Day 3, Spokane, WA

Headed up to Spokane, WA today to explore Riverfront Park. This was home to the World's Fair in 1974 (is there still a World Fair?), and the boys rode some famous carousel associated w/it. Only got lost a little bit getting there, but luckily found the tourism center that not only gave us good directions, but also some coupons for discounted tickets! The boys enjoyed a skyride over Spokane Falls-Megan and Mommy passed as Mommy is not fond of dangling high in the sky in a small box supported only by a cable. Don and the boys went to an IMax movie-some movie on sea creatures. Megan and Mom walked around and enjoyed some girl time. Perhaps a highlight for the boys was riding the ferris wheel......alone......Mom was just a wee bit nervous w/this but did keep her shaking hands steady enough to take a few pics of the rite of passage. Did not get lost returning to Coeur D'Alene.
Grandma and Aunt Amy arrived today, as well as many other aunts and uncles. Again, enjoyed some swimming and a yummy yummy seafood buffet.

Vacation, day 2

Another day on the road-all went well. We headed up to Helena to visit my cousin. Had a nice visit, and the boys enjoyed playing their Wii. The boys were thrilled to see real mountains for the first time-the view was pretty awesome, but Mommy wished she had some valium on the curvy roads going up and down. Mom and Dad realized to power of Nintendo DS and i-Tunes/books on CD during the long car drive. Megan was a good traveler, and napped like a good little girl.
Upon arrival in Coeur D'Alene, the boys had the long awaited trip to McDonald's for supper, and were extra excited to get an Optimus Prime as their toy. Enjoyed some swimming at the hotel before going to bed at 11:15 central time.

Vacation, Day 1

We survived day 1! All the kids were great little travelers, including Megan! We left Mandan by 8:30 and arrived at Livingston, MT at 9 pm. We took our time, stretching our legs at New Salem (for a geocache), Medora, and Billings. The boys got t-shirts in Medora, thanks to Eric's bloody nose-it was easier to buy a new shirt than dig through the back of the van for the suitcase. We were all excited to go to Zoo Montana in Billings, and were disgusted to learn in the parking lot, outside of the zoo, that the zoo closes at 4 pm (it was 4:15). Thankfully a local who was also with disappointed children directed us to a fun playground, where the kids burned energy for an hour before dining at Denny's. The boys were super excited to see mountains for the first time on the way from Billings to Livingston. Megan was thrilled to see cows. We are all tired and ready for bed, and excited for what tomorrow will bring!

Tattoos and frogs

Amy, Jason, Laura, and I all enjoyed a mid-life crisis together and got tattooed at Dead Rockstar in Fargo. We are wild and crazy people! Afterwards, we had a BBQ at Laura's house, where the boys enjoyed playing with frogs.

Major Award

We received notification early this afternoon that Eric won a major award. He was the winner of a coloring contest at one of the local grocery stores. He was ecstatic.

Company

We enjoyed a visit from the Moody clan over the weekend. The kids had a jolly good time playing together in the backyard. We went to the Capital A'Fair yesterday, toured the Heritage Center, and enjoyed a pizza cruise on the Lewis and Clark Riverboat. Today we have very tired children, and a very tired Mommy.

Black Eye

Megan got her first black eye on Saturday. She had an unfortunate run in with her ring stacker toy.