The trip back home

Wednesday we started our trip back home but not without Grandpa who decided to be our travel guide.  He even went to the store and bought the kids some DVDs and arranged for a DVD players for us.  The kids where very excited about the trip home.  

It started out a little bumpy.  I had lost my phone a few days prior and getting my new phone set up before leaving Idaho Falls was a bit tricky but an hour later than departer time we where on the road.  Grandpa Thomas bought everyone breakfast and we headed out of town.  

There is something about wide open spaces that make me so happy

Watching Thomas the Train.  Can you guess what Everett's favorite show is?

Grandpa with the trusty map

Clark Canyon Reservoir  

Lunchtime and Mc Donalds

 We stopped in Cour d'Alene for the night.  Grandma and Grandpa Thomas hooked us up with a sweet stay.  The views were breath taking, the place had two rooms and a full kitchen and let's not forget about the swimming pool.

watching TV while I cooked dinner.  I loved the openness of the place

The resort 

 and of course before bedtime we had to check out the swimming pool

Morning breakfast Popsicle made from real fruit and because we are vacation

my boy's love for shoes cracks me up

On teh way back to the swimming pool.  We found a warm

Mom please take a picture of our friend the worm

Watching the boats and seeing the busy side of Cour d'Alene on the other side makes this place the perfect viewing spot.

 The kids where awake way earlier than I expected so I figured we'd be able to squeeze more fun into the day.  When we got to pool and once all three kids where swimming a kind old lady told me that pool was for adult use only until 9am  Bummer.  I was super bummed.  But she said she didn't mind so we quietly played til she left.

Grace quietly swimming

Gwenevere's quiet float

Everett just tasting the chlorine

Mom take a picture of my muscles.

Cheese

Everett and his impressive jumps

We explored the boat docks before heading back to the hotel room to pack up and check out.

Once the car was loaded up and everyone was happy we drove down the road to check out a scienic hike before the long trip home.  Although we didn't have a lot of time to explore we spent over an hour just hiking and exploring a short part of the hike.  I can't wait to go back and do the whole hike.

 

finding flowers

collecting pinecones

Marker number 6 because I'm six

red flower 

Everett slept in my back park of most of the hike.  Then we drove spokane and thought of Carrie and Sara T.  I wish I had more time and could have stopped to say hello but the day was already almost over and we still had to get home to see Papa.  

We ate dinner and another McDonalds and stopped by the Columbia River do some exploring and stretch our legs but the rest of the trip was one long drive to see if we could make it home before sundown.  Which we did.  Yippee and boy was it good to see Papa again.  To give him our travel presents and to see the big surprise he had waiting for me.  

exploring the Columbia Rive

Everett was so happy to see his Papa 

The Present James surprised us with.  And all we got him was a T-shirt.  LOL

It was a super d duper vacation and I loved it all but it was nice to be home again.  Until next time