Cincinnati U.S.A. 2009

Summer vacation isn't complete without a trip to an amusement park for the NaylorNutHouse! This year, we decided to take the boys on their first trip to Kings Island near Cincinnati. Matthew was so excited because it's home to "Son of Beast" (of course he's read about it in his roller coaster book). While he wasn't tall enough to ride that one (and it was closed), he was happy to learn there was another wooden coaster just his size: "The Fairly Odd Coaster" (formerly known as the Beastie).

Here he is riding it with Mommy. There was another roller coaster in the Nickelodeon-themed area called "Little Bill's Giggle Coaster." It is just like the Jr. Gemini at Cedar Point. Unfortunately, Adam wasn't quite tall enough to ride it.

Adam wasn't completely out of luck. Several rides were just his size including the Dora Train Ride and Diego's Jeeps!

Matthew and Daddy took on Plankton's Plunge (despite his worried face in the picture, he really wasn't scared)

Both boys rode Swiper's Sweeper. Adam wasn't too crazy about it. Matthew loved it. Mommy and Daddy were happy they didn't have to ride it with them!

The boys even took a spin on the Nick Jr. Drivers together.

Day 2 of our trip to Cincinnati took us to the Newport Aquarium, just across the Ohio River. I think Matthew was more excited by the fact that we were in a different state! It's fascinating to him. He's now been in four total: Ohio, Pennsylvania, Indiana, and Kentucky.

We made an effort to get there early to see the daily "march of the penguins." But they never did walk the "red carpet." Oh well! However, they did have time to strike a pose with Matthew. Adam wasn't so sure about them. He didn't get too close.

It's hard to believe the aquarium is 10 years old. It was very nice inside! And the exhibits are well designed. The boys really liked the Alligator Bayou with the glass bottom bridges. The alligators kept swimming right under our feet!

There was also a frog exhibit with some of the biggest frogs I have ever seen. Granted, they were made of fiberglass and the boys could climb all over them...

The best part of the aquarium was the shark tank!! Talk about up close and personal!! Adam wasn't afraid at all. Matthew wasn't so sure about it. He kept leaving the tunnel because "he was hungry for lunch..." hmmmmm

We also learned an easy way to get the boys to pose for pictures... just tell them to hug each other... awe!

All in all, we had a "whale of a time" in Cincinnati. Can't wait to go back!