The Simple Life.

We arrived into Spokane and headed directly to Huckleberry's Market. We enjoyed wraps and pasta for a much needed lunch after our flight. We worked off our lunch at Manito Park. This park is full of beauty and friendly people.

Duncan Gardens

We were dropped off at our favorite Spokane couple's home. Bill and Colleen weathered the storm of our first two years of marriage. Kate and I wouldn't be where we are today if it wasn't for these two!

While we enjoyed fresh conversation their schowzer, Jesse Owens, kept the squirrels away.

Saturday morning we made our way to Chaps a popular breakfast spot. I had the blueberry french toast but didn't get a picture because I couldn't put the fork down.

Satuday night we got together with the best of friends for a BBQ.

The guys got restless and we quickly turned tossing the football into an intense game. We came up with creative plays like "candy cane" and "stopper". It was kinda ridiculous.

We won.

A large part of why we would move back to Spokane. What wonderful friends!

Sunday we left bright and early, 5:15am to be exact, to catch the start of the Couer d'alene Ironman Triathlon.

It's a world wide event brought to a small community.

Swim...

Bike..

This lady was with crowd control and she was hilarious. She got so angry at people.

This guy lead at the end of the bike portion of the race.

This is our friend Lauren's daughter. We were in full support of our friend Haley. She has finished in the top five the last couple years and was hoping to win it this year. I knew Haley from the gym I worked at before she went professional.

Katie was on baby watch.

Sunday afternoon Bill, Branden, Jarrod and I went golfing at Downriver Golf Course. Bill left us in the dust shooting a 41. The old man humbled us young guys! I finished 3rd with a 45. Bill treated us to a beer on his back patio. We followed with his special salmon for dinner.

Because Katie and Colleen are such wonderful cooks, we often eat in when visiting with them. Monday night we made our way to The Flying Goat for pizza.

Monday night was finished with a lazy bike ride through the neighborhood and dessert at The Scoop on the South Hill. Here are a couple pics.

Katie singing a song to Spokane.

To the die hard cyclists: How many ice cream shops have Velo News in their pile of magazines?! Spokane truly is unique!

With all that is going on and as we look forward to another wonderful 4th of July full of good food, family and home made ice cream, let's not forget those who won't have the chance to celebrate here in the states. Colleen had this on the window sill in the kitchen. It's a long story about how it got there. She sends a care package to my brother in Iraq every month. It means a lot to him but probably more to me. Have a meaningful 4th everyone!

There are more photos to come. We have already created memories from our stop in Yakima to visit some of Katie's old friends. I will post those in the coming days.

Have fun. We are!