Spokane

On Monday this week, we loaded up the car, said good bye to Daddy and took off for Spokane. My bestest friend in the world since Jr. High lives there with her three amazing kiddos (and another on the way). Although we try to keep in touch long distance, it's not the same as hugs in person and hours upon hours to catch up.

Her oldest two are girls and matched up perfect in personality with Hannah and Haley . . . within an hour or so, they were inseparable.The older ones connected right away with hand clapping games.

It was pretty cute! All five kids (can you believe we have five kids between the two of us?!) spent the whole first day playing and laughing and running as Sarah and I spent the whole first day laughing and talking and playing games. There is nothing like a friend that you can go months without seeing and pick up like you've never been apart. I love that we could cover fourteen topics at once and track where the other one was going. . . and I don't think we took more than three breaths the whole time we talked!! Love that!!

The second day, we took the kids to Riverfront Park. They have this incredible slide that makes you feel like an ant . . .

We took the kids to play mini golf . . .

Everyone had a great time and we even had four hole in ones (two by the lovely Miss Sarah!!) We left the mini golf with the buddy system . . .

Then decided spur of the moment to ride the Spokane Falls Sky Ride . . . it's a gondola that takes you right over the falls . . . except for the fact that it was about 100 degrees in the car, it was a breathtaking view and quite a lot of excitement for the kiddos!

The grand finale at the park was a time to cool down in the fountains . . .

We headed back to their beautiful home to spend another great evening together. Haley really liked Miss Sarah's cooking . . . she said, "The chicken we had last night was grubbin'. . . I hope she makes that again!" After filling our bellies with more grubbin' food, we all played Uno together . . .

The kids went to bed exhausted by all the fun we were having which gave us Mommas another chance to chat and laugh and catch up on life. We decided for our last day, we'd head to the YMCA for some swimming for the kids while the Mommas watched from the side line drinking Starbucks . . .

 

All five were little fish and had a wonderful time . . . I knew we'd all have a good time together but was blown away by just how well the kids got along and just how much fun they all had.

It was really hard to say good bye so instead we said, "See ya soon." We've decided that once every six months we'd head over for an adventure and time to make more memories together. And the older two decided they are going to start a mail order book club trading letters and books back and forth.

Thank you sweet friend for your hospitality, your amazingly fun tour of your city, the hours upon hours of conversation and over 16 years of incredible friendship. There is no one like you and I'm so glad you call you my friend!! We miss you guys already . . .

We drove over the mountains with the breathtaking view of the setting sun. The girls did a wonderful job in the car in spite of the six hour drive and I think a picture speaks louder than words . . .

Birthday Party Fun

Yesterday we had a day full of birthday party fun . . . it started with the decorating (check out the tissue paper flowers!!)

And then it was time to welcome the guests . . . seven beautiful girls in all . . . to enjoy a relaxing spa!

They were treated to satin hands, bubbly foot soaks, lotion leg massages, hair dos, finger and toe nail painting and sparkly makeup applications. (Thank you SOO much to Auntie Missy, Grandma, and Mama Luna for all your help as Spa Concierges for the day!!)

The end result was seven relaxed, pampered, happy little girls with only one thing missing . . .

A SECOND GRADE DANCE PARTY!!!

(After all the squealing and screaming I was reminded once again why we are not even close to having a slumber party!!!)

We shifted gears and two hours later, had a family taco night with all the aunts, uncles, cousins, grandmas and grandpas. We had a wonderful time laughing, talking and enjoying some yummy comida (thanks dad for all your help chopping and cooking!) We moved on to gifts and Hannah was beyond blessed by the generosity of her family . . .

Namies sent two adorable helium balloons to decorate the occasion, Uncle Ryan and Aunt Bonnie wrote Hannah a sweet and silly poem and included some money for a fun adventure or purchase later (her eyes lit up as she said $20 bucks Mom - I think it was the biggest bill she's ever held in her hand - let alone got to keep!), Grandma and Papa gave her a coupon book full of activities to participate in when she goes for a five day special birthday sleep over complete with a haircut, lunch at her favorite restaurant, a sewing project, a shopping trip and much much more, and Grandma and Grandpa gave her a new swing set . . . it hasn't arrived in the mail yet so they gave her this picture of which she studied for quite a while before realizing what it really meant and then responded with a huge grin and lots of excitement. I don't think a little girl could have a more amazing network of family surrounding her with more love than anyone could ever ask for.

We ended the evening with pie and ice cream to celebrate Hannah's birthday, Aunt Bonnie's birthday (which was actually yesterday - thanks for spending it with us Aunt Bonnie!), Father's Day, and Grandma Merry and Grandpa Gerry's 45th wedding anniversary - so much to celebrate! The girls became the waitresses and took their job very seriously (Uncle Ben even tipped them each with a dollar which brought about more surprise and excited jumping in the kitchen!!)

It was a fabulous day for a fabulous girl . . . and the girls were so tired from all the fun and excitement, I think they both fell asleep in 2.5 seconds . . . Happy Birthday little bug. . .