Double JJ Ranch

For our first family vacation of the summer we went to Double JJ Ranch for a few days.  It is a combo ranch and resort with a water park.  Both kids did very well, and we all had fun.

We left Monday after lunch.  When we got there we checked into our log home looked around, visited the animals, saw some horse jumping and played on the little playground.  We went out for dinner (they have several restaurants there).  And then relaxed and got settled.  The night was a bit interesting.  This was our first trip with Rebecca not in the pack 'n' play.  We put her in her sleeping bag on a bed.  In the middle of the night we heard a big thud...she had fallen off the bed (thankfully unharmed!).  So we had to make a new bed for her on the floor with blankets and pillows.  And Daddy had to lay with her for about an hour before she finally fell asleep.  Abram slept in the pnp for the first time since he was about a week old...and did very well!

Tuesday morning Rebecca went on a "pony" ride.  Mommy and Abram had to miss it because he was hungry.  She had fun, but it was a big horse ride for a little girl.  Thankfully she held on tight!  After a little more time outside we put on our swimming gear and went to the indoor water park.  They have a good kiddie area.  Rebecca had a blast.  By the end she was getting pretty brave and would jump into the water towards Daddy.  Abram wasn't quite sure what to think.  He just looked around and was as quiet as a mouse the whole time.  He seemed to enjoy getting a little wet.  Justin got to try a few water slides.  We went back to our cabin for a quick lunch and headed back out for balloon animals and face painting.  Then we tried the outdoor pools.  Rebecca really liked those.  They have one just for kids that is only 1ft. 6 in. deep.  So she played in there for quite a while.  Mommy waded while Abram slept in the Moby.  Daddy got to try another water slide (that goes through a barn!) and go in the big pool.  After getting changed we hit the ice cream parlor for a little snack.  Rebecca chose bear claw ice cream.  As you can see from the photo she thoroughly enjoyed it :)  After ice cream we went to the craft barn, stopping to put Daddy in jail.  They have all sorts of crafts for little kids.  Rebecca did the sand art and filled a little ducky necklace.  By then it was about 4pm.  Rebecca was so tired that her eyes were closing as we walked back to the cabin.  But in typical Rebecca fashion she fought the fatigue tooth and nail.  She laid on a bed while Daddy read to her for quite a while...but would not sleep.  After quiet time we went out for dinner.  Then it was time to clean up/pack a few things and get to bed...early :P  It didn't take Rebecca long to fall asleep that night!

Wednesday morning we packed everything and checked out of our cabin.  Then we went to the water park again for a couple hours.  Rebecca had another fun time in the water.  Abram slept most of the time :P  Then we got dressed and headed to Silver Lake State Park for a picnic lunch.  It was VERY windy there.  So it was a bit chilly and hard to keep things from flying away.  But it was still fun.  Then it was time to head home.  We drove home at nap time.  Rebecca kept herself going for a while, but finally crashed part way home.  She was so worn out and still really tired when we got home.  She spent a while relaxing on the couch.

We all had a great time at Double JJ.  It would be fun to go back some day when the kids are older so we can do more of the activities, including riding horses.  They have a really nice camping area that could be fun.  Or the log homes are really nice (where we stayed).  And they are set up in small groups. It would be a fun place to go with all the kids/cousins.  The food at Double JJ leaves a lot to be desired.  You can read my review on my food blog.  But other than that it was a great trip!!  There are lots of pics in the album.  It was tough to take pics with our little camera in the water park, so they didn't turn out that well.  But you can get an idea of what it's like.