From the North Pole to Lake Havasu

Last week, (I know it's not like me to post so late, but I've been busy okay?) we had the exciting opportunity to go to the Polar Express in Williams, AZ with almost all the Hafens. We went 3 years ago when Erick was 1 and Rachel 3. For Brian and I it was exactly the same, even the food! The kids on the other hand, had a different experience than last time because of their ages. This time they loved Santa, last time they cried when they saw him. This time they listened and followed along with the book, last time they were crying and tired during the story. This time they ate only the desserts and noodles, and last time they ate only... desserts and noodles. (okay not that different.) Anyways we had a blast! Brian, being the great dad he is, took them swimming in the not-so-heated indoor pool before our dinner and train ride, which was fun! Not to mention we love staying at hotels and eating out, who doesn't right? The next morning we hadn't had enough excitement and adventure so we decided to try something new and extend the trip a little by going to Lake Havasu. There we visited the London Bridge (actually brought over from London,) ate pizza by the lakeside, rented paddleboats for 1/2 hour, (which was good because Brian made me do all the pedalling in the hot weather while he relaxed,) then hiked down the beach to the model seaplane show. The Lake Havasuians took that event very seriously. All in all it added another 1 1/2 to our trip and gave us a good four hours in return. I think we experienced all the seasons in a 24 hour period! Maybe we'll try that again in another 10 years!!!

WE ARE NOT THE CHAMPIONS, BUT...

we made it through our last week of soccer! I really appreciate Brian taking time to coach Rachel's team. He wasn't super excited since he didn't know too much about the sport, but he did it for Rachel and because I asked him too. He was a great coach, and made sure all the kids had a positive and fun experience. They all learned a lot! Rachel, for instance, learned that she doesn't enjoy running around for 10 straight minutes, or having people kick balls around or through her. On the sidelines socializing with her teammates, or snack time at the end of the games were her favorite parts of soccer. (Do either of those things have anything to do with soccer? uh, no!) I know she loved spending time with her dad, because when I had to coach practice this week instead of Brian, she told me that dad was a better coach, and that having me run the practice was "just too weird." Which is a 6 year old's way of saying I was embarrassing her I guess. She did score a sweet solid plastic brass trophy out of it though! I also made it through a long Tuesday of babysitting 8 kids ages: 6 months, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 6! I happened to have all the kids on the same day because there was no school. I now have a glimpse into the daily life of my mother-in-law, raising 9 kids! (Bless her heart!) It takes a patient woman to deal with all of that busyness. With 5 hours of all of them at my house, only 1 injury to report. Our old, free, heavily used trampoline formed a huge whole and ate the 3 year old. We are lucky he only bruised his cheek. Not something a mom wants to see on her kid the first day at the new babysitters house huh? His mom was very understanding about it, thank goodness. After a week like this I need a vacation. Good thing we are going to the POLAR EXPRESS tomorrow! Yesssss!