I can say this trip was amazing! With the weather forecast as it was with a lot of the snow in the forecast, I am so happy we were still able to go.

Brad (Indyguy4KI) and his son Korbin picked Katie and I up about 12:20 pm. As we headed out, the roads had been cleared pretty well.

Well, that was until we hit the Ohio state line. We were greater by lots of slow drivers. I don't know why Ohio just has really slow drivers, but do y'all know where the gas pedal is?! We saw many slide offs, mostly headed west, a lot of traffic jams west bound.

We approach the Fairfield exit. The vehicle on front of us was driving slow. Brad decides to pass the slow driver, which lead us to fish tailing maybe a quarter mile down 275. We ended up in a ditch. Brad got us out of the ditch before I could take a pic. So on the way home, I took a pic of the ditch.

As we are in the ditch, I receive a text from MrsNoChickens (Dee) asking where we were.

I neglected to tell her the "in the ditch". I posted the additional info as we were near Kings Island.

I can say with most certainty while I do not recommend driving in such a manner, however, that was kind of fun. This could be a way cool flat ride experience if it could be replicated!

I am so thankful we did not hit anyone it anything. It could have ended very badly, but it did not.

(More to come shortly.)

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We had to drive by Kings Island. The photos are not great, snow was falling. It is great seeing how the KI skyline is changing form.

We arrived at GWL just after 2:30.

In the snow, this looks beautiful.

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I wish I had a better camera. I've been good enough to get a camera this year if anyone is trying to find the perfect gift for me!

I said that, not for just a shameless plug for a gift, but I wish I could capture the beautiful way the orange popped against the snow.

We were greeted at the door by Dee, MomofBeastie1980 (Melanie) and Malem (Matthew). Dee yelled at me because she just read the post about the ditch.

I did not get many pics while at the water park portion of the evening. It is truly a beautiful facility with so much to do. I now understand why people go there.

I learned that some people are stingy when it comes to pizza sharing. "Connor, Devan Lindz, no touch". This only begs for someone to touchy.

We go down to the lobby to see Santa. The decor for the holidays is beautiful. I should have recorded the singing trees. I know people love them.

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Brad, Korbin, Melanie, Melissa, Katie and I got our pic with Santa and Mrs Claus. Mrs. Claus is very funny. She asked me if I have been good or bad this year. I told her bad, she responded, "you are my kind of girl". I guess getting a camera for Christmas is out of the question.

They had printed off a pic for each family in the pic, for free. They had free hot chocolate and cookies and face painting.

Katie has a unibrow!

Much better.

Katie's letter to Santa:

Most of our group broke up, many went to the water park, some to story time (pics and video I hope will be posted!) Rick (NoChicken), Dee, Lindzey, Connor and I hung out in one of the rooms. Lindzey was quite studious and did home work.

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We met back in one of the rooms about 10:00 and played trivia games. Rick won. I won't say how well others did.

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Once the party broke up, we went to our rooms. Korbin went to bed first. Brad and Katie fell asleep next. Melanie, Melissa and I talked until at least 3:30 in the morning. It is amazing to just have met people face to face once (in my circumstance), yet feel like I have known some for so much longer.

Korbin talks in his sleep, Brad snores-LOUDLY. If I was not so tired, I would have gone up to the loft and use my decibel reader on my phone to see how loud he is.

We get up before 9:00. Most if our room ended up eating in our room. The sun was out, so I was able to take better pics.

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We went to the waterpark and many went to the slides, Katie, Korbin and I hit the lazy river first.

I wanted to hit some of the water slides and the water coaster, but I really did not want to wait in line. So Melanie and I hung out in the hot tub.

We took our group pic - can't wait to see it!

We then headed to Golden Corral where we are and ate and ate.

The white elephant gifts were great.

Lucas got exactly what he's been asking for all year long - a box of Justin Bieber and one direction posters.

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Lucy still participating in the no-sha-vember

Malem was the first one hit with a snow ball. He does not like his pic taken apparently.

Passing Dee and Rick on the way home.

I wish I could have taken more pics. This event was fun. Thank you to all who helped organize this. It was a huge success in my opinion!

Great pictures and report! It was nice seeing you!

