After a year sabbatical from road trips of substantial length we decided to try our luck and drive to Washington to see the Bairds. Even though we've taken this trip many times during our children's lives they seemed to have lost all ability to handle long road trips. We took a break to stretch near Twin Falls. There was a fun park we found down by the Snake River where we ate our lunch and which the older kids enjoyed exploring with Evan while Cameron ate his lunch. This little detour was just what was needed to get everyone back to a happy state. A little food and running around will do that, I guess. Evan tossed Cameron up in the air, which he loved. He didn't even lose his lunch :)
Cameron, and all the kids really, enjoy playing with Grandma and Grandpa's blocks. The kids would build things and Cameron loved knocking them down.
Another favorite thing was swimming!
Rhys loved to be thrown by dad and land in the water.
Chris and Spencer enjoyed the slide and Spencer liked the diving board. Sophia and Rhys weren't so sure about the slide--maybe next year?
Cameron loved the water as well.
We decided to do more of a "staycation" within the Tri-Cities this year instead of venturing off somewhere else as we had done in recent years. One of the places we visited was The Reach where we learned about a lot of Richland's history. It was interesting! Let's be honest though, the kids loved playing outside on the wiggle cars :)
This was our first time meeting little Milo. Cameron and Milo weren't too interested in each other but I think these boys will have lots of fun as they get older.
We decided to hike Badger Mountain, something I'd never done before. It was a lot more challenging than I thought it would be.
Rhys was a good little hiker. He had to hold someone's hand most of the time but he finished!
On our way up Uncle Keith noticed a rattlesnake on the side of the trail. The kids were fascinated and maybe a little terrified. I was only mildly nervous. I've learned that if my dad isn't nervous then I don't need to be either and my dad wasn't even fazed. He used to hike around on these "mountains" as a boy.
The views from the top were pretty awesome. We did it!
The small dots of people on the far left along the trail were Keith, John, Chris and Spencer running down the backside of the mountain. We found out later that part of the reason they were running is because poor Spencer got a bloody nose. By the time we got down there he was mostly taken care of. Thanks uncles!
Uncle Keith is part of a bowling league and had a bunch of free passes which he generously let us all use. The kids, and adults, had such a good time bowling.
Nobody scored very well, except Keith :) but is was still a lot of fun.
Another fun thing we did was go to the Carousel of Dreams, an old timey carousel with rings to grab and everything.
Spencer was lucky enough to grab the brass ring and won a free. Sophia and Rhys were too short to reach the rings so they were a little disappointed but they still had fun riding. Cameron was tired and grumpy and did not want to rigde. Maybe next time?
Aunt Kirra and Grandma Leah put on a fun tea party for all the girls at Grandma Leah's house. We made hats out of paper plates, flowers, and ribbon. Sophia painted a miniature tea set with Aunt Kirra. We also had yummy treats. It was a fun afternoon!
Then it was time to go. The one silver lining was we were able to stop off at Sumpter Junction in Baker, OR to eat breakfast. We love this restaurant because of the neat train that travels around the whole building and right past your table. I remember coming here when I was a little girl and it's fun to see my kids enjoying it as much as I did.
The ride home was a little easier for the kids to handle, especially because they were allowed to eat a Spudnut on the way. Yum!
The trip back did have one eventful thing happen, though. While driving through the Blue Mountains Evan got pulled over by a Highway Patrolman--a first for us! Evan was confused about what he had done. He didn't think he was speeding. We used it as a teaching experience for the kids telling them what was going on and what to do if they are ever pulled over. We were surprised and grateful when the policeman came up to the window, looked at Evan, sheepishly admitted he had pulled over the wrong car, and sent us on our merry way. It was pretty funny--afterwards!
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