Spokane

Since Jeanette and I had a few days of for Presidents Day, we decided to pay the Dahles a visit.(Travis too) We were so happy that they moved back to Washington from Flagstaff. It's too bad that they live clear on the other side of the state! Sheesh!

I have only ever been through Spokane on a train and driving through it on I-90. I've always wanted to stop to check it out. From the freeway there are so many brick buildings including several Catholic churches that look like they are a couple hundred years old.

This is Spokane's court house. Looks like a Disney castle doesn't it?

Saturday we spent touring the city. The first place we stopped was "Brown's Addition". It was THE place to live for Spokane's elite who made millions in mining.

After Brown's Addition we drove back downtown to River Front Park. I had no idea that Spokane had a river, let alone one that ran right through downtown. This Radio Flyer slide was so fun. I love finding SUPERSIZED things. Especially things that are taller than Travis. He can walk right under this wagon.

Family minus baby. Cambree fell alseep in the stroller. It was so cold I don't know how she did it! Mallori had all the fun for her!

This one is CRAZY. It still baffles me. We were just walking away from the river, after admiring the usual kind of ducks when Jeanette and Travis called us back. Up came this enormous goose/bird/turkey/duck thing. I have never seen anything like it in my life. Not even a picture of one. He is HUGE! He must weigh about 20-30 lbs.

Even more surprising was that there was an island in the middle of the river and water falls on either side. I never found out why it's called Canada Island.

We went to this place called Tomato Street for lunch. Let me just say that I really don't like a lot of Italian food. I'm pretty picky. I don't even like spaghetti. This place was AMAZING. I'd be in trouble if I lived close by. They just have one in Spokane and another in Coeur D'Alene, ID. It looks like a huge chain kind of place, but its not!

Kate's birthday was the next day, so we made them bring her dessert. I'm so glad they don't sing! Another reason to love them. They bring out this awesome candle and a bowl of brownie ice cream goodness!

Yet another surprise. For some reason I had no idea they had a Temple in Spokane. A very happy surprise. Nearly every trip I go on I get to see one. It's pretty rare that there isn't!

H A P P Y B I R T H D A Y K A T E!

We had such a fun day. We went to church and heard Miss Mallori say the 3rd Article of Faith in Primary then took off through the "country" to see the Temple, put the kiddos to bed and played with the Wii, had delicious Cafe Rio-like pork for dinner, homemade strawberry birthday cake, and ended with watching Seven Brides for Seven Brothers.

Monday we crammed in as much fun as we could. We didn't want to go home!

We'll for it to warm up a bit before we venture back to Spokane. The drive home over the mountain was a scary, white out, slick one. Without anti-lock brakes to boot! But still worth it!

I love this picture. Getting "Geepus" (GPS, hehe) ready to go with Kate and Miss Mal waving goodbye!