Spokane

We went to Spokane/Coeur d’Alene this last weekend.  It was our one weekend to get over before Tax season.  I have a feeling we won’t be over again until Easter.  Our drive over was very uneventful and we made great time.  Thankfully the pass was snowy everywhere except on the roads. I know I say this all the time but it’s so very true.  Our time there was just too short.  Saturday morning Jen, Grace and I surprised the girls with tickets to Disney on Ice.  Emerson was in awe.  She couldn’t believe that her favorite princesses were in the same place as her.  Every time I looked at her, her jaw was dropped.  She just couldn’t believe it.  Hannah had fun.  She loved singing along and trying to guess the next performer.  I wish I had more pictures to share, but I don’t.  We were in the first row on the second level.  My hands were sweating the entire time.  Emerson loved standing right at the rail, which pretty much put me in heart failure every time she wasn’t on my lap. This was taken just as it was getting ready to start.  That was pretty much her face for the entire performance.

Sunday morning we headed to Coeur d’Alene for brunch.  All of the Walker/Stinebaugh kids and grandkids were there.  We haven’t all been together in a really long time.  There were 13 adults and 16 kids.  We had a full house!The boys: Lenny, Mark, Kenny, Tom & RichHannah and ParkerJakob, Hannah & Parker – our 2004 babiesIt started snowing while we were there.  Hannah was quick to want to go out and play.  She didn’t last very long.  10 minutes after I took those pictures of Hannah, Emmie wanted to go out.  I couldn’t get over how much snow had fallen in such a short amount of time.Emerson couldn’t get over the snow.  I’m not sure she’s been in the snow before and she was just SO excited!

Our drive home was horrible.  We left Caryl’s house at 7:30 and pulled into Everett at 3:30. 8 long hours.  We stopped twice, once for coffee in Ritzville and once in Ellensburg for gas and a quick potty break.  As we pulled out of Ellensburg I told Tom that the girls had been super good and as long as the iPods stayed charged, we’d be ok.  All 3 iPods were dead before we got to Cle Elum.  As we got closer to the snowy, snowy pass Emerson lost her Moe and she decided that she had to pee. Can I just say that it was the longest trip ever from Cle Elum to Issaquah.  Tom said the pass was the worst he had ever seen it.  We managed, I’m not sure how, to get through right before they made chains required for travel. It was bad!

This is when I started to panic…and panic some more…I think this is when I wanted to cry and when Tom’s knuckles turned white.Somehow, Hannah managed to sleep through it all!Emmie on the other hand loved the pretty view.

Emmie points out the snow.

On the other side of the pass, the line of cars and trucks pulled over chaining up was unbelievable.  It was INSANE. So very happy we got through when we did.  Despite the horrible trip home, I am so happy we went.  It was a wonderful weekend with family and friends.

Pretty Pretty Pony Party

Yesterday Hannah went to a birthday party for one of her classmates.  The party was at Paradise Pony Rides.  It was alright.  It was cold and it was muddy.  The kids didn’t mind but I was thankful for the giant heaters that were under the tent.  While they were waiting for the pony rides the girls got to play in the bouncy house and the giant slide.  It was a good distraction, even if they did get wet.  The birthday girl requested that the ponies be dressed as unicorns, so unicorns they were.Hannah was nervous at first but once she realized that there would be a trainer with her the whole time she loosened up.  Hannah and the birthday girl. This is Casper.  Poor Casper was spray painted.  I felt really bad for Casper.  At times Casper looked like he was doing the walk of shame.

The kids had fun and that’s all that matters!  Hannah is already talking about having a pony party for her 7th.  We’ll just have to wait and see.

Halloween

I don’t know what happened this year, but for the first time in her short 6 years, Hannah didn’t know what she wanted to be for Halloween.  The girl just couldn’t make up her mind.  Emerson on the other hand is still young enough where I was able to pick out her costume without her having a different idea.  I brought home Emmie’s costume and  told her what she was going to be and she was happy.  Hannah’s costume was pieced together on Saturday, the day before Halloween.  At first she wanted to be an angel, then it was Alice in Wonderland, then Wonder Woman (which I was rooting for) and finally she decided she wanted to be a cat.  :) So that she doesn’t have this problem next year, she’s already started planning her next costume.

Our little Garden Gnome and the Black Kitty Cat.We started our day in downtown Snohomish where we met up with some neighbors and went trick or treating.  All of the shops along First street were open for the little ones to trick or treat.  Trick or treating from businesses is totally my style.  :)

What a group!Emmie was in candy heaven!After the fun in downtown Snohomish we went to the Henry house for chili, cards and more candy!The Henry family all went as pirates to their big Halloween party the night before.  Only Jake & Madi were in costume today.Whistle while you work…Caitlin & Casie and their friend, whose name has escaped me…. And finally, Spencer & Brenda

Looking at the pictures makes me thing Tom and I are pretty darn lame, besides the older Henry’s we were the only ones not in a costume.  Next year for sure.  We’ve even picked out our costumes.  Oh ya.  :)

Fall Party

Hannah had her first school party of the year.  I was super excited for her because I don’t think she had any “in class” parties last year.  The family members that showed up got to listen to their Readers Theater…The Little Old Lady Who Wasn’t Afraid.  Hannah had the part of the Little Old Lady and she read her part beautifully.  I’m thinking that some drama classes are in need for this girl. She really got into her part.  :)

 Nothing like loading the kids up with sugar right before they head home.  Cookies, juice, brownies, ice cream and Blow Pops.  :) Mrs. Ogden is a smart, smart lady.  Emmie got to participate in the class and boy did she think that was special.  I looked over and saw them with their arms around each other and it made my heart smile!

I also learned that like last year, Hannah has a classmate (Mia) with a sister named Emerson.  Hannah and Mia both have sisters named Emerson Grace.  Who would have thought there would be so many little girls named Emerson in one little community.  :)

Joey

Caitlin and Alex got a puppy.  Yes, in case you’re wondering they do, in fact, have a parenting agreement in place.  ;) This puppy is one of the cutest things I’ve seen in a while.  He’s so fluffy and furry and holy cow, he’s going to be a big pup.  They’ve got their work cut out for them!  ;)  Caitlin brought Joey over for a visit and I ended up putting her to work with the girls.  I had a Halloween craft that I thought the girls would enjoy doing with her rather than me.  She’s good that way.  While she worked with the girls I played with the puppy.  ;)

Joey liked playing with Nana’s air cord.  Just like the girls.Emmie was so cute, petting Joey with her feet while she worked.  Oh it killed me, they were too cute!

Welcome to the family Joey!