On Wed morning, I rented a car and started out on the 4 hour drive to Pasco with 3 kids, no DVD player and a printed out map of a portion of the way. I thought I knew the way ... just straight on the I90 the whole way.
WRONG.
After seeing a sign to turn off south to Yakima, I got a feeling that maybe that's were I should be going. I kept driving and saw another sign saying Spokane --- miles (I can't remember the exact distance). I decided I was probably going the wrong way and so I turned off at the next rest stop. I called my cousin Jessica to ask directions. She wasn't sure so she would ask her husband and call me back. There was a big map on the wall by the washrooms but it didn't say "You are here" so I had no idea where I was. Just then a guy pulled into the rest stop so I asked him to point out on the map where we were. He was so nice. We realized I should have turned off to Yakima, about 20 mins earlier, and then he pulled out his maps and found an alternate route for me to take since I had already gone so far. Luckily there was a secondary highway not too far ahead that would be almost as fast as the other way. I was really grateful for the kind stranger who helped me otherwise I might have ended up who knows where! After about 5 hours we finally pulled up to Jessica and Luke's house. They even had dinner waiting for us! The kids were so happy to be out of the car and I was too!! I decided I might have to splurge and buy a DVD player for the way back to Seattle just to keep my sanity!
The next 2 days we just stayed at Jessica's house and played. Shayla and Tia had school so my kids played together with Howie until they came home. They live on an acreage and the weather was beautiful. The kids even got to go in their hot tub.
WRONG.
After seeing a sign to turn off south to Yakima, I got a feeling that maybe that's were I should be going. I kept driving and saw another sign saying Spokane --- miles (I can't remember the exact distance). I decided I was probably going the wrong way and so I turned off at the next rest stop. I called my cousin Jessica to ask directions. She wasn't sure so she would ask her husband and call me back. There was a big map on the wall by the washrooms but it didn't say "You are here" so I had no idea where I was. Just then a guy pulled into the rest stop so I asked him to point out on the map where we were. He was so nice. We realized I should have turned off to Yakima, about 20 mins earlier, and then he pulled out his maps and found an alternate route for me to take since I had already gone so far. Luckily there was a secondary highway not too far ahead that would be almost as fast as the other way. I was really grateful for the kind stranger who helped me otherwise I might have ended up who knows where! After about 5 hours we finally pulled up to Jessica and Luke's house. They even had dinner waiting for us! The kids were so happy to be out of the car and I was too!! I decided I might have to splurge and buy a DVD player for the way back to Seattle just to keep my sanity!
The next 2 days we just stayed at Jessica's house and played. Shayla and Tia had school so my kids played together with Howie until they came home. They live on an acreage and the weather was beautiful. The kids even got to go in their hot tub.
Holton and Howie play fighting. They would punch each other (not hard), fall down and then get back up and do it again. It was so funny! Such boys!
On Friday afternoon (Good Friday in Canada) we took the kids into town to a children's museum. It wasn't nearly as good as the one in Olympia but the kids had lots of fun playing together. 
My Knight in Shining Armour.
We played at the children's museum for a couple of hours and then went to a park to let the kids get some fresh air.Mateya and Shayla rock climbing.
They made it to the top! 
Tia
Howie
Later we went to my Aunt Carol-Lynn and Uncle Scott's house for dinner. Two of my other cousins and their families were there as well. It was really great to see everyone after so many years!
...Cyril and Holton played! They kept each other busy with all the fun things to do in Seattle.
Jaidyn with a ballerina named Katy. She was Jaidyn's favorite!
Jaidyn with Nick Lazzarini from SYTYCD - Season 1 winner
On Monday (April 6) Cyril had to fly back home because he was starting a new job. We had planned on staying from April 2 - 13 and since our trip was already booked we stayed the extra week without Cyril. We visited with Don and Abbi (Cyril's brother and his wife) for a few days and then drove out to Pasco, WA to see some of my family.
Eating homemade icecream! It was yummy!
I took the kids to a Children's museum in Olympia. It was small but the kids had a blast! It wasn't very busy so we had most of it to ourselves. I so impressed at all the things they had to do for the kids...the best children's museum we've ever been to! It was definitely a highlight of their whole trip.
Mateya getting some fruits and veggies.
Jaidyn and Holton making a delivery.
Mateya and Holton watering the garden.
Oh no, Mateya's been injured!
Dr. Holton and Dr. Jaidyn to the resue!
Checking in at the Dentist's office.
Captain Mateya.
Loading up the ship.
Making sure everything is working.
A super fun water table. They made paths to race rubber duckies.
After the children's museum we walked over to the Washington State Capital.
We went back to Don and Abbi's for dinner and to spend our last night with them. The next morning we left for Pasco. We had such a fun holiday so far! It was so nice to be able to spend time with my kids, enjoy the weather and also to see Don and Abbi. Thanks to them for putting up with us for a few days!
