Spring Break

So yes, this stuff should have been posted months ago but I want to do it now for my own records. Where we are in school and don't have a huge income we haven't been able to do many family vacations but for spring break we splurged. We got a really good rate for a hotel up in Spokane so we decided to go spend a few days there. There were a lot of fun things to do and it was so nice to be able to spend time together. Some of my greatest memories growing up were on family vacations and I hope to be able to make memories like that with my kids even if it's just a short trip to a city that's close. Here are a few highlights of our trip.

EATING OUT: This is the only photo of it that I have but can I just say that it is bliss not to have to decide what to make for dinner!! Taking my kids out to a restaurant is another story.
Cat Tales Zoo: There is a zoo in Spokane that only has big cats like lions and tigers, leopards and jaguars and a few bears. It was sad to see them in such small cages but it was neat to see the different species of predatory cats.
This was the most random thing to see behind a fence at the back of the zoo but it made me laugh.
One of the zoo keepers took us on a "tour" of the park. It was kind of lame but he did tell us some interesting things about the animals.



The zoo had a fun little play area that we stopped at just before we left. The kids liked it almost as much as they liked seeing the animals.

The Children's Museum: If you ever go to Spokane this is a fun and cheap way to spend the day. We spent hours here and the kids had a blast. Of course Emma went straight for the play stage and dress ups they had there. And Jaxson went right for the trains. Big surprise!!
What is it about dirt and water that kids like so much? At least it wasn't too messy.

We were the only ones at the museum the whole last hour it was open so we didn't have to worry about bothering other people, which made it even more fun. Josh spent some time building this big old pyramid with Emma. She sure loves her dad!!

Riverfront Park/ The Carousel: Riverfront park is one of the funnest places to go in Spokane. We went there for the fourth last year with Mom and Dad and the Bahnmillers and though the rides weren't open yet the carousel was and the kids loved it.
I know this picture is random but I love it. Jaxson is sitting so nicely waiting for me and Isaac to finish. He is such a sweetheart!!

Feeding the Ducks: When we were finished riding the carousel we went out to feed the ducks. Psychotic. There were so many birds!! Jaxson wouldn't even get out of the stroller because he was afraid of them but he had fun throwing bread to them.

You may remember this slide from my post back in July but the kids had so much fun I had to post it again.

Aside from the crappy sleeping that comes from shoving a family of five in one room we had such a fun time. There really is nothing better than spending time as a family!!

I'm such a slacker!!

So Yes, I have neglected my blog completley. But between babysitting full time and then going out of town for my brothers wedding for ten days there just hasn't been time. I am finished babysitting, my house is fairly clean and my kids are contained so I finally feel like I have the energy and desire to post now. Better posts are to come later today. I promise!!

Random Pics and a Day in the Sun

These are a bunch of random pictures taken over the last month.

So I put Isaac in my bathtub one morning because one of the other kids was in the other bathtub. He had a tube of mascara and I didn't think anything of it because I didn't think he could get the lid off. Oh, he so can. As you can see he got it EVERY WHERE!! What you can't see is that his little privates are totally black!! Apparently that's what he likes to do in the tub. The sad thing is that this was waterproof mascara and wouldn't just wash off with soap. I had to get a little brush and scrub it off. I tried to do it as soft as I could but it still hurt. I learned my lesson. No more tubes of anything for him. He is just too dang smart!!

Jaxson fell asleep like this one afternoon, and yes, his hands are down his pants.

Silly boys!!!

So Isaac is my little monkey!! Seriously, he climbs on EVERYTHING. His favorite thing to climb on is this rocking chair. I know it's ugly, we got it from Josh's grandparents when they went into the nursing home, but I really like it. And obviously so does Isaac.

We have had such a mild winter here!! It has been FABULOUS!! A couple of weeks ago it even got up in the sixties. Not really warm but wonderful weather for the winter!! We couldn't help but go out and enjoy the sunshine.

Sadly some our good friends moved away a few weeks ago. We love you Shurtliffs!! They had a yard sale to get ready for the move and we got this awesome little car from them. Now instead of carrying Isaac when we go for walks I can just push him along. He LOVES it!!
Isaac couldn't get enough of the bubbles!! He had a blast.

Sweet Children

It has been awhile since this happened but it was so cute I have to post it. One morning I came out to find this. Emma had gotten Isaac up in his seat, put a bib on him, and gotten out some food and a spoon all by herself. She is such a little mom already!! I realize more and more how blessed I am to have my children. Being a mom is definetly challenging but really, there's no better thing in the world!!