Grandma and Grandpa (Sam's parents) picked us up in the middle of the night and after a good night's sleep at their house we headed to Oma and Opa's (my parents) house to say hi and see how Opa was doing after knee surgery. We hadn't seen Oma and Opa since their visit to Connecticut in December.
Hudson's first Marble "Game" experience
Swimming at the lake
Cousins playing
The high chair pic
(Hudson is the 7th grandbaby to use it)
Cuddling with Opa
Reunited
After a night with Oma and Opa it was back to Grandma and Grandpa's before picking up Sam at the airport. Sam arrived in time to throw his bags down and sit for a minute before we headed off to our old neigborhood where they put on a BBQ for us (so busy visiting I didn't get pictures). We stayed well into the night and with both kids falling asleep and Sam going on 24 hours with no sleep we headed on our way. We spent the next couple of days with the Fleetwood family and we had two days filled with family, friends, and food.
Uncle Sam and Ring Around the Rosie
Tracing Uncle Andy
Cousin Time
Playing like the big boys
The girls at the best seats in the house
Enjoying her time with "Daddy's dog when he was a kid" aka Grace
Giving the goats cookies
(This is at a good family friend's place, they live up the road from Grandma and Grandpa)
Saying "hi" to the cow
Learning where goat milk comes from
While we were in Spokane we had to make a visit to Gonzaga. We walked around the campus to see what had changed, visited with a couple former professors, and of course got some pictures.
We were able to spend a little bit more time with the Hassler family before heading down to the Tri-Cities for a wedding.
Playing the drum with Daddy
Watching movies with Opa in the shop
Breakfast at the Skyway Cafe
Watching the planes
The main reason for returning to Washington when we did was so that I could be in Amanda's (my roommate from college) wedding. We drove down to the Tri-Cities and I was able to spend a little time with her and the other girls before the wedding. She had a beautiful wedding at her parents' house and I was honored to be a part of it.
Tearing it up on the dance floor
(she has since said, if we have a rectangle (patio) like Amanda's maybe I can have a wedding like her-adding with Shrek music)
As Annabelle partied into the night the boys got some rest
While down there we were lucky enough to meet up with the Newhouse family (Brian is one of Sam's college roommates). We enjoyed a few hours visiting with them and even had a refreshing swim in the pool before heading back to Spokane.
Getting towed around
"All in"
Watching the pig races
the BIG pumpkins
Going off on his own
Fair Food
After Sam took off we were on our way again this time to the Tuinstras' for a sleepover.
Hudson ready for bed
(He became vert attached to his blanket during the trip)
Slumber Party
We were then back out to Oma and Opa's where the kids enjoyed exploring with Oma and Opa and I enjoyed some down time.
Splashing in the creek
Trying out the boat
Big enough to jump across the creek now
Play-doh with Oma, doesn't get better than this
After a couple nights with Oma and Opa it was time to head back to Grandma and Grandpa's. Since our trip was extended we were able to celebrate Grandma's birthday with her. The kids were also able to spend some more time doing their favorite thing at Grandma and Grandpa's, feeding the chickens. We also got to go on a couple of outings with Grandpa (despite "retiring" a few years back he keeps busy driving school bus and volunteering at the fire station) we were able to visit both the buses and fire trucks.
Hudson had no fear
Feeding the chickens
Waiting for the bus
It was then back for a night at the Tuinstras, where Oma joined the sleepover allowing Serenity and myself to go out with friends. We had a crazy night that included dinner at Tomato Street, followed by some clearance shopping at Target.
Moms' night out
The next day we headed off to see Opa at work, he kept the kids happy with smarties. The kids and I then headed off to my best friend Tiffany's house for a late night of hanging out and catching up.
All of them know that Opa is never without smarties
Enjoying Jordyn's toys
Then back out to Oma and Opa's for our last couple of nights.
Jammin' with Opa
Watching the deer in the morning
On our last full day in Washington we spent a little time at Riverfront Park before heading to Chuck E. Cheese's (something I had been promising Annabelle for months-told her we would go with her cousins).
Feeding the Garbage Goat
Sliding down the Big Red Wagon
Oma treated us to a ride on the carousel
Hold on tight
Couldn't let the kids have all the fun
We spent our last night at Oma and Opa's both kids and grandparents getting in all the cuddles they could.
One last stop before the airport, lunch at BK where we met up with Tiffany and Jordyn for one last goodbye.
Best Friends Shot
(got one of Tiffany and myself as well, but not as cute as this)
It was then off to the airport where Oma was able to come to the gate and get a few more minutes with us before saying our final goodbye.
In the end we had a great trip, but were ready to get back home to Sam, our own beds, and schedule. Both kids did a wonderful job on the plane and I even got a chance to relax a bit after they fell asleep.
