Vaca '09

We finally got a vacation!!!! Yeahhhhh!!! We were having a heck of a time getting a vacation this spring-so many things kept happening to change our plans. But in the end it all worked out; we got to see Sacha, Levi, and Cohen and meet Gaige and drive over to the Tri-Cities and see Mom, Mindy, Kenny, Carlie and Adrian and meet Shamus. And we got to stay at a nice hotel, swim, and have some family time together away from home (which is always a good thing!)

We stopped in Baker City for breakfast at Sumpter Junction Restaraunt-Lola loved the train. We took a break and let her run around a little and put her in the conastoga wagon for a picture op.
The proud new parents!

Uncle Tahoe and Cousin Lola meeting Shamus for the first time.

When we got in late Thursday morning we got settled into our room and then went over to meet our new nephew and have lunch with Carlie and Adrian. We hung out until Adrian had to go to work (swing shift) and then we went over and saw Grandma Sue at her school. She gave us a tour and introduced Lola to everyone there! That night, everyone except Adrian (he was still at work) went out for Chinese dinner. It was a lot of fun and the food was good too.

Friday

Carlie and Adrian and Tahoe and I thought it would be fun to take Lola to the duck pond at the park. There are not just ducks at the pond there are lots and lots of geese and seaguls too. Lola was a bit overwhelmed at the number of birds and how close they were; she couldn't stop pointing and saying "bird, bird".
The birds love to be fed. We forgot to bring some bread with us to feed them but there was another family there with small children and they had a whole brand new loaf of bread that they shared with Tahoe and Lola.Thankfully the family had just stopped at the store and bought a brand new loaf of bread instead of some green stuff from the back of their pantry because feeding birds makes Lola hungry too!

What fun for our little family!

In the Tri-Cities there is a park that stretches for miles and miles down the river. There are tons of playgrounds and picnic spots and it is sooo pretty. After we fed the birds we drove on down the river a ways to the "Playground of Dreams". I kid you not this playground is probably twice the size of the footprint of our house! It is sooo cool! Due to the girth of my waist I played photographer and cheerleader to the rest of my family.

After the park we went out to lunch and then parted ways so everyone could take naps. When Mindy got out of school she came to the hotel and picked me up. Since we won't be able to make it to her graduation I decided the two of us should go shopping and I would buy her a dress to wear under her graduation gown. Well, after 15 dresses (at least) we did not find the perfect dress, but we did find the perfect shoes. They are pink on pink patent leather with four inch heels and peep toes. We also found a way cool coordinating necklace. I wish I had taken a picture to show you. After our shopping trip the plan was for everyone to meet at Red Robin's for dinner but alas, Mindy had play practice she couldn't get out of and Carlie was exhausted and sore from our earlier excursions-So it was Mom and Kenny and the Winter's we had a great time ordered dessert to go and went back to the Howe's to share.

There was a carnival in one of the parking lots on our way "home" from Carlie's and we decided it would be fun to show Lola the lights. We got there too late to buy tickets but it was late and there was a cold wind blowing. Lola loved looking at the rides and lights and booths; so we weren't upset at all. Beside we had to get to bed for another long day on Saturday.

Grandma Sue, Cassidy Sue & Lola Sue

Saturday we drove three hours north to watch Mindy's track meet in Cashmere. She's a senior this year and considering my due date and her graduation day coincide, we thought we better get over and see one of her track meets. She's pretty stinking good and she loves track-so I always like to go and support her. Kenny and Lola hangin'out at the track meet

Me and the trackster!

After the track meet we went back to our hotel to play in the pool and soak in the jacuzzi. Carlie and Shamus came to hang out with us even though their not ready to join in yet. Mom and Kenny also joined us- but Mindy went on to an all school dance with her friends. Oh to be in highscool again!