Center Parcs - Our last vacation of the summer

To close out the summer, we decided to take the kids on their own vacation... no sight-seeing, no 1,000 year-old cathedrals, no medieval castles.  Just some fun kid stuff.  So, we tagged along with two other families and went to Center Parcs Les Trois Forêts located in Hattigny, France which is about a 2 hour and 15 minute drive from our house.  Everything you need for a fun family vacation is located in the wooded park.  It was actually nice to not have any big "must see" agenda and just enjoy ourselves. 

Our first morning and the girls see a pack of deers walk right behind our villa.  Cool!

Our villa for the weekend.  This is as close to camping as I will get!

The kids enjoyed a Kids Club the first morning.  Interestingly enough, they dressed and acted as Indians.

Indian Leena.

Indian Taryn.

Most of our gang.. Leena, Taryn, Elle, Calahan, and Addie (minus Britta who was too young for the club).

When the Kids Club was over, the kids could not make their way fast enough to the giant indoor play area located in the same building.  Here is Leena playing in the area that is meant for the smaller kids.

And this was the area for the bigger kids (it's bigger than it looks in this pic).  The kids spent hours in this place over the weekend.

The cutest sheep and goat I've ever seen!

We brought along the kids bikes and they had a blast riding their bikes from one place to the next throughout the park.  We tried unsuccessfully for 2 hours to get mine and Greg's bikes on the car before we left.  There were no cars in the park, so it was perfect!  Meanwhile, Greg and I got quite the workout speed walking every where trying to keep up!

Which way next?

Taryn cruising through the interior of the main building.  It felt as if you were walking through the rain forest.

 

The pool (Aqua Mundo) in the park was AMAZING.  This picture captures only a small piece of it.  The place was huge!  Several pools, waterslides, an awesome kids area, and our family favorite the Wild Water River.  It was like going down a white water rapids slide without the inner tube.  The adults loved it as much as the kids (probably more) despite the fact that the adults had to keep themselves and the kids from drowning while being tossed through the currents on the way down.  I have a few bruises to show for it - but well worth it!

 

After an afternoon at the water park, the three families got together for a pot-luck dinner at one of the villas.  The kids dig in!

Taryn and Britta making s'mores.

The s'more expert herself!

The whole gang.... The Knepper Family, The Tripp Family, and The Rourke Family.

Silly shot!!

Five little monkeys jumping on the bed!  Some things only happen on vacation!

On the second morning, while the kids are back in the Kids Club, the adults had some fun on the playground!

And then we took a walk through the woods (very German-like).  However, some of us were wearing flip-flops (very American-like)!

We started out walking down the horse path, but Greg quickly steered us in the right direction!  It was nice to get out of all that horse poop.  Duh!

The kids put on a circus act at the end of their morning Kids Club.  Leena, Taryn and Elle were dancers (in Chinese coats??).

 

Taryn walks the tight rope.

Leena walks the tight rope.

The entire cast.  See movie below for more of their routine.

Saddle up!  Time for a pony ride!

Taryn on her pony.

Knepper Family shot.  We could NOT get the ponies to face forward for the camera! 

An adult was required to pull the pony for each kid.  Taryn's pony had a mind of her own and she had NO desire to go for a walk.  She was hungry!

Thank goodness, Greg traded off with me and had better luck.  I was happy to pull Leena's pony who was very easy going!

Britta, Leena, Elle and Taryn on their ponies.

This was no ordinary pony ride.  We went on a 30 minute walk through the woods.  The kids loved it and I don't think I will ever get the pony poo out of my shoes (no way to avoid it!).  They will most likely be tossed!

Pulling back in to the stables.  Once again, Taryn's pony stopped for a snack.  I was still grateful to have Leena's pony!

Greg and Taryn wait their turn to go back into the stable.

Britta, Matt, Elle and Kristina enjoy the ride with us!

Knepper Family shot #2.

The kids hit the big playground.  They loved this place!

Daddy sits in for Taryn who could not provide enough weight for Leena!

A monkey in a tree.

Monkey see, monkey do!

Leena uses the hair dryers while preparing to leave the pool on day two.  In Europe, everyone leaves the pool fully clothed and with dry hair.  We try to fit in, but usually do not succeed!

The kids spent some time at the farm on our final morning.  All the kids loved this donkey.  She was so sweet and gentle.

This silly goat never got off the wall the entire time we were in the stable.

The girls feed the goats some hay.

Leena gives Britta a lift.

Mama Leena with Britta.  These two are so cute together!

Britta had fun gathering the hay for the goats!

Taryn, Leena, Britta, and Elle.

Leena used one of her shoelaces to attach the trailer to the tractor so she could pull Britta.

Leena, Britta, Taryn and Elle got the entire raceway to themselves!

One last time on the playground before we head home.

Taryn and Elle having fun!

They just laughed and laughed!

Taryn and Elle in the house with their secret admirer in tow!

Time to head home!!  What a great vacation!