Last HooRah

There have been some tough things lately, just the usual Corps Officer PRESSURES...  (AAAAA!!!)

BUT.... As always, there are plenty of great things going on like this: 

Last weekend, we did our traditional "Last HooRah".  We call it that because it's our last few days to totally be together and have some F-U-N!  (I have no pictures, the kids wore out my camera battery)

Thursday morning we all loaded up in the car to "take the boys to school"  only when we got there to drop them off, we took off instead and announced to the kids "we're going to Portland!".  They were SO SURPRISED!! (even though we do it every year?!?!)  They were so full of excitement.
David was a little suspicious this time though.

We went to the Zoo first. (We have a family membership)  It was the best time ever!  Because it was so cold and a little drizzly, hardly anyone else decided to go that day.  We really savored each exhibit and as a bonus, I was told that the kids were on the Portland news!  When we were in the new Africa exhibit, we had seen a camera and cameraman but didn't think much of it... and then a friend's mom said she saw them on the news when they were goofing off with the Lion Statues.

After the Zoo, we squeezed in a little Corps (Church)  business looking at outdoor Christmas Stars for our Float and going to the Christian bookstore to find the exact kind of Christmas Christian music that we want to play for the float.  This float has ended up being A LOT of work!

We stayed at a hotel for 2 nights, but only payed for 1 due to a free hotel stay we had earned.  Plus free breakfasts.

Friday, we did some more Corps business by going to a Resturaunt Supply Store in Downtown Portland.  We do a Community Thanksgiving Meal for almost 1000 people.  It is also a LOT of work, mostly the preparations.  So we were at the resturaunt supply store looking for some additional cookware that we just couldn't find in The Dalles.   That store was a BLAST!!!  We went through every single aisle and the kids learned so much about what it really takes to run a resturaunt (and the Community Meal!).  I found a stainless steal bowl that was so big, all 5 kids sat in it at once.   We found a whisk that was almost as big as me.  To many amazing things to list! 

Then we went to OMSI (Again, a family membership.  With a family like ours, by the time you pay admission for everyone, we might as well pay the extra ten bucks to be members and go all year.  Free fun and learning!)  OMSI was great, as always.  There was a new exhibit there called "Scream" about the science of fear.  Guess who screamed??  Yep, me.  Over and over again.  I truly didn't mean to, but I got scared several times with the "put your hand in the black box and feel a snake and spider" and the "listen real quietly for the loud sound" and the "put your head in the guillatine".

After that was Chuck E Cheese (with coupons!).  This time we went to the one in Vancouver and it is definately our new favorite.  Tons more games.  That place had it going on.

Saturday morning we went to the RV Show.  (Buy one get one free adult tickets.  Kids under 16 free) We go to one atleast once a year.  My kids know what a class C, A, and B are.   They know 5th wheels, trailers, campers, pop up, hard side, soft side, weights, lengths, and on and on.   Mostly we just drool though.

We also did lots of swimming, a secret mission to the vending machine, late night giggles and even hide and go seek in the motel room.  Very fun.

We got home with plenty of time to finish Sunday School lessons, sermon, and church prep.
We call it our last HooRah because Christmas season just takes a lot of extra busy work (and that's just when things are going good.)

Thank you Lord for allowing us such a great 2 days off in a row!!  And for sharing six incredible people with me!