Spokane, WA

We have some really great friends in Spokane and decided that since we were going to be as close as Moscow, ID to them that we should really take the opportunity to spend some time up there as well. Spokane is one of the most affordable places to live in Washington State and actually has trees, waterways, hills, mountains, and from what I hear great family hiking trails and parks as well.

We stayed with a really great family that Zak had known from his teenaged years in Ohio. The Frerichs! This couple were newlyweds when they joined Zak's family ward in Ohio as Dennis completed the requirements to become a Physicians Assistant. He now specializes in Orthopedics. I had such a great time getting to know Janyse and meeting their two kids. She schooled us all on the Wii. I am terrible at video games of any kind but I enjoy the time with good people so that's all I really care about.

My best friend since forever, Yvonne, also lives in Spokane with her husband and their two adorable girls. We had the opportunity to visit with them and I got to feed them some Spicy Black Bean Burgers (one of our family favorites) that weren't spicy this time because I couldn't find a fresh jalapeno. Now, of course I realize that I could have just bought a small can of jalapenos to use but at the time my pregnant brain got in the way. They were still quite yummy. We also made Coconut Chocolate Chip Cookies which were yummy! Another of my favorite people moved to Spokane recently, Aeranee, and we got to spend time with her as well and get caught up a bit. I really miss those chicas! It's crazy that after all these years and life experiences that have taken us in many different directions, when I get together with these, my friends of my childhood it just feels comfortable...like a piece of home, love, friendship, childhood innocence, and all the good things I remember about growing up where we did returns and I remember who I was...who I still am. Our history keeps us bound despite the distance and changes life brings us. I feels good.

As I'd mentioned in a previous post, my camera remained untouched this entire trip. All except for this cute picture of Yvonne's cutie, Mia.