Lake Chelan

After a really hot day down south we were happy to head northeast towards Lake Chelan where we anticipated some fun in the lake and pool. The drive up and through Snowqualmie Pass was beautiful. We all stayed at the best Best Western I have ever stayed at. It was right on the lake and had a pool. We were all in heaven. After dropping off our bags in our rooms we immediately headed down to the lake for an afternoon swim. The kids had fun playing in the clear lake water and jumping off the dock. Uncle Brooks even rented a jet ski and the kids took turns having their very first ride on a jet ski. After playing for quite some time we realized that we had better eat so we headed on over to a pizza place for some good grub. The boys had so much fun having a sleep over in grandpa's room with grandpa and their cousins. After putting the girls to bed Mike and I just hung out on the balcony soaking up the great weather and some one on one time to just relax and talk. It was so great!

On Thursday we were back and forth between the pool and the lake but mostly hung out around the lake. Uncle Brooks was nice enough to go out and buy some rafts and inner tubes for the kids to play with. It was a little windier but we rented jet skis anyways and had so much fun even though the water was quite choppy. I was super excited because this was my first time on a jet ski. Even with the choppy water it was such a blast. Since Mike took me out all alone we were able to go pretty fast. WOW...what a rush! We were all a little sad to leave but happy that this little trip proved to be such a success. We stopped in Leavenworth on the way home to eat dinner at this great cafe bistro type restaurant called Pavz. I would highly recommend this place to everyone. We ate there a couple of years ago when we stayed in Leavenworth with the kids for the first time. Pavz is known for their crepes so naturally we all got crepes for dinner. After dinner we let the kids run around in the little town square rolling down the grassy hill. Super fun!

Ape Caves

On Tuesday we headed down to Mt. St. Helens to hike in the Ape Caves. It was a blastid hot, hot day. We got to the Ape Caves around lunch time and decided to eat lunch and then hike up the 1 1/2 mile trail to the other entrance of the cave so that we wouldn't have that hike on the tail end during the hottest part of the day. We about died from the heat and were literally melting on the hike. It was probably close to 100 degrees and we were wearing pants trying to be prepared for the coldness in the caves. There are two times when I get cranky---when I am hungry and when I am overheated. Oh yes, I was extremely cranky by the time we finally got to the upper entrance to the cave. I guess I should have realized that it was not going to be a good day for me. Most everyone had fun in the caves. Mike and I rotated carrying Abby in the backpack. We thought she would fall asleep but no such luck. She cried most of the way which was really frustrating. By the time we finished going through the caves I was so done with her crying. I was in a bit of a bad mood and as we were headed home I looked at the outside temperature in the car and it read 103 degrees! When I went to take a picture the temp went back down to 102 so that is the picture I got. YIKES! It was just too hot for any sort of hiking. The Ape Caves are really cool but it just didn't turn out to be my day for a great adventure. Suffice it to say I will not be going back to the Ape Caves. I have had my fill of that cave.

This is what happens when you take your camera from 42 degrees to 100 degress. I just didn't think that it would take so long to defog. I should have used my point and shoot but this is it! Foggy but here is the group!

Rainiers Game

What a wonderful week we had with the Holtom Family and Grandpa Al. We started our week of fun by going to a Rainier's Game which is our minor league baseball team in Tacoma. It was so much fun to sit so close to the field (not something you get with the major leagues unless you can afford those really expensive seats). We made it by the third inning and unfortunately we were down by three runs. The game seemed to go by quickly which was good for the little ones. We ate our hot dogs and red ropes and sat happily in the shade watching the game. Everyone had a blast and we even got to get up and dance the chicken dance. We didn't end up winnning but the all the kids enjoyed the game anyways.