Spokane the second time around

Adam doesn't get a ton of time off at his job, so we took a weekend and drove out to Spokane for the second summer in a row to see our friends, the Halls. We lived in the same house (us on the bottom floor, them on the second floor) in Shaker Heights and ended up having tons in common. Our kids were friends (or frenemies at times), too. So we went out to Spokane where they live to hang out for a couple of days.

The kids were super good at finding things to do. It was nice not having a television for them to just sit in front of. They had to use their imagination.... which involved cross dressing :) It was hilarious to see them walk out for their "fashion" show! Sadly Olivia actually kind of looks cute! Jack, uh, let's just say I'm glad he's a boy!

Oh, and they had to add flowers or bows to everything!

The next day, Friday, we went to Silverwood, which is a theme park and water park in one. We didn't take the camera because I didn't want it to get wet or stolen, so you'll just have to imagine how much fun we all had. Madelynn got to go on some of her first rides and Jack ended up finally being tall enough for most of the rides too. We got there around 11am and didn't leave until almost 10pm! The kids crashed in the car and didn't wake up even when we got them to their beds. It was crazy fun!

We also went to their ward's beach party. It was tons of fun, even though we didn't know anyone. They were all very nice and the kids had fun playing in the lake.

Madelynn went straight for the food.

Jack was showing everyone that he can put his face in the water.

Olivia barely got in the water before she decided she wanted to build sand castles the entire time.

Madelynn did not love the water. It was a little cold, and she didn't like how unstable the toy was. Normally she would like the water. She ended up staying with me on the blanket and snacking on all the yummy food.

Later that night we got a babysitter for all six kids and headed out for some dinner. We ended up at Texas Roadhouse, which was so appropriate since we went there on a double date in Ohio too. We love that place and ate wayyyy too much!

When we got home, the babysitter informed us that the older kids all wanted to sleep in the same bed, and surprisingly fell asleep there and stayed asleep all night. It was super cute.

The next morning we had to leave but the kids still had fun playing for a little while. Olivia talks about Rylynn all the time and really misses her friend.

Olivia and Rylynn, August 2011

Jack and Carter, August 2011. These two are funny together. They have lots of fun, if "fun" means wrestling and fighting over toys most of the time. But they really do like each other most of the time!

I didn't get one of Madelynn and Beckett (they are about 8 months apart from each other) because neither would stay still enough for me.

It was so much fun to go out to Spokane. Thanks to the Croshaws for letting us stay at their house, and thanks to the Halls for planning such a fun weekend. Hopefully one day we will have a house and people can come stay with us :)