Disclaimer: I have not, do not, and will not want a Justin Bieber or One Direction poster.

Great pictures and report! It was nice seeing you!

Disclaimer: I have not, do not, and will not want a Justin Bieber or One Direction poster.

Not "a," but dozens, on the other hand....

Their fans are never happy with A poster!

(and Lucas is probably not too happy with this poster right now!)

Great pictures and report! It was nice seeing you!

Disclaimer: I have not, do not, and will not want a Justin Bieber or One Direction poster.

You are such a great guy. It was great seeing you, too. It is only funny about the JB and 1D because of your expression in your face when you opened up that box. I really think you would have been happier had it been the storage containers.

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It was great meeting you Lora

Nice report!

Uh... what was I doing here?

Malem was the first one hit with a snow ball. He does not like his pic taken apparently.

I don't mind having my picture taken; I was (trying to) prevent documentation of the snowball onslaught.

For some reason, both Devan and Korbin thought it was hilarious to throw snow specifically at me.

Here's some of the "damage" to malem (he wiped most of it off before I could get this shot):

Also, this happened in the Fields' minivan on the way back from Golden Corral. I present ohiocolts in a mullet:

(Sorry that it's a bit blurry, it was taken in a moving vehicle.)

It was great meeting you Lora

It was great meeting you as well.

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It was a wonderful time, and hopefully something we can make an annual tradition. I'm pretty sure Mrs.NoChickens will be making, or expanding, a trip report soon.

On a side note, if anyone from room 4015 ended up with a white charger, and doesn't know what its for, it's probably ours. Can't seem to locate the charger for the tablet :-/.

While everyone's going crazy with pictures...

Top: momofbeastie1980, Mrs. Claus, Santa Claus, Lucy, DiamondAceExpress.

Bottom: ohiocolts, Beastie1980, jcgoble3.

I probably waited an hour for this.

Nice report!

Uh... what was I doing here?

Looks like you are bustin' a move and doing the Running Man.

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Your twerking.

Nice report!

Uh... what was I doing here?

That's what I am wondering.........maybe it was a good idea not to go!

Thank you for the fantastic gift, Lora! Who all helped with those?

Lora, Katie and I. Rick helped a little. Please don't mention what they were or any pics of them. Not everyone has gotten theirs. :-)

I think we should have another party like this sometime later!

I'm glad to hear you had a lot of fun! I was one of those who didn't get to go, even though my swim meet was cancelled.

Awesome report!

Your twerking.

Not only no, but HELL no.

It was a wonderful time, and hopefully something we can make an annual tradition. I'm pretty sure Mrs.NoChickens will be making, or expanding, a trip report soon.

On a side note, if anyone from room 4015 ended up with a white charger, and doesn't know what its for, it's probably ours. Can't seem to locate the charger for the tablet :-/.

There was a white charger on the TV stand across from the beds. I used it to charge my phone Friday evening before the party since I forgot my charger. I tried to figure out who it belonged to so I could ask permission, but never figured it out. Was that yours? It should have still been on the TV stand. If it was left in the room after check-out, the Lodge might have it, in which case it might be recoverable if you call them.

Sorry, tried to edit my post and it double posted?

Nice report Lora, stated working on mine yesterday and have not gotten back to it. Been very busy this week!

Nice report!

Uh... what was I doing here?

More like the Harlem Shake!

Here's some of the "damage" to malem (he wiped most of it off before I could get this shot):

Too bad Malem is so tall, you could have gotten a pic of Santa over his shoulder. That would have been awesome.

Nice report Lora, stated working on mine yesterday and have not gotten back to it. Been very busy this week!

Nice report!

<image deleted>

Uh... what was I doing here?

More like the Harlem Shake!

Awww. You edited, didn't you?

I liked it better before.

Harem Shake indeed.

Freudian slip?

Nice report Lora, stated working on mine yesterday and have not gotten back to it. Been very busy this week!

 

 

Nice report!

 

 

 

Uh... what was I doing here?

 

More like the Harlem Shake! 

Awww. You edited, didn't you?

I liked it better before.

Harem Shake indeed.

Freudian slip?

Yes I did, sorry!

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