Spokane Carousel

Pizza, Santa, presents, and a carousel ride for FREE!!!  It was a fun family evening get-a-way.  And since downtown was under construction the last few times we went..we were able to reintroduced the kids to "THE GOAT" tonight!   This goat is one of our favorite memories of downtown Spokane from when we lived here before.  The kids just loved feeding it garbage, leaves, branches, pretty much anything and everything they could find.  Well, he did not disappoint tonight...he was a huge hit with the kids!  

Happy Birthday Clayboy

A new restaurant called Fujiyama came to Liberty Lake this fall... and We have been dying to try it.    It has Clay's name all over it... (when we play a game called Hotels, Clay always buys the Fujiama hotel..and when you land on his space, Clay in his awesome "chinese accent" will say, "Welcome to the Fujiyama...how many nights will you be staying?")  and we all laugh.  So now, every time we pass this restaurant (which is alot... since it is right down the street), we all hear Clay's voice in our minds saying... "Welcome to the Fujiyama..." So we had to wait until he got home to try it, so we thought his birthday dinner was the perfect night to do it!  The food was delicious and everyone was happy...except maybe Erica...the fire made her a little nervous.

So Long...Farewell...

 

Elder & Sister Smith are heading to the MTC!!! We were stop #1 on Papa and Nana's journey to the MTC.  We made turkey cupcakes, tried to go to the falls (but it was closed for the season), opened up Christmas presents, watched the weather (to make sure it was safe to travel, and then had to say goodbye for 18 months.

Pool Party @ BW

Becky and Brayden are going to house sit for Papa and Nana while they are gone on their mission, so they are living in the house...plus with all the packing and sorting that is going on preparing for Tuesday - when Nana and Papa hit the road... we decided to stay at the Best Western in Pasco.  We got the room free with points!!! And the kids didn't complain since we had the pool, breakfast, and hot tub to entertain them!  It was all fun and games until Detric biffed it right as we were packing up to leave..nice cut and shiner for the man!

  

Carousel of Dreams

We headed to Pasco so we could hear Papa and Nana speak in their ward before they left on their mission to Las Vega, NV.  They introduced us to the Carousel of Dreams - apparently the guy who was in charge of bringing it to Pasco was in radiation with Dad and became a good close friend!  So, the carsousel has personal meaning and significance!!!  We had fun trying to grab as many rings as possible as we went round and round!

Walk to Bethlehem

We decided to go to the Walk to Bethlehem and Tree Lighting at Pavilion Park with the Terry Family, it's always better with friends, except when the adults get talking... and miss the show... yep.  We saw Santa, got cookies and hot cocoa, and we were waiting for the second showing of the nativity, but somehow didn't hear or see the shift change... Shesh...we felt like awful parents...hey kids lets bundle up, walk to the park, freeze to death and miss the performance... well, atleast we got the cookies and hot cocoa, right? Oh, and we got a good picture with the manger! WIN!

Designated Christmas Party Day

2 parties, 2 Santas, 5 ward kids, and 1 tired Mama = our Saturday!  The ops group kids Christmas Party and the Valley View Ward Christmas party both fell on the same Saturday.  Luckily, one was in the morning and the other one was in the evening so we could make it to both and party the day away!!!   We saw Santa, sang songs, got faced painted, ate a yummy dinner, and got lots of gifts from Santa and his Elves.  It was a fun busy party sort of day!