May 27, 2013

It was Memorial Day today.
Or "Oreol Day" if you ask the kids who want to know what today has to do with Oreos?
We really never take off and treat small holidays like holidays.  Usually Jake works and the day is normal.  But we decided to try to do more fun things with the kids this summer.  We work hard.  And we need to be better about playing hard... or at least sometimes.  So we planned a fun morning with the kids.
I woke up at 6:30 to make this happen too which I guess maybe the key to getting out and doing more fun things on days off.
We had all the kids ready, bags packed, children feed by 8:45.  And we were off on our big adventure for the day.
It was big to us anyways.  Our first excursion with Bethany, our first outing as a family with four kids, and the first outing we've done with the all the kids all together since Thanksgiving I think.
Our plan.
A "hike" with the kids to Bridal Veil Falls.
The morning was cool and beautiful.  We unloaded the crew and walked the maybe 1/2 mile to the falls.  Marianne refused to get in a stroller so the hike was about perfect.  The kids were running around like crazy, throwing rocks in ponds, sitting on every bench? and when we reached the falls, they were most interested in the fish pond, which we luckily had a few quarters to buy some fish food for.  A few scrapes and bruises for Marianne falling because she wanted to run with the bigger kids.
And Bethany slept the entire time in a pack on my chest.
It went great.

Next up. Cabella's
Really we had made a warm weather plan and a rainy day plan.  The hike was our warm day plan and Cabella's was our rainy day plan, but since things were going so well we did both.  Sam said Cabella's was his favorite thing.  He is very excited for the father song campout this weekend.  But mostly they all enjoyed watching the fish in the huge aquariums, looking at all the stuffed animals, bears, deer, lion, warthog and otter I think were the named favorite.
Then it was to JCW's for lunch.

We were home by 12:30 I think.  It was good to see we were able to do some fun things to celebrate a day off as a family even if it had nothing to do with Memorial Day, and that the whole day was not wasted. Meaning we were still able to work on the yard and get some chores done in the afternoon.

The last pictures are just some of Bethy today since she couldn't be see on the Freeman Family Field Trip today.  Pictured with some of Marianne's doll, because they are always around, and Marianne likes to give them to the baby.

It was a great holiday.  A great break.
We are going to be better about playing this summer.  Even if all we really want to do is work or work in the yard.  Even if it is difficult with a new baby.
Things on our list include.
1.camping
2.fishing.
3. going to a lake or river
4. mini golf
5. bike ride
6. splash pad
7. zoo

Really that is  one thing every two weeks.  So far we are on schedule for some fun this summer.