Spring Break - Leavenworth

Jaydon had spring break a completely opposite week of everyone else in our family so we were wondering what we could do that would be fun and fill the time.  Jeremy also had to be out of town the first couple days for work so I called Aunt Mary in Leavenworth, unfortunately they were heading over to this side of the mountains but we were able to coordinate one quick day and overnight to visit.  

Our first adventure after arriving was to eat lunch at the condo and then head up to the schools and hike up the 'mountain' behind the middle school.  It ended up being quite a steep trail but not very long.  We all did pretty well but Jaydon did take a tumble on the way down, luckily Phil's house was nearby and he could bring us an ice pack.

Sarah came with us because she was also on vacation while all of her family wasn't.  She played with Lucy at the play area while we helped Jaydon's knee feel better.

We then headed to the trails around Ski Hill and walked/biked around.  We found all the fun athletic stations and had a good time trying them out.

Kate doing pull-ups, she is quite advanced :-)

Sarah showing off her ab muscles

Kate was enjoying her visit with Aunt Mary

Lucy getting in on the ab action

Jaydon was able to gimpily participate on the step up, his knee was definitely bruised and sore but he did have a little fun.

It was great to have Sarah to help as after dinner we said goodbye to Mary and Phil while they got ready to head West early the next morning.  We had a nice dinner out and then in the morning walked the riverfront trail exploring before heading back through town.  Seeing the goats and enjoying a hot chocolate along the way.  We packed up and headed back home.  It was a great two day get away!

Cars and tents

Jaydon has loved his Fun Friday class and when I see him come home with stuff like this I am not surprised.  This day was race car day and they had a track around the room and all kinds of cool stuff with it.

Jaydon wanted to sleep in a tent so Jeremy found one (not our good one because this was waaay too small for dad to fit comfortably) and Jaydon had a blast spending the night in our play room.  Dad was a wee bit tired the next morning but also enjoyed the father son time.

Higgins had to check it out and did end up spending some of the night in there too!

Happy 3rd Birthday Lucy!

What a fun day celebrating our big 3 year old.  I continue to be amazed at how time goes by so quickly.  Lucy is such a fun, intelligent, and active girl.  She loves playing with her big brother, riding her balance bike, reading stories and magazines and playing dress up.  She is mostly sweet, has a bit of spice and can definitely be stubborn.  She continues to have an amazing vocabulary and great communication skills.  She is not a huge fan of sports but she enjoys running around and riding her bike and definitely got some athletic genes.  She eats well ('blocoli' may be my favorite word of hers) but does insist on 'dips' for her veggies often, ketchup and honey mustard are the top requests.  Her memory is amazing and we will often find her sitting by herself reading stories and getting practically every word correct even if we haven't read that book for awhile.  It is so fun to watch her learn and grow and love those around her!  We are so lucky to have our Lucy Ann!! 

Opening presents first thing in the morning

Frozen mania has hit our house like many others so this tent from Grandpa and Grandma Smoldon was perfect.

Quite possibly the first decent photo of all 5 of us.  We got to go to Red Robin for lunch

Mmmm, ice cream

Dinner at home, salmon burgers and sweet potato fries - her favorite!  Grandma, Sarah and Anna joined us

Then the neighbors came over for more presents and dessert! 

What a wonderful day celebrating Lucy!

Easter prep

We hard boiled some eggs so Jaydon had a couple to take to school to decorate and the kids wanted to try painting some.  We had a good time, water color paints don't stay on an egg too well but it was fun none the less.

Kate and I watching the action

Oh and for those of you adept at making marshmallow anything I applaud you!  We had some really old marshmallows and a bit of left over puff cereal, I tried to make a small dessert and it was such a sticky mess (it did still taste good though).

Cards and Cats

I love getting to see Jaydon and Lucy play together and be creative.  This day they both made cards for me and a 'trap' for Higgins.  It was fun, they have taken to trying to trap Higgins with couch cushions and other random items.

Success - Higgins was captured and stayed put for awhile!  I think it was easier for him than continuing to get grabbed and tossed in.

The up close of our cards and envelopes, left is Lucy, right is Jaydon.

Gymnastics time

We found a cool gymnastics location that has preschool drop in times.  No instructors are present but the kids get to run around and play on all the equipment, they love it!  It has been a great activity getting us out the door and being active on those not so nice days.

Test run bike ride

Jaydon's elementary school isn't that far away and while he will most often ride the bus I figured it would be fun to be able to bike it a couple times.  We did a family test run and other than some gravel trails that we walk on and a hill barricade to keep cars out that is a bit of a challenge with the chariot (trailer for Kate) it was a great ride.  Jaydon can make it pretty easily and Lucy does pretty well on her scoot.

All of us getting ready to head out, Jeremy had to do more school work!

Kate enjoyed the ride

To copy Nancy, "which way?"

We played at Jaydon's playground and he and Gram both rode across America!

Exersaucer time

 Kate enjoys some exersaucer time.  She was also given her own lambie so she was snuggling with that.  Now each kid has their own lambie :-)