So for the rest of the trip, we were very busy and had a wonderful time. On Sunday, we all got together for dinner at Becky's house. We had some delicious Hawaiian Haystacks and a dessert that I don't know what to name, but it was tasty. The kids entertained themselves in the backyard, drawing with fabric markers on shirts that Shauna set up, and lots of chasing each other. We worked to get a cousins shot of all the Monson grandkids, but it's never as easy as it sounds!
Here we have the three boys that were all born within 4 months: Joshua, then Tyler and Nathan.
Monday was our big family boating day. We went to Hauser Lake where we spent time swimming in the nice, cold water, took turns skiing and tubing, and ate lunch. And of course small children threw rocks in the water. Steve and I got to go out first, since it was our first time in forever. We took the kids onto the boat with us with very secure lifejackets. It was so fun and they LOVED the boat. Steve slolumed, mom skiied, Becky also skiied, and I got up a couple times but couldn't figure out how to stay up for very long. It was very fun to get encouragement from everyone, including Joshua.
After our first run, we ate lunch before heading to the car and driving around for an hour so the kids could take naps. It was a huge blessing! They slept and were so happy afterwards!
Here some of them are coming in from the boat for the last time.
Tuesday was another restful day. Steve and I relaxed as much as possible, visited with family, and in the afternoon, we all met up for a triple birthday party. Hannah and Ben were born on the 14th in the same hospital, and Cynthia's birthday was a few days later. We were the only couple that didn't have a child to add to the celebration. We'll have to get on that. :)
Here we were with cake and presents.
After the party, we went next door (practically) to Splashdown! It was a water slide park and it was family day, so we only had to pay about half as much. We all had a blast sliding, the kids loved the small kiddy slides, and we were even allowed to take the kids in our laps down the major slides. Kelsey giggled all the way and when we asked Josh if he liked it, he said "Yes! I was fweaking out!"
The sad part of the day was saying goodbye to the Mosbacker and later the Coons families. It was so fun to all be together!
On Wednesday, we (rather selfishly) had mom and dad to ourselves along with a boat outing. Since everyone was gone (except Becky who needed a day to clean the house after so many guests) we went out to Post Falls where we boated and skiied along the Spokane River. It was really a gorgeous day and it was fun to be on the boat the whole time!
Daddy-daughter time
Steve skiied, slolumed and wakeboarded. He's so hot!
Dad in his customary role of driving the boat (though he did let me drive for a while)
At the little intermissions, Steve took Kelsey and Josh out in the water. They loved it! Josh kept getting really disappointed when he had to get back on the boat, and he especially loved to be out on the tube with Steve. When I had Josh out in the water, I was teaching him to put himself on his back if he were to fall off the boat. (Terrifying thought!) But he got it and floated along for a little bit.
I am especially pleased to say that I got up and stayed up on skiis! It was such a great feeling! It's only taken me a few years (ha!) but this time I was in much better shape and I finally figured it out! Thanks to mom, dad, and Steve for all the encouragement and patience with me.
On Thursday, mom drove with us out to Greenbluff--a beautiful orchard area--and met up with Becky's family. There were lots of little stands here and there, but we stopped at Walter's where we played in the pea-gravel, chased the enormous black dog, bought some peaches and souvenirs, and had dessert.
I was cleaning dried peas out of my clothing all day long!
Cute cousins!
Some of the other activities that we enjoyed in Spokane: running in the mornings and evenings when it was so beautifully cool, watching lots of Olympics (volleyball and track were our favorites, but we came to respect diving, sychronized swimming, and the team gymnastics with the ribbons and hula hoops), and watched Kelsey learn how to climb down the stairs forward.
We were way too sad to leave. We always feel so happy and relaxed in Spokane! We'll just have to visit more often, I guess!
