The Trent Family: Grand Coulee Dam

Chad has been working at Grand Coulee Dam every week this month...from Monday through Thursday. So, the kids and I decided to take a little road trip and visit him for a couple of days!

We left Monday evening and got there around 7. Daddy took us to an ice cream shop and then up to the Viewpoint to admire the dam and the surrounding views. Then we stayed up late to watch the laser light show on the dam. Nick and Gabby thought that was pretty cool...but they still both fell asleep before it was over.

That night Gabby woke up at 4 am with the CROUP! She's never had it before and she really scared us! She sounded so awful and was having such a hard time breathing. In the midst of my panic I remembered my good friend Kristi telling me about her daughter having the croup and how she treated it. I got her wrapped up in a blanket and had Chad take her out onto the balcony into the cool night air. Then I called the doctor's office where a nurse confirmed my diagnosis of Croup. After having her outside for about 10-15 minutes we took her inside to the bathroom for a steam treatment. She was much better and managed to sleep for an hour before she got up with another, less severe 'attack' . Needless to say, none of us slept well that night. She was much better the next day and coughed and sniffled during the next night but didn't have any 'attacks'. Now, a few days later, she's still fighting the cold and the cough (and I'm fighting a cough...probably from sleeping next to her for too many nights!)

We were still able to enjoy small amounts of time in the hotel swimming pool and hot tub while Chad was at work at the dam...and spent lots of time lounging in the hotel room. The kids enjoyed sitting on the balcony and playing with their small toys and watching cartoons on the cable tv.

The second evening there, we went on a tour of the dam. It was pretty neat. The kids really enjoyed going down the glass 'elevator' that goes from the top of the dam, down inside it. It was weird being inside the dam and 30 feet underwater!

We visited the visitor's center at the Dam just before leaving...our last chance to hang out with Daddy for a bit before we left and he was off to a meeting.

The kids and I left for home Wednesday afternoon so I could get home in time for a twins club meeting. Nick and Gabby stayed with Grandma Elaine while I went to the meeting...and then Nick ended up spending the night with her. He spent the night the following night too. That gave Gabby a little more rest than usual so hopefully, she'll be back to healthy little self soon!

Daddy got home again Thursday night and is now completely finished with the dam project (no pun intended...well, maybe!) Just in time for our vacation! We're leaving next week for the Oregon Coast!

Nick, Gabby and Chad enjoy the views from the viewpoint.