bad thing! (We did bring a gate, however). After a quick dinner of pizza we headed to the waterpark and Jacob and Brody reacted in typical fashion. Jacob was extremely cautious and I think he managed to keep his hair dry the entire time. Brody was running around like crazy, zig-zagging about as every thing he saw caught his eye and attention. He was soaked from head to toe before we could even get his robe off. I even managed to take him on one of the big waterslides but unfortunately I lost control on a crazy corner and ended up laying on my back with him laying on his back on top of me. He was having a ball up until that happened and then, not so much. He got a big gulp of water and needless to say I couldn't get him to go on it again. I barely managed to take any photos - having 3 kids means zone defense instead of man-to-man coverage and with Brody's amazing juking skills, the kids clearly had the advantage. (Thank God for lifeguards! We didn't need them, but I'm glad they are there!). The few times I did pull out the camera, the pictures didn't come out well because the kids were moving too fast! I need to hire a personal photographer to follow us around I think. Anyways, the surprise of the evening was Austin's reaction to the water. He LOVES bathtime so I thought he would be all over it but instead he preferred to be held. I think that maybe the water was just a tad cold for him. Despite staying there for 2.5 hours, Brody was NOT ready to leave. He threw another epic (naked) tantrum all the way back to the room. I can't imagine why that group didn't want to get on the elevator with us, there was plenty of room...

Saturday we had lots of visitors! Mark and Lisa and their boys came over as did my parents. Aaron, Lisa and I went skiing and snowboarding while Mark and the grandparents watched the kiddos. (Mark isn't cleared for skiing yet from the neurosurgeon). We had a great time and it was fun to be back on the slopes again! We came back to the room and had some tacos with the grandparents and then they took off. After dinner we bundled up the kiddos and took them outside for some smores at a snowy bonfire and a sleigh ride. How lucky is Jacob to get two sleigh rides in two days?? Mason and Austin both fell asleep on the ride, it was so cute! After the kids went to bed, we played some Euchre and then Mark and Aaron went out to enjoy the blizzard at the bonfire. They warmed up with a drink at the bar before coming back to the room and then Aaron and I went off to the bar to enjoy a nightcap together before calling it a night.

The Hilley family left Sunday morning and we just laid around watching football, reading, watching the crazy blowing snow and ordering room service! We hit up the waterpark once again and this time planned it so that we would stay until close thinking that Brody would be slightly more eager to leave if they shut everything off and kicked us out. Nope, he was still furious that we were leaving but at least this time he settled down by the time we reached the elevators.

Today has been another lazy day. The waterpark is closed today (and tues and weds), so we will spend our day at the indoor/outdoor pool, maybe ice skating and maybe take the boys snowboarding on the bunny hill.

Tomorrow we will head into town (weather permitting) so that I can attend a Christmas luncheon at the Church and Jacob can go to school. We'll see - we have only received about 6" here and I think the wind has died down a bit. Sounds like we received over a foot of new snow at our house so hopefully someone will take care of our driveway for us!