After months of wishing, nagging, begging, hoping, teasing, crying, pleading, fighting, and praying for a family getaway, we left on Friday morning for the Silver Mountain Resort in Kellogg, ID. After turning around twice to return home for the directions and to go potty, we were headed East for the weekend. We stopped for lunch in
Ellensburg and then drove for several hours. We got into Post Falls , ID and went into the Cabala's store. It was a cool store to walk through. After another hour in the car we arrived at the resort. We checked-in and headed to our room. And what a room it was. It was a condo.....it had a kitchen, dining room and living with a fire place. The bedroom had a huge comfy king size bed. The suite had a large bathroom with a huge soaking tub that we very much enjoyed ;) The room had a washer and dryer which was awesome. We got in our suits and headed to the indoor water park that was about 50 yards from the back door of our room. Avery jumped right in and Natale was not so sure. She wasn't thrilled with the splashing of the water and the cooler water seem to give her the shivers. Joe and I took turns taking Avery around the water park checking out the rides. After a few hours of water play we headed back to our room to get ready for dinner. We headed out to roam the courtyard, climbed on the rocks, and took a look around at the shops and restaurants in the resort. We had dinner and enjoyed the beautiful scenery.
The girls running through the courtyard
Climbing on the rocks.
As you can see in the background is a gondola. These gondolas take you up 3500 ft to the ski slopes and a village at the top of the mountain.
Playing on the rocks
marching around and posing for Mama
Natale running around too fast. She is getting around too quickly
After dinner and playing in the courtyard we heading back to our room to get the girls cleaned up and ready for bed. The resort was offering a "movie on the lawn" with s'mores and Avery wanted to attend this event. We watched 1/2 of "A Bug's Life" and then headed to bed.
Saturday morning started off with breakfast at the cafe. We then headed out for a little drive though Kellogg, ID. We went shopping for a few items at Walmart and even took a drive by all of the "Dave Smith" car lots. After our little tour of the town we headed back for some playtime at the water park for Avery and nap time for Natale. Mama took Avery into the
water park and then Papa and Natale joined us later in the afternoon. We spent most of our time in the lazy river and the hot tub. Joe and I did take turns getting a chance to ride some of the bigger water slides which were really fun. You could either use a tube or just let the current move you through the water.
Avery and Mama floating the lazy river for the 20th time
Joe and Avery waiting for their turn on the wave rider. It was a really fun ride to watch. There were some really good surfers.
Joe helping Avery get on....
She went straight back and off, but came off the ride with a smile. Joe also took a turn, but I didn't get any good photos....sorry
no nudity needed!
Avery playing in the sport pool.....playing hoops with Papa
Nice shot, honey!!
Here is the water tower that would release water about every 10 minutes. Really fun to watch and play in
Here is another feature. The big bucket on the top would also dump water.
After a few more hours at the water park, we headed back to clean up for dinner. After dinner, we invited our friend Jake
Smulkoski and his new fiance Darci to join us for dessert and a visit. They live in
Coeur d' Alene, ID. Jake and Joe were roommates in college and Jake was the officiant at our wedding. We were super excited to meet his new fiance and catch up. Jake just got his Masters at U of Idaho and Darci also graduated from U of I with her BA is Teaching. We sat around for hours talking about old times and their upcoming wedding. Here is their wedding website:
http://www.theknot.com/ourwedding/DarciThomson&JakeSmulkowskiJake and Darci have asked Joe be their officiant at their wedding. We are so happy for them. After the boys split a bottle of Jack Daniels, Darci and Jake headed for home.
On Sunday morning, we packed up and headed for Coeur d'Alene to meet up with Jake and Darci again. The girls minus Natale went to see the movie "UP". Joe and Jake just sat around "bullshitting"(as Joe would say) while Natale took a nap. After we saw UP (which was darling) we then headed for Pullman for the night. We had dinner at one of our favorite Chinese restaurants in town and headed for the Holiday Inn express for the night. We took the girls swimming which again Natale didn't like so much. We got up and packed the car for the trip home, but first a trip through Pullman.
We had to visit the bears....
This was the best picture we got of the bears. There were 3 baby bear cubs but you couldn't see them very well through the fence. After the bears we headed over to the CUB where the new bookstore was located. WOW...at a difference a few years makes. Joe and I were really curious and in awe by how much had changed. We headed out of town with a couple of Starbucks beverages. We drove hwy 26 and we again reminded how boring that drive can be. We got home with both girls sleeping in the backseat.
Hotel room fun!
The girls loved jumping from bed to bed on Sunday night. The girls did a fantastic job (for the most part) on this trip. Mama and Papa are very proud of our girls. We love you so much and can't wait to take you on more exciting adventures!! We had a blast!! We will definitely do this again. Can't wait for the next Prince family vacation...stay tuned!!
This is our lot. Lot #85.
Of her Mama
And Papa
And of a picture she drew
And of her sissy
And of course....herself 
Hope all the Dads out there had a great day!!
Here is where she laid down to rest
The tour guide informed us that she likes to reside near the station and there are many sightings of her. The other two moose we saw were the males. They were in a real wooded area and I did not get a good picture (too dark).
Leaving the station, she put her ears up only because of the tram noise and she was still there when we returned. It was really neat.
The cute river otter
I love this picture...Avery has such a big smile and was giggling so hard it warms my heart just writing about it.
The Badger....would just sit and stare at the visitors. These critters can be a match for a bear! Not kidding!
The wolves and we even heard a vocal performance from the pack. Lots of howling
A bison bull
A mountain goat climbing up a stump
Big Horned sheep
http://www1.co.snohomish.wa.us/Departments/Parks/Park_Information/Park_Directory/Combination_Parks/Willis_D_Tucker.htm
Running in and out of the sprinklers
Avery taking a few spins on the merry go round
I though this was cute....my two babies!!
Avery and Danielle testing the water...both are very brave.
Danielle is following a duck
She was practicing her kicks...Good Job Danielle!!
The girls running through the courtyard
Climbing on the rocks. 
Playing on the rocks
marching around and posing for Mama
Natale running around too fast. She is getting around too quickly
Avery and Mama floating the lazy river for the 20th time
Joe and Avery waiting for their turn on the wave rider. It was a really fun ride to watch. There were some really good surfers.
Joe helping Avery get on....
She went straight back and off, but came off the ride with a smile. Joe also took a turn, but I didn't get any good photos....sorry
Avery playing in the sport pool.....playing hoops with Papa
Nice shot, honey!!
Here is another feature. The big bucket on the top would also dump water. 
Here is the link to the resort: http://www.silvermt.com/
