Spring Break, Part 1

We originally had no plans for Spring Break.  I was trying to mentally prep myself for a week with bored kids and wondering how I'd keep everyone entertained.  At the last minute, Ben decided he would be able to take a few days off.  We planned his days off on the two best predicted weather days- Monday and Friday.  We'd also get two 3 day weekends that way too.  Win win.  With it being last minute, we scrambled to make some plans of fun things to do. 

On Monday, with the weather forecasting to be SUNNY, low 70's and gorgeous, we knew we needed to plan something to do outdoors.  Ben and the kids love all things outdoors and he is always thinking of ways to take them hiking, fishing, camping, hunting, etc. 

We decided to hike to Snoqualmie Falls for the first time.  Snoqualmie is just a short 30 minute drive from our house.  We packed food, had everyone dress in tennis shoes and packed lots of water- we were ready to hike!

I had been told that the "hike" to the falls was super easy, but I had not been quite warned that it wasn't a hike.  At all.  We were disappointed with that.  To get to the Falls, you park, walk up some very nice, cement stairs (like 15 stairs) and you're there.  

The view did not disappoint, don't get me wrong.  This beauty of nature was worth the drive and our time.

Our volunteer photographer for this picture didn't get much of the falls in the shot.

I liked this quote on a plaque in the park.

We "hiked" back to the van to make a new plan for the day.  (There are tshirts in the gift shop that say I hiked Snoqualmie Falls!)

The city of Snoqualmie is a beautiful area and their little downtown area is really neat.

We walked around the train museum and train yard.

Family Christmas card photo? :)

We were bummed that the train ride around the area now only runs on weekends.  Chloe and I rode it years ago with some friends, when she was a baby, and it used to run during the week.

Our crew was prepared, ready and anxious for some hiking that day, so we decided to drive the short distance to Mt. Si in nearby North Bend.  Ben has hiked Mt. Si with his young men a few years ago.  It took them a few hours.  We had to be back in time for Chloe's softball game that afternoon, so we only had a short time to hike.  We decided to hike Little Si.  The trail we hiked was 5 miles round trip and we hurried to try and get as much in as we could.  We ran out of time, but estimated that we hiked 4 of the 5 miles.

My little hikers were so, so excited.  This picture shows the trail- pretty steep and very rocky.

Livy did amazing in her backpack.  We were worried she was too small to handle that thing, but it was perfect.  She barely made a peep the entire 2 hour excursion.  She was so great.

Mitch and Chloe were in charge of wearing the water backpacks.  After Mitch had 5 drinks in the first 30 minutes, we had to set some rules.

She is the best, most patient little girl.  With 4 older siblings going every direction, she gets dragged along to every activity they/we do.  She takes it all in stride and is so patient with all of us.  She was very tired toward the end and had a hard time getting comfortable in the backpack, but made the best of it.

Leah is such a ham!

Great view!

When we told the kids we had to turn around and that we weren't going to be able to make it to the top, all of them groaned.  They were so disappointed.  I don't even love to hike, but I was bummed that we couldn't finish for their sakes.

  I was so amazed at all four of them.  We took Mitchell on a much easier and much shorter hike when he was the twins' age and he cried and whined the entire hike.  It was miserable.  I just could not get over how well they all did for a very rocky, rough trail that was steep.  They loved every minute of it and had energy that I can only dream of.  Leah was the most phenomenal.  She literally floated up and down the trail like she was walking on air.  I held her hand for a few minutes on the way down and she was actually dragging me down the trail behind her.  She was going much too fast for me.  She was jumping and stepping down and off the rocks on the trail like she was weightless.  Lexi, who wasn't quite as fast or agile as her twin sister, still did above and beyond what a 4 year old should be able to do on a hike.  She loved holding my hand and was a much better paced buddy for me.  She chit chatted the entire way up and down, talking about everything she could think of. 

5 happy kids, a beautiful day- it was the perfect hike.

We were pressed for time, but we were close so we had to stop by XXX Root Beer (an old fashioned burger joint) in Issaquah.  Ben was introduced by a co-worker.  He and I have been here once together.  It was a first for the kids.

The description of the XXX burger sounded yummy, so I ordered it.  I had NO idea it was as big as it was.  I about fell off my hair when they brought it out.  It was only a few dollars more than all the regular sized burgers, but at least 3-4 times bigger.

It was massive.  Luckily, Mitch is a growing boy and was starving and he probably ate almost half of it himself.  I shared the other half with the twins.

We shared a few root beers.  The kids loved that!

We made it back home with just enough time for Chloe to change and head off to her softball game. 

Monday was the best start to our Spring Break!