Birthday Trip

These pictures got all out of order, but I'm just going to give one big caption for all.

October is the great birthday month around here!  I love it!  Eric's birthday is 5 days before Tate's birthday, so Eric kicks of the October festivities with his celebration September 27th.  Tate is into geography, so his cake is a world map with runny frosting and the number 7!  Although we were celebrating both his birthday and Avery's with this trip, we left on his birth date of October 2nd.  Avery's was a few weeks later on the 20th.  

This year instead of a friend's party, we went on a family trip to Great Wolf.  It was about a 4 hour drive and Henry entertained us by putting books on his head and grunting until we all applauded his great feat.  He would even make sure Avery and Tate were impressed by watching them with his eyes turned while keeping his head still.  It cracked me up.

Upon arrival, the kids posed by the big bear.  I told Avery to sit and smile, but she had a better pose in mind.  Aunt Jenn gave the kids gifts before we left and they opened them at the hotel.  I was really happy that Avery opened an easy craft activity of bedazzling jewelry so she could have something to do while we rested up before swimming.   Tate loved the bunk bed area where the kids had their own tv.  We spent 2 days swimming and running around the hotel and can't wait to come back.  Seriously, we love Great Wolf.  This was also our first family vacation with just us.  I love building vacations around extended family, but this was also really nice and low-key.  From Great Wolf we headed to Portland to spend the night with Ty's family, and then on to Eugene for Taegen's baptism.  I didn't get any photos, but it was very nice and she is a sweet heart.  All 3 kids slept on the ride home.  That NEVER happens!  They were exhausted.