Harrison Hot Springs Resort

Schools in our part of Washington have something in February called mid-winter break. I think it's so everyone doesn't lose their minds in the constant rain and gray, and we all try to escape to some sun so we don't die of vitamin d deficiency. Last year we were in Disneyland during this time, but this year we were in no position to do something as grand. However, we were able to find a resort about three hours away in Canada called Harrison Hot Springs.

Now you might be thinking that Canada is in no way going to be warmer than Seattle, and you're right. However, this resort has naturally-fed hot spring pools that sounded fun to explore, not to mention nice and warm in the cold winter weather. They also have hotel family suites that have two separate rooms - one for the parents and one for the kids. I was sold, especially because the winter rates were decently priced. My parents booked a suite for themselves and my sister, and we booked one for our family for two nights.

We packed our suitcases - or in Kendrick's case, his "soupcase" - and we were off!

The drive took a few hours and we crossed the border to Canada in no time. We told the kids that they had to learn to speak Canadian, and when they asked how we told them they had to say "eh" at the end of every sentence. They didn't believe us, but when we made a quick stop at Costco, they quickly learned that we spoke the truth.

The first thing we noticed when we got out of the car, was that it was FREEZING. We immediately dug all of our warmer coats and clothes out of our bags and kept them close by. Despite the cold, it was clear and sunny: just what the doctor ordered.

The area was beautiful and we loved the view of the lake and mountains from our rooms.

The first night we took advantage of the resort's four o'clock tea and cookies that they serve each day.

We went out to dinner at a HORRIBLE restaurant that made the worst alfredo ever. My dad ordered a steak and received literally two bites of meat. We realized our mistake when we looked up the ratings after we ate, and noticed it barely received two stars. After our miserable dinner, we took our first trip to the hot springs.

Running around mostly naked in freezing weather before slipping into deliciously warm pools really shocks the system. It was almost unbearable, but then once you were settled in the warm water you never wanted to get back out. Especially because you knew what you faced if you did. Every time I made a transition from the cold to the warm, or visa versa, it immediately gave me contractions. Seriously, it was traumatic. But swimming in the pools surrounded by evergreen trees, steam, and seeing the beautiful stars overhead was an exhilarating experience. And it was fun to laugh together about the absolute wretchedness of getting in or out.

The next morning we enjoyed breakfast and hot chocolate in our rooms before we spent another day exploring the area.

It was even colder than when we first arrived, and it also started snowing. Undeterred, we checked out a few hiking options and found a trail that had some cool carvings to find as we walked.

You can't tell in the pictures, but was snowing on our hike and everything was covered in ice.

Brigham, Ammon, and Kendrick had more fun stomping on icy dirt and throwing sticks in the frozen-over water.

When we were done freezing our tooshies off, we headed back to the hotel for lunch and then Brigham took the older kids and my sister to swim while Kendrick and I rested and chilled in the rooms.

Kendrick and I went down to the pools to visit and take pictures.

The steam and falling snow, mixed with the greenery and mountains truly was awesome. I couldn't drag Brigham and the kids away from the pools. Kendrick and I explored more of the resort and we went up and down the many many stairs.

We found a much better pizza place to eat for dinner that night, and then left Kendrick with my dad as the rest of us returned to the hot springs for one last swim in the snow and stars. We all took warm showers that evening and relaxed watching the US women beat Canada for the Olympic gold in hockey.

The next morning we packed up and enjoyed a bit of sun out on the dock on the lake before we headed out.

Cold, icy, and beautiful.

We made one last stop in Canada to extend our fun at a castle family fun place. We miniature golfed, played arcade games, and blasted some laser beams.

Then it was time to cross the border back into the USA.

For just getting away for a few days, it was a relaxing, fun trip. I loved checking out a new area and the kids loved swimming for two days straight. Harrison Hot Springs is beautiful and I hear it's even prettier in the summer with lots more to explore and do. Maybe we'll have to go back, eh?

Tappana Times: The Longest January

28 Weeks

I swear this past January was the longest January of my entire life. It could have something to do with finally announcing my pregnancy to the world and time suddenly seemed to stop. Or it could be the never-ending gray and gloomy rain that plagues Washington this time of year. It could also be the letdown from the holidays. Or all of it combined. All I know is that January felt like six months instead of one.

With that being said, we tried to keep ourselves busy so we wouldn't be too caught in the dreary. Kendrick and I took several walks, but I swear EVERY TIME we get all set up to go because it's not raining, the second we start to set foot out the door, suddenly it starts pouring again. So I either put the rain cover on Kendrick's stroller and go anyway, or we trek back indoors and hope it stops in couple minutes.

This was supposed to show how five minutes before it was sunny, but now it's raining in this picture. You just can't really tell...but that's how it happens

 We got rid of Kendrick's last binky that he used to sleep with.

It was a hard transition for the both of us. Poor kid has had to be re-sleep trained so many times and really really really loves that binky. I love just being able to go in and pop it back in his mouth if he wakes up crying and then problem solved. And I loved how he would ask for his binky only when he was tired and wanted to sleep. It kept him my little baby for that much longer. However, I did not want to deal with binky drama with a new baby and Kendrick turned two so it was time for my boy to get just a little bit bigger.

Kendrick threw the binky away just fine, but it took a couple weeks of crying at night and naptimes for him to get used to going without it. I also discovered that he's been sucking on his blanket or burp rag instead. But as the month went on, he's gotten better and better.

Besides making Ammon's birthday cake, I made my favorite breakfast pockets. They use homemade dough and are stuffed with eggs, cheese, sausage, and hashbrowns. I love having a batch in the freezer and warming them up for a quick breakfast on the go. This time I used whole-wheat flour in the dough and they still tasted awesome. I felt mighty domestic. It's funny how I suddenly feel like baking and cooking in the cold winter months.

On a day off of school, we went to the Pacific Science Center in Seattle where we were given season passes.

They have all these different sections where you can learn about different science-y things like dinosaurs, space, nutrition and bodies, weather, etc. My favorite section was the insect section where they also have a huge indoor butterfly exhibit.

Kendrick so badly wanted a butterfly to land on him and he walked around with his hand held out, just in case a butterfly so desired to be friends.

My sister, Kayleen, who was with us, also wanted a butterfly to land on her. She stood very still near a large group of butterflies, and sure enough one finally landed on her chin!

In fact, the butterfly liked her so much it wouldn't come off when we decided it was time to go! No matter how much she moved and shook, it stayed attached. I finally had to use a paper to scrape it off.

Ammon was hoping for a butterfly landing, but unfortunately, he was not so lucky. Lydia was the opposite, and when one actually tried to land on her she freaked out and ran away. Of course, Lydia would be one to be afraid of butterflies! We still tease her about it.

We ate lunch and walked through the whole museum and the kids had a fantastic time.

Of course, Kendrick's favorite part was in the toddler section playing with the water and toys.

He glared at any kid that crowded his equipment or space and dumped bucket after bucket of water. The big kids had their own fun and spend quite some time in the water area as well.

We ended outdoors in the water mechanics section and the famous hamster wheel.

It was nice to get out, explore, learn, and be together.

And to end this post, here's Kendrick in double hats that he chose to wear around all day. Surprisingly, no one at the grocery store commented at all. He would wear hats in multiple varieties everywhere if he could, and most the time I let him. Because if anything is going to keep a smile on my face in these cold, long months, this boy and his hats will.