
Being out in the NW brings a whole new joy to a long weekend. On Thursday we went over to Spokane to visit my sisters. Brian couldn't get work off, so he stayed home with Jesse. Thursday night the boys played with their cousin Mady, while Brooke and I visited with cousin Haley. We had such a nice time! Friday, the boys and I met up with Nealy and her family for a day at Silverwood Amusement Park. It really was a fantastic day! My 7 year old niece talked me into going on a roller coaster that goes upside down. I screamed the entire
ride. Later, Ryne talked me into going on a much bigger ride that goes 60mph and drops on a dime. I've never been so scared in my life! Caleb was insistent on going on the ride with his cousin Brendin. I think Cal is now scarred for life. The picture of them is Cal burying his face into Brendin's chest, while
Brendin holds him close. Ryno loved it, though. He went on the ride 3 times! After we had a late lunch, we went over to the water park side until it closed.
Jason, Nealy, and I kicked back (I even had a fancy drink), so we didn't get wet. After it closed, we went back over to the ride side, and near the end hit the water rides. We had heard you don't get very wet on them, but right off the bat, I went down a waterslide backward, and I got drenched. We were all in this large raft, and Nealy laughed her ass off at my misfortune. Soon enough she was drenched, too, and I literally laughed the entire ride. I don't know that I've ever laughed so hard in my life. It was definitely my favorite part of the day.
The least favorite part, was that we were all (kids included) soaking wet at 9:00 at night for an hour or so. It was chilly, but we closed it down. Awesome, awesome time.
Saturday was another fantastic day. My dear friend H.P. met the boys and me
for back-to-school shopping. We had a great time. H.P. is really petite, and she was trying on clothes with the kids. It was too funny! After we shopped, we went and picked up the Brooker and headed down to the Spokan waterfront for "Pig out in the Park." We met up with Nealy, her family, and cousin Haley and her b/f Mark (also from WRG, I used to babysit him)! The park had just about everything you could imagine for food. Ryno was in complete heaven.
He had a bacon wrapped hot dog, and a deep fried Snickers for
dessert! Cal likes to stick with what he knows and had a cheese quesadilla and an ice cream cone :) We all sat around, visiting, and H.P. and I had a few beers and chatted about everything under the sun. Afterward, Nealy took the boys to her house, I took Brooker home, and then was off to spend more time with H.P. We sat around the fire pit, with her husband Joe. It was so relaxing and easy. H.P. always makes me feel so good about myself. She truly is one of my favorite people on the planet.
We decided to stay another day, and hang out with Nealy and her family
some more. They had a wonderful bbq at their house, and Haley and Mark came over. Nealy, Jason and I stayed up late talking about a ton of things. It actually got a little heavy. We talked about things that I never talk about. Stupid beer! haha. Thank God we have so much love and trust for each other.
We sped back on Monday to get home in time for the 5th of my 5 fantasy
football drafts. Yes, you can tell I'm unemployed! Just as we got home, Brian got called into work, and once he was home, he was off again for his draft. It was funny, as we all missed each other, and our reunion kept getting pushed off.
This week has been a little of back to reality. The boys started school yesterday. We didn't get off to a good start, as poor Ryne got so much anxiety he was actually puking. He wanted to stay home so bad, but I wouldn't let him miss the first day. After school, he skipped football practice, and called to have me pick him up. He gets himself so worked up. Of course, we are sympathetic
to what he goes through, but at the same time we have to be firm with him. We actually have to make him do things. If it weren't for us making him, he'd miss out on playing all sports. He gets this way about everything, psyching himself out. But once he gets going, he loves it. If he didn't love playing, of course we wouldn't push him. I know the poor kid got the anxiety from me, and I feel terrible...but right now, he's at football practice. Brian got off a little early, so he's there watching which will help, I'm sure. Anyway, there were lots of tears from Ryne yesterday. Caleb also had a very rough first day, as the bus driver dropped him off at the wrong stop. I actually had to drive around to find him. He was VERY shaken up. Cal was in hysterics on and off all night long. He said he never wanted to ride the bus again. I called the bus terminal, and was pretty pissed about how dismissive they were about the whole thing. MOFO's! Thankfully everything went much better today. I was able to talk to the driver today, and I am confident we won't have this issue again. So, it seems as if Day 2 is much, much better!
Well, we are 35 mins from kickoff of the first football game of the year. I t doesn't get much better (unless it were the Seahawks playing), as my main man, Peyton Manning is playing tonight. Oh, how I love him! Football, football, football....! Oh, how I love it!
I hope this day has found you all well! I've got more to say, so I should actually have an entry tomorrow.
'til then,
Jen