Newport Fall 2008

We have returned from our fall trip to Newport. It was nice but I think I could have used another day. We filled our time well which didn't leave much left to relax, but the kids had fun as we achieved all three of the requested activities: Zoo, Disneyland and Beach.
The weather was unseasonably warm for this time of year, which is nice when you are staying on the coast...but it's noticeable when you head inland to the attractions. It was HOT. But other than that, the timing was perfect. I'll keep this update simple and not bore most of you with lengthy personal details.



The Zoo consisted of: Nice walks through tall, shaded trees and seeing the animals. The twins got excited by a lot of them, especially Luke, my little plastic animal fan. Elliet was the most eager to see the Lions and still talks about how "the Lions were my favorite because his mouth is really cool". She has now changed her Halloween costume idea from a fairy (farea?) to a Lion. Scott also got some giggles out of the shameless Zebra anatomy. Nice. It was funny to hear the conclusions the kids would make about the animals behavior, like how the crocodile that wouldn't move was fake, how the monkey pacing back and forth was thinking, or the python in the bucket of water was taking a bath, etc. So cute. They were troopers and we had fun.

Disneyland consisted of: fun/scarred memories. You know why? Because this year the twins were just over 40". That means they could ride everything except Indianna Jones. WWGPD? (good parents) They would ease the froggies from temperate to boiling water. Are we GP? No! We throw them right into the deep end. So to the deep end we went! We hit the Matterhorn first, a ride they liked last time. This time they said it was a little scary. What's that you say? You're breaking up... I'm going through a tunnel. Oh, we went to all the fun rides they wanted, but then we'd enter a line for something fast. I paid for it at Splash Mountain because right as we entered the log for our turn, Luke tells me he really has to go to the bathroom (you men and the sound of water!!!!). Well, he didn't make it so it he became 'splash pants'. Good times. But wow! I forgot how great some of those rides were. Splash mountain is sweet and Space Mountain was fabulous! And that, I must say, scared Elliet and Luke but Sadie was sitting next to me laughing her guts out the whole time. What a fun sound to hear. That's my girl. The grilled kebabs and veggies by Indy is a great lunch to be had and I still love how the kids are satisfied with a small lollipop for a souvenier.



The beach consisted of: collecting seashells, watching the kids brave the maybe 65 degree water (brrrr), make sand castles and have the tide surprise them and wash our work away....time stands still for some reason. This is when the heat was good. I liked not being cold.
Anyway, great trip for all.

**Added bonuses: Frozen bananas at Jane's (Scott got more giggles), Rogers Gardens AMAZING Halloween section (Thanks MJ!), swimming and hot tubbing at night, trail running and sleeping in.