Vacation time! Day 1!

We got the kids up early, loaded the car, dropped the car at airport parking, rode the airport shuttle bus, waited in a loooong line to check our baggage, breezed through security, and arrived at our gate.  Riley liked looking out the window at all the activity and anxiously awaited the arrival of our plane.

Leighton had fun starting in on the activities he chose to pack in his backpack.

Once on the plane, the kids were excited to take off.  This was our first plane ride in 2.5 years, so Riley was too young to remember it.  Here they are eager to get going!

And a little video of take off!

After we were up in the air, the kids were keen to open up the first of their MANY envelopes I had put together for the trip.  Each envelope contained a book and then stickers/activity pads/cards/etc.  I made them each two envelopes for each of our 4 plane rides and 3 envelopes for the two car rides.  In total that meant I made up 28 envelopes!  I was so glad I did it this way instead of trying to keep random books and activities hidden from sight in my bag while trying to entertain them.  I always end up saving too much and bringing it home without giving it to the kids.  And this way THEY carried it in THEIR backpacks so I didn't have to!

Snack time!

We were VERY lucky to have Anne lend us Grace and Sam's DVD players and headphones.  They also loaned us a bunch of DVDs, as did Lindsey & Charlie and the kids.  The kids were always eager to open the envelopes, read their books, do their activity, and then settle in with a DVD for a bit.  It was a perfect balance.

We stopped in Denver on the way to Spokane. Leighton thought it was hilarious that there was a Tornado shelter in the airport.  The kids thought it was highly entertaining to 'surf' and 'snowboard' on the moving sidewalks.

The kids and I sampled some amazing beef jerky at a little kiosk - Leighton is still wishing I had bought him the buffalo jerky he tasted.  I did take a brochure though and see they ship, so maybe he will get some as a surprise for his birthday or something!

Once we landed in Spokane, it was time to collect our bags and car seats (I was SO happy we decided to bring our own and not rent some with the rental car - thanks Roy!!!), get our rental car, and head to the hotel.  After some relaxing in the room, we were off on a little trip down Mommy's memory lane.  Spokane, WA is the city our family spent loads of time when I was growing up because it was the closest major airport and the closest decent shopping.  It is also halfway to Seattle, where my aunt, uncle, cousins, and grandparents lived, so we'd meet there and/or stop there if we were driving to Seattle.  I have MANY fond memories of spending time there, shopping there, and eating at my family's favorite restaurant - The Onion.

First stop was Riverfront Park.  The kids had fun posing with the sculptures.

Next up was the gondola ride over the falls.

  

And then, my favorite, the Carousel.  I remember going there as a kid many times and trying to get that golden ring!  There was a penny press machine so the kids were able to get a souvenir penny from our trip!

We stopped for a quick play at the world's largest wagon.  This wasn't there when I played in the park when I was a kid, but the kids playing there now loved it, including ours!

And then it was dinner time.  I had been waiting since December '05 for this meal!  The kids were happy to receive a children's menu for coloring/activities while we waited.  They were also given bags of Goldfish, but we convinced them to keep those for later so they didn't ruin their appetites.  And the curly twisty straws in their waters were a fun surprise!

As were the Oreo cookies served on the plate with the kids' meals!

The main attraction here are the onion rings.  Oh, the onion rings.  Mmmmmm.

Leighton refused to try one (he still doesn't like onions even though he used to eat them raw and steal them out of our soups/sauces), but Riley was game.

But wait.  

I don't like this.

 Guess who finished hers for her?!?!

After dinner came the ice cream sundaes.

And Leighton proclaiming this the best restaurant ever.  He has good taste!

After a ride on the chair swing at the hotel, it was time to settle in for the night.