Our Trip to the Hood

        Our traditional get away to close the year, 2016! We chose the Hood River and Skamania Lodge in Stevenson Washington. We drove through to Skamania on Thursday and stayed till Saturday morning. We had a fun time swimming, hot tubbing, playing games in the lobby, roasting smores by the fire, and getting our last few Geocaches of  2016! Our room was a Groupon so it was a steal of a deal. It was more fun bringing the kids here with us, then when we came here by ourselves. The kids are at that perfect age, and we rarely want to be without them. I think they know it too because we used to have a strict bedtime every night but now we don't care when they go to bed. We love spending time with them. Of course Ethan and Charlie like to fight sometimes but it is far better than it was a few years ago. On the way there we stoppped at Vista House (geocached there),  Multnomah Falls, and drove across The Historic Bridge of the Gods.  The lodge was beautifully decorated for Christmas of course. I loved the art in the main sitting area and am tempted to get Valerie a large canvas so that she can paint me a big beautiful bright blue stag (Harry Potter's patronus) against a black backdrop. At the lodge the kids did grab me a pine cone (okay maybe off someone's door) to hang on our bedroom door at home. It's a perfect way to say, "Stay Out" without having to say anything. Charlie said, "mom, I know the people who have pine cones on their doors are inside having Sweet loving!" What a goof. Although they do say on the pincone...do not disturb! Don't worry she is almost 9!!! Last night during a Lush Bomb Bath, I taught her how to shave her legs. Morgan Knobloch, I take back that spanking I gave you for shaving Valerie's legs at this age. Start them young and hopefully she won't be swimming at the age of 17 with hairy legs! Ha ha ha. 

  

 

We ended the year with a impromptu Huskies party, the movie Passengers,  watching/toasting the ball drop in Time Square and then celebrated it the second time with a 10 minute TV firework show at the Space Needle! Welcome 2017

Ps. This girl said the other day that she is always "ready to take the shot!"