While we were gone

While we were in Bali, Adam turned 9. We asked him before we booked the trip if he would be okay if we weren't around on his birthday. He said that as long as we got him an extra special present just for him it would be okay if we went. Before we left we had a special morning where he opened most of his presents.
He was very excited about everything that he got, especially what Nate gave him.

He also got a microscope. He is looking at the microscope and seeing what it does.

That very same day, the day we left, they cancelled school because there was a chance of snow. They also closed down freeways and shut down the airport. Apparently weather forecasters down here do not know anything because this is the third year in a row they have forecasted snow and we NEVER get it. We woke up to a very cold very unsnowy day. The only fun thing we found the kids could do was play in the ice on the trampoline.
They had a lot of fun playing for about 5 minutes until they got cold and wet.

Unfortunately, the day before we left, Ellie got really sick. She had a fever and just laid around all day. I ended up getting it before I left. One by one, while we were gone, the boys got it. Nate had it the worst- here is one of the days he basically laid on the couch all day. My mom said there was only one day on the trip that Nate didn't throw up. I had hoped that even though it would be hard to have 4 kids for ten days that it wouldn't be that hard, but with them being so sick I think it was really hard for them.

This is a reenactment of the trip:

By the end, everyone seemed to be feeling a little bit better. They spent some time out at the land cleaning up leaves.

Thank-you SOOO much for taking care of my kids so we could get away for a few days!