{The picture formatting got all messed up again...sorry, I don't have time to play with it all day and fix it. So hopefully you can get passed that and enjoy these pictures anyways} I just thought I'd give a little update for all of those back home who are curious as to what we're doing up here. The first full week we were here, we decided to spend a lot of time together doing things before Dave started school/work. It feels almost like we're on vacation, only we're not coming home. We have been to the Riverfront Park three times already, we love that place! Walking down the path next to the river, the carousel, the splash park, the parks, and of course, the giant Radio Flyer wagon! We have also been busy getting our house together, so now it's all pretty much set up and ready to go. Except I still can't decide where and how to hang a few pictures. We bought a pantry and a kitchen table and some shelving and a few other pieces of furniture to outfit our place. So we're pretty much settled in now. We really like the area though! It's been very nice! The neighbors, the climate and weather, the scenery, our ward, we really like it so far! Our neighbors are sweet on the other side of our duplex. They have 7 and 9 year old girls that have been playing with Emma. They're cute. They brought over a card and some zuchinni bread to welcome us to the neighborhood. They're Baptist, and Donna, the mom is super sweet. We only know one other person on our street and hope to get to know more soon.
Riverfront Park!
Emma liked this block because it had her initials - E.R. on it! 
One day, we went to visit Albeni Falls Dam (my Dad, who works for the Army Corps of Engineers would be proud!). Then we went to Sand Point, ID to go swimming and play on the beach. It was a beautiful beach and we had a wonderful afternoon swimming and playing in the sand! We've been surprised by how many points of attraction and outdoor activities are so close and there are lots of free activities, too, which is good!
We went to Couer d'Alene...so breathtakingly (is that a word?) beautiful! We played at their giant playground and then to Capone's, which was featured on Drive-ins, Dives and Diners to eat some dinner. It was SOO yummy! 
There are lots of big city parks around here, abundant in splash pads, tall trees, and squirrels. The kids get a kick out of it! It is beautiful! The splash pads are fun, there is one a couple of blocks away from our house, but this one where these pictures were taken is downtown.
My Uncle Dave and Aunt Suz and their kids Alex (15) and Kyle & Morgan (8) live up here and we've been spending tons of time with them having dinner together, going to get ice-cream, having family home evening, and getting the kids together to play, and going to church together (yes, we're in the same ward! It was crazy it turned out that way). They have such a ball together! Morgan and Kyle have lots of fun with Emma and Cal and they all get along really well. One day, we all went swimming together at a pool owned by a person in our ward. Our kids love the water. Emma is getting really good at swimming and tells everyone "My grandma taught me how to swim!" since she went swimming with her just a few days before we left, and Grandma Di taught her some things. Cal also loves the water and is fearless and will try to jump in all by himself. Lucy gets so excited as well and doesn't ever want us to take her out of the water!
Here's Uncle Dave giving the kids chips to snack on in the water. Soggy sour cream and onion, anyone?
Kyle, Morgan and Emma in the raft.
Lucy with Morgan. These kids love Lucy!
Cal and Morgan splash away!
Cal and Morgan splash away!
Dave started school last week and has officially put in a full week! The work load is crazy, which is expected for graduate work, but it's a lot! He has had three interviews, and a second interview for full-time work, but he's not sure if he'll be able to work full-time. He's now looking for a part time job. He's really liked it so far though! They had a "Bring the Kids to School Day" event this past week for the HPA (Health Policy & Administration) program, where they had big jumpy houses and blow-up toys and slides for the kids, and pizza and drinks right on the lawn at Dave's school. They loved it! And it was fun to meet some of Dave's cohorts and their families.
After the first week of school, the WSU HPA students and alumni held a picnic we went to. The south hill playground and park was a great one where they held it, and again, it was fun talking to the cohorts in the program, and those who have graduated already. There are a few guys and their families from Utah, and one from Idaho that are LDS, so that's been kind of fun. When the rest of the people in the program went to go drinking Saturday night, we did some more sober activities instead. (: Drinking and coffee are huge around here...there are billboards all over, and ads on TV, and it seems that's half of what grocery stores carry! One day, we were passing the Big Foot Bar, and the kids love it, because they have a Big Foot sign on it that's pretty cool they like to spot. We were talking with them about bars, and how they serve drinks like wine, liquor, beer and other drinks that we don't have because they aren't good for our bodies and Heavenly Father doesn't want us to drink it because that would be breaking the word of wisdom. Cal got a funny look on his face and said "But I like root beer!" It was pretty funny.
After the first week of school, the WSU HPA students and alumni held a picnic we went to. The south hill playground and park was a great one where they held it, and again, it was fun talking to the cohorts in the program, and those who have graduated already. There are a few guys and their families from Utah, and one from Idaho that are LDS, so that's been kind of fun. When the rest of the people in the program went to go drinking Saturday night, we did some more sober activities instead. (: Drinking and coffee are huge around here...there are billboards all over, and ads on TV, and it seems that's half of what grocery stores carry! One day, we were passing the Big Foot Bar, and the kids love it, because they have a Big Foot sign on it that's pretty cool they like to spot. We were talking with them about bars, and how they serve drinks like wine, liquor, beer and other drinks that we don't have because they aren't good for our bodies and Heavenly Father doesn't want us to drink it because that would be breaking the word of wisdom. Cal got a funny look on his face and said "But I like root beer!" It was pretty funny.
