Memorial Day weekend

The girls and I decided to spend this past weekend in Spokane with my best friend Karen and her family. It was great to finally meet her kids Jakob and Sydney. We all went out to Jakob's Riverfront Park to ride rides and just have a good time.

On Sunday the girls and I went to Rathdrum to go to church. It was really great to see everyone in my old ward. Most people looked at me like they knew who I was but couldn't really remember until I told them I was a Mitchell. I got to see lots of old friends.

The girls really enjoyed seeing my old high school and some of the towns I used to live in. I couldn't believe how much things have grown out there. Of course it has been eight years since I was there. We also made a trip out to the boardwalk in Couer d' Alene. It was a little windy and chilly out by the water. The girls really liked looking at the boats.

I am glad that we were able to go and see everyone. I really miss everyone and everything.

R & R

As most of you know Alex was home from Iraq for a couple of weeks. He was able to come home for the girls' springbreak. It was great having him home. We surprised him by meeting him at the gate at the airport. I think he was more surprised to see how big the girls have gotten since the last time he saw them. They both have grown a couple of inches while he was gone. While he was here we went to the mall a lot. Shocking because he hates the mall and really hates spending money. As you can see we had our family pictures taken. My neice Brandi took them for us. I think that they turned out great.

We sprang the girls from school on Friday and spent the day at the zoo. They were surprised to be pulled out of school for that. It was a great day. The girls got new cameras from daddy and had a blast taking pictures of all of the animals. It was a great day.

Yesterday we decided to go to a hotel and spend the day by the airport since his flight was going to be so early in the morning. We went to the Bulwinkle Family Fun Center. It had everything. We got to go on go carts, bumper boats, play miniture golf and play a lot of games. The girls said it was the best place ever. That was until we went out to dinner at a steak house. It is the place where they give you peanuts to snack on and you are able to throw them on the floor. Sam thought that was the coolest thing ever. It really doesn't take much to impress that girl.

But like all good things Alex's stay had to end. It was a sad night for us all. Alex had to leave around 3 am and ended up waking us up in the process. There were a lot of tears and I know that there are going to be more. At least this time we only have to wait around four months til we see him again. Then we move.