6/6 to 6/7 Seattle to Portland

We left Seattle after running out of ideas for the kids. Portland was next on our list. Not knowing where to stay in Portland, I had booked a place online. It ended up downtown and WAY, I mean WAY fancy. Not a kid friendly place. Everyone there was in slacks and ties or nice clothes. In walks the McNary's with 3 kids in tow, dressed in our messy street clothes with Tucker just screaming (not crying just being loud)!! So, we decided to get out of there as soon as our luggage was brought up to us. We decided to go to the Waterfront where there was a fair going on. Brandon can't stand fairs. Boy were there some wack-o's. The girls begged him to go on some rides. He finally gave in. They had a blast. We have them on video of their first roller coaster ride by themselves. We listened to some really cool South African music and then left. We were so uncomfortable in the hotel that we opted to leave a day early.

6/3 to 6/6 Seattle

We got to Seattle early in the day. Madee asked me about 10x "when can I see Anna??" Her little friend has been in the Seattle area for about 3 weeks and she was just dying without her. So, we met up with them on day #3. We decided to go to Pikes Place Market and the waterfront the day we arrived. WHAT A MISTAKE!!! That is the nastiest place on earth. Well, maybe not, but it is in the running. We drove around down town a little and realized that was not a good idea either. NO PARKING!! Didn't end up being to fun driving more for the kids, but Brandon got to see Qwest Field where is Seattle Seahawks play. That was neat.

We got to go on a boat and go to Blake Island where Tillicum Village is. It is a Native American village where they dance and feed you. They kids liked the show and the ride over. The next day we finally got to met up with the Aldridge family. We decided to met at the Pacific Science Center and had a blast. Even the adults enjoyed it. Brandon and Paul got stuck doing brain teasers while the little ones ran around. Our favorite things were the dinosaur fossils, brain teasers, the giant tic-tac-toe game, virtual soccer and the butterfly garden. We took the monorail over to the down town mall and walked that. Brandon wasn't having a good day with all the "stuff" going on with the business. We got to eat at PF Chang's. YUMM!!! They probably didn't like the mess 5 adults, 6 children and 3 infants made, but it was really good!! LOL. I mean a BIG mess! We walked down town and froze our butts, so we called it a night. We really had fun in Seattle and will be making an "adult" trip back soon for a Seahawks game.

6/1 to 6/3 Spokane, WA. to Bellingham, WA.

We were so sad to leave the wonderful comforts of the Whitaker home. We visited with Scott a bit when he came home and headed off to Bellingham. It is about 1/2 hr. south of Canadian border. Brandon was especially excited to go there to see some of his old stomping grounds. His great-aunt and Grandmother are from there and he would spend much of his summers as a kid there. We went and hiked Whatcom Falls. Brandon told us all about this park, but you can't describe it in words. We LOVED Bellingham!. Loved the trees, loved the parks, loved the people. We swear we will retire there. I just have to love the rain first!!

This is the home that Brandon stayed his summers in. He was like a kid at Christmas, so excited to show the kids.

Sunset at Bellingham Bay. This is a park that we sat at and watched the sunset. The kids were the "kids to watch!!" Tucker had all the ladies and the girls were showing off on their scooters.

5/31/07 Spokane, Wa.

Corinna made us an amazingly yummy home cooked meal last night!! Ribs, corn on the cob and baked potatoes. We had a fun time catching up with them. The kids laughed and played. It was fun to see them like that again. Unfortunately, Scott had to work today. He is still on probation with the Fire Department, so we missed him today. Corinna was our tour guide and took us around Spokane. We went to a park in the center of down town that was really fun and beautiful. The kids loved the slide and the water that would come out of the ground and got them all wet. Oh' and the snow cones!! It was really hot that day so that was an extra nice treat. Thanks guys for making our stay a memory!

This is the slide I am talking about!!! Yep, it is a Radio Flyer wagon slide. Cool ha!

5/30/07 Coeur d'Alene, Idaho to Spokane, Wa.

So from Missoula to Spokane we go............but first we must stop in the beautiful Coeur d'Alene Idaho. I have never been up this far into Idaho. WOW!!! It was amazing. We had to hit the city park and play, stretch and enjoy the view a bit. We loved the lake. It was breath taking. We got to Spokane around 4:00 and we very excited to see Scott, Corinna and the boys. It was nice to see familiar faces for the kids and a warm home cooked meal! Yumm Yumm!!

5/29/07

So, from Idaho Falls to Missoula MT. we went. We arrived at the hotel around 4:00pm and the girls couldn't wait to find the pool. You see this was no ordinary pool, this was a water park inside the hotel. All they wanted to do was SWIM, SWIM, SWIM!!! That is all we heard. It was really fun and Tucker even enjoyed the water. Oh' and for the record........Brandon swam in a public pool. I have it on video!!!!! LOL

Our Family Vacation.........5/28/07

Well, call us crazy or what you may, but we have decided to take the family on a 4,000 mile road trip. Visiting 5 different states, staying in 9 hotels, 2 homes, and visiting over 13 different cities!! PRICELESS MEMORIES!

Today we left the comforts of our beautiful home and headed for Salt Lake City to get some dinner and stretch our legs. The traffic wasn't too bad for the holiday. We ate dinner and headed for Idaho Falls. Not to much today except driving.

A piece of HEAVEN!

I wake up each day to laughter. The sound of children laughing brings such joy. The girls love to go into Tuckers bed with him in the morning. He loves it too. I sometimes think that he gets disappointed when it is just me!! LOL I surprised them on Saturday morning with the camera. This is my heaven on earth!!

Madee's Accomplishments!!

First off........she did it! We got her on her bike with no training wheels. She asked if I would come and help her and before I walked out the door, I see her riding down the driveway all by herself(her cousin Cammeron helped her the day before!!!)

Second.........Madee graduated from pre-school on Thursday. She was so funny. Madee led us in the Pledge of Allegiance and did very good. They gave out awards at the end and Madee was awarded the "Giggly award" GO FIGURE!! Everytime she got up in front of the mic........she started giggling. She was so funny. It just seemed like yesterday, staring at her little crack hanging out of the diapers that never seemed LARGE enough for our fatty Madee!! Onward to Kindergarten she goes.!

a fit over otter pops

so....today Brandon came in the office with the usual.....a few otter pops in hand. Well, Tucker got one look at them and his little hands and feet were going a mile a minute. Brandon sat down with him to give him a few taste which ended up being 1.5 full otter pops. I guess he loves them too now. They were gone and Tucker threw himself on the ground in a fit. Dad returned with one more and he was at peace again. I guess I better go buy some more. LOL

Summer Games

Jenna & Madee participated in the Barefoot Gymnastics Summer Games this yr. They both did outstanding on all the events. Both ended up with the same scores of 39.9 out of 40.0!! They had fun and little Tuck was all "tuckered out" after 3.5 hrs of gymnastics!!

WELCOME!!

Well, we are trying this out.......I really like the blogging thing. It is always fun to see how everyone is and the little one growing up like the weeds in my backyard.LOL We are all doing really well. Anticipating the trip we have planned to visit Scott & Corinna and then off to Seattle, Bellingham, Canada, Portland, Jenn & Mark, then off to the Redwood forest, San Francisco and then ending in Laguna Beach. I WILL be found past out on the beach! So, for now. ENJOY!