Great Escape

Red Team Embarks for The Great Escape.  Here are this years family members that were able to make it:
                                                          The Red Team

                                 


The Red Team embarked for a grand day in Lake George, New York.  Great Escape was our destination for smiles, laughter, and a good getaway.  Michael learned the days of the week song so that he could count down to our trip.  He would squeeze his eyes shut and jump up and down and say how excited he was to go.

On the morning he was up early and bright eyed.  We went to the rendez-vous with all the other red team members.  There were eighteen this year, two couldn't make it.  Here is Sammy, Brigitte, and Michael.

Here is some of the group.  We all wear red so we can find each other through out the park.  All day long

Michael would spot someone and yell, "Red Team!"

Just about to go into the park.  Here is Michael with Daddy and Mimi and Pa.  Mimi and Pa buy everyone's ticket to get into the park so we can spend a family day all together.  They are pretty remarkable and so fun. Mimi loves the rides and you can always talk her into going on the Scrambler, the Swings,  or the Hot Air Balloons.  Anything that spins and spins.

Pa on the other hand does not like to go on the spinning rides but tempted fate and went onto the Hot Air Balloon Ride with Mimi.  Uh-oh.

Poor Pa.  The others had fun, even Michael.

                                                         They had much more fun than Pa.

The Cars was a fun ride for a lot of the Red Team.  Two by Two clamored into cars and whisked back

to carefree memories of  before when they climbed into these same cars a bit younger.

First Nick and not pictured, Nora took to the road.

                                       Next Jim and Michael revved up with Michael steering the way.

                                           Becky and Bonnie went next, with whoops and giggles.

                                                  Nick and Nora rounded another corner

                                             just as Beth, a non-driver, and Dave along for the ride started out.  Just look
                                          at that gleeful anticipation here!

                                          Michael and Jim turned a corner just as Beth and Dave started out.

                                         The girls raced up the hill, laughing, sharing a twin moment.

Michael exiting the cars, he had so much fun.

Michael and Nora raced to the top of the M&M bridge.  Every step was joyful and light-hearted.

                                     They waited at the top for the rest of the Red Team to meet them.

After a wagon ride the first place to visit was a walk with Cinderella for Michael and Nora.

A father and son moment.

                                                      Sam and his Dad, Chris hanging out.

Some of the Red Team went for rides on the Swan Boats.  

Michael was excited to be in the boat and to see all the sights, the ducks, and the rides we passed.

Nora leaned over on her side and watched the lily pads floating and the ducks swimming.

Mimi and Pa sat behind Sammy and Nick and enjoyed the ride.

Up ahead came another boat filled with Red Team Members.

                                          Michael shouted, "Red Team!"  And we all waved and snapped
                                         pics of each other.

                                                 The original name of the park.

On to the Western Town Michael and Nora decided to play in the coffins out front.

                                             They were trying hard not to laugh as we snapped their pictures.

Uncle Jim got in the action with Nora.

After we all got in line and went on the log ride.  Most of us went on the log ride while some others, Becky, gave the kids, Sam and Nora, money to get us wet while we raced down the steep hill.  Thanks!

The teenagers had all gone off to do what teenagers do...scary rides, flirting, and enjoying the scenery....

so while the teens were off we red-teamed our way to Loony Toon Land so the young'uns could ride

more rides.

There were boat rides,

                                                   shouts of "Red Team!"

                                               And train rides.

                                          Michael really liked the train rides.

After a picnic on a nice green field by our parked cars, another walk  back to the park, and then swimming and playing at the water park, we went on more rides and the girls decided to do some dancing.

Must make a note that the three hours we were at the water park Andrew spent the whole time in a relaxed state of bliss on the Lazy River.  In fact we had to find him to tell him it was actually time to get out for that part of the park wasn't gonna be open much longer.  I think that was his high point of the trip.

Red Team!

                                                       
                                                          Michael and Sammy on the Convoy

                                            Michael ran right up to Scooby-Doo and hugged him.

                                                Michael with me as we waited for some Red Team to finish
                                          their ride on the raging river.

                                              Pa spending a quiet time with Michael.

                                         
                                           Jim and Michael on the airplane.

And Nick and the girls dancing with Mr. Six to the YMCA song while Andy grins and watches.

                                                          Mr. Six

Even Nora and Brigitte got in on the dancing.

We took Nora and Michael through Alice in Wonderland, which will always

be remembered as Beth's special childhood memory.   She always thought

of it as Allison Wonderland.

                                                Pa told Michael the story of the Cheshire Cat

                                          and how it can disappear.

                                           And how Michael's Daddy was Tweedle Dum in a play.

Technology break for Will

                                                          Brothers hanging out, nice pics.

                                                                 
                                                              Bonnie and Joel

                                                   
                                                          Love, Love, Love this one.

                                                          Me and my honey.

                                                     

                                                       
                                          Michael had fun in the little houses, pretending.

                                         

                                          Sammy playing in the houses.

                                            Michael in the pumpkin house.

                                                Nora and Michael and Sammy in the Cobbler's house.

                                                Michael reading Jack and the Beanstalk.

                                            Nora pretending she had thrown the magic beans and
                                          now discovered the beanstalk.  She will do well in Drama.

 Soon after the Red Team left for The Golden Corral and had a final meal together.  Most were spent
from the day but some after the cotton candy and chocolate bar were raring to go again.


Michael spent some time remembering what he did to his Mimi.  And he is still talking about it.

Red Team Day is a special day where family gets together and we can all forget worries and fears, and woes and  live in the moment of make believe and laughter.  Thank you Mimi and Pa, we love spending the time with you.