Labor Day Weekend at Arnolds Park

 The first ride on the boats (looks like they are really hating it!)

 Slightly different sitting arrangement but ride #2

 Carousel

 Owen loved the horses!

 Ice cream break!

 Yes, that's my husband and daughter up high on that scary ride that goes upside down that I wouldn't get anywhere near!  Ava loved it and they went a second time!  Crazy!!

 Bumper cars!

 The fish!

 I think they went about 3x on this ride!

 The dragons - another 3x!

 The kiddie coaster- the only ride Owen didn't like.  

At 5:00 pm after a couple meltdowns, he finally fell asleep after being in the stroller about 15 seconds while Daddy & Ava were in the tipsy house.

Brad had the great idea of taking the kids down to Spirit Lake on Saturday.  We haven't been there yet this summer, and we really like Arnolds Park for the kids because it never seems to be overly busy.  There were a few more people there than when we go on an off weekend, but it wasn't bad.  No lines for most rides. The kids really seemed to enjoy it this year!  Ava & Owen rode all the kiddie rides many, many times.  We usually had to pull Owen off crying when it was time to get off and move to another ride.  He really liked the boats, fish, and carousel.  Ava loved every ride!  She wasn't scared of anything.  She rode all the kiddie rides with Owen and was a wonderful sport when Owen wanted to ride many times in a row (and she was ready to get off).  She also rode nearly every other ride including the big ferris wheel and the ferris wheel like thing with the cages that goes upside down.  She went on the log ride several times.  I bought one ride and went on the log ride with her, otherwise Brad had a day pass and did all the riding. It was a very fun day filled with ice cream, smiles, and fun!  We even hit the Taco House for supper with our very tired kids.  Owen learned a new word on this trip "boat" which he says very plainly.  He had many boats to look at and point at!  Overall, Owen was a good sport through his nap until the very end before he finally sacked out!  We were glad he got a little nap, but he was a bear when he woke up!  The joys of traveling with toddlers!!  All in all, a fun day!!