Fun in Spokane, WA

We went to Spokane, Washington (about 6 hours away) last week and had such a blast. Spokane is a beautiful city with lots to do. Once there, we traveled right across the border to Idaho to a cool water park there. In downtown Spokane at Riverfront Park there is a very old (circa 1909) carousel, which Ben and Mario got to ride. We had an eventful trip. One night, we had the worst thunderstorm I've ever experienced, with thunder that shook our building and then we lost power for most the night. And if that weren't enough, the morning we were checking out, construction workers hit a gas line and we had to evacuate! Trouble seems to follow us! Overall, it was a wonderful trip with lots of good memories.

Ben riding the carousel

The HUGE Radio Flyer wagon in the park

Ben on his favorite thing, a motorcycle

Ben and me at the Mobius Discovery Museum, after he finished his painting

Us riding the skyride over the river and falls - beautiful, but that gondola was a little stuffy!

At the Japanese Gardens

Ben sitting on a rock at the Japanese Gardens

Mario and Ben playing in the water at Riverfront Park

Base Picnic Fun

On the way there....
And....on the way back!

We went to the base picnic with friends Kristen, Ben (Big Ben), and little Avery today. We let the kids run around and play games and eat hot dogs, snow cones and ice cream! I know, really healthy stuff! It was fun though and worth it all. The kids were sound asleep on the way back - and we got this cute picture of the two of them. If you look close, you can see they're holding hands! Isn't that adorable?!

Flashback Friday!

This was at the Arboretum in Montgomery, Alabama in February 2006. I loved the trees there! Absolutely BEAUTIFUL!

Pilot in Training

Mario put his old helicopter helmet on Ben - he loved it and even gave a little salute!Ben saluting

Also, Ben is saying NEW words! We are so excited. The new things he says are: "hot" "hat" "go" "chalk" (he only gets the "alk" part) "puppy" "happy" "apple" and "baby" - so amazing how they soak all this up!

Horseback Riding??

This is what I caught Ben doing the other day. I guess you could say it's the unconventional way to ride!

Ben, preparing to stand

Ta Da!

Flashback Friday!

Me and Sylvia with our skis behind us
Us having a snowball fight

This is me and Sylvia in Wolfcreek, Colorado on a ski trip we did in February 2004. We were all living in Albuquerque, New Mexico at the time and made the trip with about 12 other people! We had a blast skiing and goofing off. We were there about 4 or 5 days. Our legs hurt and we were sick of snow by the end! Brings back good memories!!

It's Raining, It's Pouring!

This was Ben's first time playing out in the rain - it was neat to see him experience it! We had just returned from the State Fair after being rained out. That was an interesting experience. Everyone scattered like ants (including us) after a bolt of lightening flashed across the sky! So these pictures were taken when the lightening had stopped and it was just raining.

He just realized he was out there by himself!
Oh, so loving it!!

Enjoying the Sun

Ben was on the sofa being a goof ball and was trying to jump on the couch (of course) while trying to "whistle" at the same time! What more can I say?

Being a TOTAL ham!

Trying to whistle

Maybe trying to snap his fingers? Who knows?!

Flashback Friday

Me and my Aunt Jackie - about 3 1/2 years ago

in Old Town in Albuquerque, New Mexico

We were living in Albuquerque and my family came out to our house for Christmas of 2004 - this picture is one of my favorites, so I thought I'd post it as my "flashback"!