Great Wolf Lodge

My sister and I took her kids to Great Wolf Lodge once again this year.  They love this place -- although it can get a bit overwhelming.  This year they only spent one day in the actual water areas.  The other two days were spent playing the MagiQuest games and the spa (for Sydni) and arcade games.  Caleb hurt his toe in the lazy river -- got an ugly cut -- and he wasn't in the mood to swim any more after that and neither were the other two so we ended up cutting our trip short and heading home.  We'll do it again next year.  Or maybe later this year.

NASCAR in Charlotte

We had the opportunity to put our nonprofit name and logo on a NASCAR for the Nationwide race in Charlotte in May and since I set it up, I was able to go to the race to represent the organization and record it.  This was quite an experience.  I've been to races before and even in the pits but never in the garage area and not sitting on a frickin pit box for the race!  It was a once in a lifetime experience and one I cherish. 

The week started with my going to the Hendrick tweet-up.  I didn't even realize how serious everyone took Speed Weeks leading up to the Charlotte race and was pleasantly surprised by all the activities taking place in the area. 

On Thursday I went to watch them practice and was able to take lots of pictures in the garage area.  I saw so many drivers and tried to get as many of their pictures as possible.  Of course, the one person I wanted to take a picture of, Dale Jr., was the only driver whose picture turned out blurry.

Friday I was able to drive to Mooresville and go to Dale Earnhardt Sr.'s shop as well as Jr.'s and Kasey Kahne's shops.  The small town of Mooresville was so darn cute!

Saturday was the race and we got to stand on pit row and stand with Kenny Wallace and his family for the singing of the national anthem.  That was surreal -- you see it on tv all the time but I never in my wildest dreams thought I would ever be able to stand there and act like I was part of the team. 

We then went to the pit area and got to sit on the pit box with his wife Kim and listen in on the radio.  SO. MUCH. FUN!!!

Sunday I didn't go to the race because I just could not handle the crowd -- and my boss/friend bailed on me so I also didn't want to go alone.  But, I was able to go to the NASCAR Hall of Fame and was absolutely thrilled with everything they had there.  I can't wait to take my dad and the kids to see it next year.  Amazing.

All in all it was a great trip.