First Family Vacation

We took our first family vacation this week.  We spent two nights at the Retreat at Sky Ridge in Eureka Springs.  It was wonderful; a nice break from the routine and very relaxing.  By very relaxing, I mean as relaxing as a vacation gets with two 11 month olds. We didn't really get out to see the town; a couple stops at the grocery store, a quick drive through the old town when it was too hot outside to stroll, and a failed attempt to eat out at restaurants that were closed when we went was all we experienced of Eureka Springs.  There were times where the girls were both screaming and Kevin and I took out our frustration out by snapping at each other.  But there were also wonderful moments where the four of us were happy and at peace. 

The first thing we did on arrival was set up a baby proof area for the girls.  I'm so glad we brought the superyard.  We were able to enclose a large area on the rug so they didn't hurt themselves as much falling when they try to stand.  They loved the feel of the wood floor though and both ended up lying on the strip of it next to the couch at one point, smacking it with their hands.

As you can see, we were really roughing it.  The cabin had central air and heat, a nice little kitchen with everything we needed (although we avoided using the one frying pan because it was in sorry shape with its Teflon coating flaking off).  There was also a jacuzzi hot tub in the bathroom.  What a romantic, warm and relaxing soak Kevin and I could have had if we had come here before babies.  But instead we had a lot of fun turning into a swimming pool for the girls.  We filled it up a couple of inches more than their usual bath level.  They were splashing and pulling themselves up to look over the edge at the surrounding mirrors and crawling around through the water.  It was so cute to watch naked babies having fun.  I took pictures but I think I'll draw a line at posting nude photos of the girls for all the world to see.  I'm sure they will thank me later.

Probably the nicest part of the cabin was the porch swing.  The porch remained shaded and relatively cool with a nice breeze even during the warmest part of the day.  We spent time swinging with the girls on it, which they thought was great.  Once they were napping or in bed for the night we got to relax swinging back and forth and listening to the rustling leaves of the surrounding trees.

 

We went fishing at a little stocked pond on the property.  Our dog, Anna, enjoyed the walk down and even got her feet wet chasing insects around the pond.  There was a small dock to fish off of.  We didn't catch anything but it gave the girls a chance to sport their new shades.

Anna loved the trip.  The Retreat is very pet friendly; a horse and ducks roam free around the office.  They left a bag of treats in the cabin especially for Anna.  She had so much fun running around, chasing butterflies and sniffing all the new things.  It's a great life for a dog. 

The girls are growing so big.  Although there were a lot of moments on this trip when we wish we hadn't come, I'm very glad we did go.  We have a few good pictures and a lot of great memories with our babies while they are still babies.