Vacation

We headed down to my parents' house on Saturday. They met us in Salem and took us the rest of the way so Matt could head back home and work this week.

I started antibiotics on Friday morning for a nasty case of strep. By Sunday afternoon I was so sick and couldn't stop shaking or crying. Dad drove me to Urgent Care and they switched me to a different type of antibiotics.  Those started working and now on Wednesday night I am finally starting to feel somewhat normal.

Needless to say, we have spent most of our time at Gramma and Grampa's house.  Here are a few pictures from the first few days.

Christmas Eve

We had a good Christmas Eve. Matt took Xander on a quad ride around the property (Gabriella only wanted to sit on it when it was turned off). Mom and I eat a delicious salad for lunch every day. Yumm!! Everyone crashed out in the livingroom at naptime after we watched Psych: The Musical. We had delicious dinner, went to the evening service at church and then drove around town looking at Christmas lights in my parents' van with them.

After we got home we let the kids open their present of pajamas and a movie and then snuggled up to watch it with them.

Vacation Day 3

Today I wasn't feeling very well (tummy troubles) so we had a slow morning. Mom and I took the kids to town for a couple hours in the afternoon so that Matt and dad could have a "man-date" and watch a movie together.

Jonathan and April came over and stayed for dinner. All of us kids sat at the table and had WAY too much fun laughing and being silly while mom and dad ate at the counter. I sure love my brother (and his awesome wife!!) !!!!

After dinner mom, Matt and I played cards (our favorite activity!) and the kids sat at the table and played with their cards too. We also made popcorn and homemade non-dairy hot chocolate (yummers!).

Headed to bed now and praying my tummy sorts itself out overnight and I feel better in the morning. Tomorrow is Christmas Eve!! 

Vacation Day 2

We spent the day with Zac and Naomi and their kiddos.

We had fun just hanging out, eating Zac's awesome bbq hamburgers, playing Rockband, laughing, eating cookies and watching the kids wrestle.

In the evening we had both of Matt's sisters and their families over to celebrate Christmas and Xander's birthday.

Vacation Day 1

We had a nice "normal" day today.

The kids woke up and went running out to the livingroom.  By the time I got out there they were both snuggled up in the big chair with grampa and a blanket watching cartoons.

The girls ran grocery shopping while Matt and Xander ran around town and dad went to Wolf Creek for their Christmas dinner outreach.

I made a gigantic batch of gingerbread cookies (for Xander's early birthday party tomorrow) and we had some delicious stew/soup for dinner. The kids got to help gramma make cornbread! Then we watched Despicable Me 2 and I wrapped some presents before heading to bed.

Vacation Day 6 ~ July 16, 2013

Tuesday morning we woke up early and said "good-bye" (boo!) to the Agnews and headed down the road. 

After what seemed like a million stops and meltdowns from Gabriella, we finally made it to the Enchanted Forest in Salem!

Matt and Xander going down the slide from the old woman who lived in a shoe's shoe!

Tee-pee fun!!

We found peep-holes in the cave walls

Xander loved "Chippy" and ran right up and gave him a huge hug and a million high-5s!

All of us with "Chippy" 

Me and Gabriella riding the kiddie train

Xander was enthralled by the light and water show 

Gabriella with a fairy

"It's a candy house!"

Xander didn't have to duck inside any of the tunnels. Fun for him, but hard for us to keep up with him!!

Matt trying to keep up with Xander

Xander picking the witch's nose!

Boys in the cave

Time to rehydrate 

The kids running through the crooked house!

Ready to hit the road

Xander loved the car he picked out with his money from Gramma

Gabriella got a mermaid with her money. 

We made it home! Woo hoo!! We had such a great vacation (best one ever as a married couple) and really felt blessed. God is so good to give us times of refreshing when we need them!!

Vacation Day 5 ~ July 15th

We started the morning off by heading to Les Schwab to get one of our wheels fixed (long story!). We left the car, praying it wouldn't be too expensive to fix, and walked a few blocks over to super Walmart so the kids could run around and play in the toy section.

I found the kids and Matt sleeping like this in the middle of the night. Both kids had their feet underneath him! 

Xander had fun taking the balls out of the holder.

We met up with Ryan, Emily and Victory for lunch and then decided to head to a dairy-free coffee stand and gluten free bakery while the kids took naps in the car.

Big Foot Java!

The girls played in the pool together

Sweet Victory

Gabriella helped Emily by watering her plants

The guys chillin'

Xander chowed down on Ryan's bbq chicken. Mmmmmm!!

Bathtub Party!!

After we put the kids to bed us grown-ups stayed up til 1 am watching tv, talking and laughing. I love grown-up sleepovers!!

Plus they introduced us to Here Comes Honey BooBoo, lol!!