California Vacation

We were able to take a week long family vacation to the San Diego area this past month. It was the first time we have flown with kids....and although they did very well we're not in a hurry to do it again.

Waiting to board in Pasco. Unfortunately we had to wait quite a while as our original flight was canceled due to fog and we had to wait for the next plane.

Can't tell these two are related, can you?

Enjoying the in-flight snack

This little lady did pretty well...but it was hard to sit still and be happy for the flight from Seattle to Orange County, especially without a nap.

Our first full day in California we spent at Sea World. We loved it! There were hardly any people there and we got to marvel at God's creation together as a family.

Tide pool exhibit

Waiting for Shamu show to start

These killer whales are phenomenal

Enjoying the rides at Sea World - and we didn't even have to wait in line!

Watching the Dolphin show - the kids were dialed in the whole time.

Dolphin show was fantastic!

Hudson with the sea turtles - they were huge!
Looking at the beluga whales - there was even a baby whale.
We got some fresh strawberries at the farmers market in Oceanside and enjoyed them on the beach....what a perfect morning!
Photosynth trick from Christian's iphone

Hudson took a little tumble in the ocean and ended up in just his pants. The locals all thought he was crazy as they thought the 70ish weather was cold.

Vacation, Part 2 - Disneyland

Christian's parents joined us in California for a portion of our vacation and they treated us to a day at Disneyland. Hudson was excited to go see Mickey and beyond that I dont think he had a clue what was coming. We had a fun filled day but there were a ton of people at the park the day we were and by 5:30 we were all tuckered out.

Riding the tram from the parking lot to the entrance - anticipation building!

The token family photo in front of Walt Disney & Mickey Mouse

The first character we found was Donald Duck - as you can see, Livia didn't want to get too close!

Family with Mickey - Hudson thought this was the whole reason for coming to Disneyland

Hudson with Goofy

Livia & Grandpa

Hudson was amazed on the Storybook Boat Ride
Tea Cups!
Buzz Lightyear Ride

Hudson & Grandma riding Dumbo

The kids both loved the Christmas parade - seeing the characters all dressed up and walking right past them was a highlight of our visit.

Vacation, Part 3

We visited the Mission San Luis Rey in Oceanside - it was originally founded in 1798.

Hudson posing at the mission

Cute kids :)

The USS Midway, an aircraft carrier, is docked in San Diego and is now a museum. We went aboard to check it out....that thing was huge!

Livia was happy to push all the buttons in this cockpit

Hudson checking out the cockpit of a jet

Walking the narrow hallways in the ship during the tour....a person could've spent all day in there. We only lasted about 2 hours.

Outdoor pipe organ in Balboa Park, San Diego. They do a free concert every Sunday afternoon and we caught part of it while we were there.

Balboa park also has a model train museum...Hudson's expression says it all.

Fall Fun

One Saturday in October we drove up to Leavenworth with the Koethke clan to enjoy the beauty of fall. We stopped off Smallwood's Harvest in Peshastin for the kids to enjoy the petting zoo and other various activities. It was a fun-filled day for sure!

Livia loved all the fall leaves.

I think Hudson could have stayed here and moved sand around all day.

Livia thought this rooster was pretty funny

We had a blast riding the "cow train".

Swing!

Before & After

The upstairs bathroom remodel was completed about a month ago and I am finally getting around to posting some before and after photos for you all.

Master bath before

And after

Up close of the pretty glass tile in the shower

This one is so you can see the size increase. We converted the master closet into part of the bathroom and moved the wall between the bath and bedroom about 2 feet.

Kid's bath before

And after - nothing too major here, just updated everything. After nearly 30 years and nine children this bathroom was more than a little tired - with good reason!

Women of Faith

This past weekend I got to go to Women of Faith in Spokane with my mom and all of my sisters (except Helen who is at college in CA). What a wonderful time of fellowship with my sisters and mom as well as a very spiritually refreshing time at the conference.

Since we're currently in the middle of potato harvest, the kids got to spend the weekend with Grandpa and Grandpa Koethke. They packed up their suitcases and couldn't wait until I said it was time to go!

Amy Grant concert....good stuff.

Me 'n my Momma - a great woman of faith in my life.

The Boorman girls (we missed you Helen).
I miss seeing these girls - I wish they all lived close by - sisters are such a blessing!