Eli & Cole - two boys, one big adventure: PA Vacay

Thursday: Today was Hershey Park Day 2 for us! Grandma & Grandpa went back to explore more of Amish Country and we went back to Hershey to explore more of the park and to go to the Water Park. Our plan was to ride rides in the morning, head out for a picnic lunch and then do the water park in the afternoon. The bummer thing was that the water park was ALL the way in the back of the park and made for a long walk in toting your stuff. Too bad there's not a back entrance that is water park only!

We had another awesome day. Both boys have totally gotten into riding the rides. They both wanted to ride whatever they were tall enough to ride and would stop as we walked by. They talked about what they did on Tuesday and what they wanted to do again. We did some new stuff too. After lunch we had to make another trip through the Chocolate Factory - for a break and to cool off - and this time we got some yummy ice cream. Then it was an afternoon at the Water Park. We also stopped back in the Chocolate Factory on the way out to buy chocolate for Cole's teachers to take back with us. The boys picked out a small bucket for themselves. Somehow we managed not to take back 50 pounds of chocolate and didn't eat too much.....yet! I definitely see us coming back to Hershey Park in the not so distant future. One of my favorite amusement parks to date!! Will have to come back when Eli is big enough for the big coasters and maybe Cole will get to do his first loop coaster.

Playing a baseball game with fire starter wood and hickory nuts

Reese and Hershey strapped in, ready to go back

These two had so much fun together. I'm so happy they get along and are best buds.

We took a nice ride on the monorail.

Got to see Hershey street lights.

Oh yes, this is one of the coasters that Grandma & I rode on Tuesday. You literally go straight up, can see nothing but sky and then whoop, fast back down. It was crazy!

My coaster boy - waiting in line for the big wooden coaster.

View from the ferris wheel.

The whole yellow coaster.

Water park view from the ferris wheel. See that purple waterside on the left side of the picture? Cole went down that. By himself!! He & I waited in line thinking we could do it together. When it was finally our turn, they said we couldn't. So instead of walking back down, Cole said he'd go by himself. I looked over and saw him come out of the tube. I thought he was crying and upset. Then it was my turn. Oh my goodness! It was SO dark in there. And when you finally came out into the water pool at the end, you were going really fast. Tim was at the bottom and apparently Cole was all jazzed when he came out and said "THAT WAS AWESOME!!". So proud of my brave, adrenalin junkie little boy. =)

Finally found Mr. Reese

We let them play a Plinko type game to win a prize.

They both ended up with little Reese dudes. And were proud because they won them themselves.

Water park after lunch. Eli and Cole loved this sandcastle water area. They played in the other places but this one held their attention the longest. They loved sliding down the slides on their knees.

It's so fun Mom!! We don't want to leave.

Eli and Cole were NON-STOP for hours at the water park. But when it came time to walk back to the truck, Cole's legs stopped working literally just as we started walking.

And I love this picture. It reminds me of those "They're just like us" celebrity pictures. Tim hauled Cole for just a little bit until his legs would work again. Funny how kids have all the energy in the world for that THEY want to do but none when they need to do something.

As we were leaving, we came upon some more of the Hershey characters dancing in the street. We walked them and then got pictures with them. Here....Mr. Milk Dud.

Peppermint Pattie

Rolo.....YUM

NutRageous - love how he propped his hand on Cole's head

As we were exploring in Chocolate World, we found Mr. Jolly Rancher. The boys were super excited because we'd almost seen all the characters. I think the only one we missed was the Twizzler.