April 29, 2017 was the day we left on our much-anticipated trip to Great Wolf Lodge with Macy and Evan.  It took about an hour and a half to drive to Grand Mound from Lake Oswego and we stopped for lunch along the way. 

We checked in and got our I.D. bracelets.  Luckily, our room was ready so the kids could get changed there and we headed for the water park. 

The wave pool was the overwhelming favorite for the kids.  They also tried the water basketball, the lily pond walk, the smallest slide (very small) and various showers and waterfalls.  In spite of all the big talk, neither tried the big water slides.  Grandpa Gaggy and I were fine with that.  Easier on our hearts.

After several hours, we went back to our room to change into dry things for dinner at Denny's.  This was a great hit with the kids who got spaghetti with a side of grapes and mac and cheese with a side of broccoli.  The adults got salads.

The room was set up so that the kids had a separated area called the Wolf Den.  Macy graciously let Evan have the top bunk.  They had their own TV in there, as well but were only in the room to watch it for a few minutes.  Macy immediately dropped the remote between the headboard and the wall and then dropped the hanger she was using to try to get it out, plus a nightlight.  We called Maintenance and the guy had to come and take the bed apart to get to the lost items.  While he was under there he also found a treasure trove of formerly lost items, including another remote, three sets of wolf ears, towels, candy wrappers, etc.

Great Wolf Lodge had many activities but our kids only wanted to swim.  For an extra charge they could have had magic wands that lead them around the place to electronically find treasures, fight dragons and get clues.  Happily, they were not interested because we would not have been comfortable just turning them loose, however lots of kids were participating.

Thank goodness, GWL had its own Starbucks in the lobby.  No other explanation necessary.

After dinner, we went back to the water park (indoors, by the way) so the kids could wear themselves out for another couple of hours.  When we went back to the room, they got into the bunk bed and passed out.

On Sunday morning we got up and went back to Denny's for breakfast.  This Denny's is in the same complex as the Centralia Outlet Mall, but I restrained myself and we were back in the water in no time.

After two more hours, the kids had had enough, so we packed up, checked out, got some lunch and headed south to Portland.

Here is my favorite picture of our adventure.