Busch Gardens!

Several years ago, Jason, Jenn, Mick and I went to Busch Gardens in Williamsburg, VA around Halloween and had so much fun that we have always talked about going back.

 

This year seemed like the perfect time, so we planned the trip and did it!  Jenn found a house for us to rent in Virginia Beach, and we invited Julie, Rob, Stacy and Zachary too.  It was a total of seven of us with the four kids, so the house was the best way to go so everyone had plenty of space, but we could all stay together.

 

We went up on Thursday and spent a little while on the beach--it was breezy and a little chilly, but not to cold for Em and Cody to play in the water!

Friday morning we got up and headed to Busch Gardens.  It was about an hour drive from the house we stayed in, and we got there just after it opened.  Of course there are tons of adult rides and roller coasters, but there were just as many for the kids, and it was so much fun.

In the Sesame Street area, we thought Em would want to meet some of the characters, but she changed her mind at the last minute.  She's very shy around big furry creatures :).

But she rode the Whirly Worm twice, and loved it!

Zachary was very patient with the younger kids, and Cody and Emily did a pretty good job of keeping up with him all day!

They rode some of the smaller stuff together while Zachary rode some of the bigger rides.

The carousel is always a favorite, and there was a horse to pose on outside, which Em obviously took advantage of :).

There were a few rides that all three kids could get on together,

and there were plenty of animals to see--birds, wolves, and even a show with pet tricks!

I loved all the rides that were perfect for the kids to ride by themselves--Em loved the independence.

But she also enjoyed the bigger stuff that some of the adults went on with her--you can hardly even see her over the restraint in this one!

On Saturday, we played mini golf, walked to some shops at the beach, and ate a huge seafood dinner before heading back to the house.

Sunday, we all headed home--Julie, Rob and Stacy had flights to catch, and Jason, Jenn and we had long drives ahead of us.  It was such a fun weekend, and it was so good to all spend time together--it had been way too long, and Em doesn't get to see her cousins nearly enough.  We all really enjoyed our adult time after the kids were in bed at night too--it sure makes me wish we all lived closer together!