the West Richland Richardsons

Monday, July 6, 2009

Wallowa Lake, OR

Got back yesterday from camping at Wallowa Lake. We had decent weather, lots of fun, and awesome company!

We got to go for a 1 hour horseback ride, bumper boating, go-kart racing, play in the lake (without the boat), get ice cream, and watch fireworks over the lake while we were there.

Riley on a horse (she was too young to go for the big ride)

Madisen on her horse "Sparky", he was a slow horse

Madisen in her bumper boat

Matt and Riley in their bumper boat

Madisen driving a go-kart with her Aunt Teresa as passenger

Maddie and cousin Haley roasting marshmallows

Matt trying to steal Riley's smore

Riley (aka Miss America) eating her smore

Wallowa Lake at sunset

On June 27, 2009 we got to travel to Portland, OR to see the Jonas Brothers World Tour concert in the Rose Garden Arena. The girls loved it. We left early in the morning, ate lunch, then headed to the Portland Children's Museum. Our hotel room was finally ready at 4 pm, so we headed over to check in and change for the concert. We picked up a quick dinner at McDonald's and then hopped on the train to head downtown. Our posse consisted of Madisen and Riley, (cousins) Ali, Megan, Ryan, Nora, (Aunt) Alicia, and me.

The concert was LOUD!!! Fortunately we had brought along ear plugs for everyone. Opening acts lasted 1 1/2 hours. Between the opening acts, stagehands would come on stage to prepare for the next act, or the lighting would change slightly, and the whole arena was flooded with high-pitched girl squeals every 30 seconds or so. The Jonas Brothers were GREAT!!! We got back to the hotel where everyone promptly passed out.

Sunday morning we woke up, ate breakfast at the hotel, went swimming, packed and then headed to the Oregon Zoo. All the kids loved the zoo. We even got to see the baby elephant that was born last August.

We finally got home around 7:30 Sunday night. It was a fun, and bonding, 37 hours.

While the girls played in Portland, the guys got to take a fishing trip. It seems as though a good time was had by all!

At the children's museum

The crew in front of the Rose Garden Arena before the concert

(Megan, Riley, Ali, Nora, Ryan, and Madisen)

Nick Jonas playing his piano on center stage

Maddie at the concert

We were as high up as you could get!

Riley at the concert

Riley sacked out on Ali's lap on the train, on our way back to the hotel

Elephants at the zoo, isn't that a cute baby?

Riley zonked again, on our way home in the van

Wednesday, June 24, 2009

Idaho

Matt finally got some time off of work, so we scheduled a long weekend trip to Hayden, ID. We stayed at the Holiday Inn Express using the Silverwood package. With our package we got our room for 2 nights, 3 general admission tickets to Silverwood, 24 attractions at Triple Play, and 2 days at the Raptor Reef Indoor Waterpark. So much to do, so little time. I forgot to bring my camera most of the time, but I did manage to take a few pictures. We had a great time bonding. Matt and I were extremely worn out by the time we made it home. Matt thinks we'll try to get away again sometime in the winter. We just won't include Silverwood the next trip. The waterpark and Triple Play were plenty enough to keep us occupied.

There were 3 "big" waterslides. One of them emptied into a large "toilet bowl" that you would swirl around in before going down the drain into the large pool at the bottom. It was awesome!

There were 2 small slides. Riley loved these!

Madisen just kept going, and going, and going........

Recital time!

Riley and Audrey have been working very hard this last year in ballet. Riley really enjoyed being able to attend class with Audrey. On June 13th they were able to share with us all of the things they had learned over the last year.

Riley

Audrey and Riley

On stage

Thanks to everyone who came out to support us!

Redding, CA

We took the first of several little trips, that are planned this summer, in May. We travelled to Redding, CA to celebrate Matt's grandmother's 90th birthday. Matt was not able to make the trip with us, and he was greatly missed. On our way, we stopped to view Mt. Shasta.

Madisen, Riley, Ali, Courtney, and Eddie (Mt. Shasta in the background)

Madisen, Riley and Mt. Shasta

While in Redding, we went to Lake Shasta Caverns.

Madisen, Nana, and Riley

It took us 12 1/2 hours to drive there and 11 hours on our way home. We left on Friday and returned on Monday. The girls did great in the car, no fighting or arguing until I informed them we only had 20 miles left!

Thursday, April 16, 2009

Father/Daughter Ball

Matt had the pleasure of accompanying Madisen and Riley to the Father/Daughter Ball in February. They had a great time. Britt brought Audrey and Chris brought Haley and Kennady. Although Riley was feeling a little under the weather, everyone seemed to have a good time. Riley told me that she even got to dance to the Jonas Brothers and Hannah Montana!

We just received our pictures yesterday and thought that we'd share it.