Tag Archives: Browns Park Spokane Valley

Memorial Day Weekend 2025

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It was the perfect Memorial Day weekend.

It was the perfect kickoff to the summer for our family. This is Beau and Sloan at Riverfront Park enjoying the Spokane Falls.

Although we never left Spokane, the four of us had a fun-filled yet also relaxing few days off. Thanks to incredible weather and two well-behaved children (because you never know), I don’t think we could have asked for a better start to summer. In order to save these memories for years to come, here are some of the big picture highlights from each day.

It was a hot weekend and luckily Beau and Sloan not only got along but they helped each other out.

Friday – We celebrated the weekend’s kickoff with an evening out. The four of us went to Burger King for dinner as the kids donned the restaurant’s paper crowns. After stocking up on candy from Dollar Tree, we went to the movie theater to watch the new “Lilo and Stitch” movie. It wasn’t bad! But it really didn’t matter the quality of the film at that point because at multiple times I remember just feeling so content sitting in the comfortable chairs sipping on a cold Coke with my family by my side.

Beau and Sloan right outside of the theater before going inside to watch “Lilo and Stitch.”

Saturday – With Sidney working in the yard, I took Sloan and Beau to Avista Stadium for the 5 p.m. Spokane Indians vs. Tri-City Dust Devils baseball game. It was Disney Princess Night and since I made sure we arrived right when the gates opened at 4 p.m., the kids got to meet all four princesses before lines formed (view photos). They also got to do all the activities in the Kids Zone without waiting. As for the game, we ate ballpark food and cheered on the Indians as they dropped a close one, 3-2. After the game, Sloan and Beau had the opportunity to go on the field and run around the bases.

Hanging with Sloan and Beau at Avista Stadium.

Sunday – This was the hottest day of the weekend so naturally we spent a lot of time outside…at three different parks. We started off at Riverfront Park where the kids played on the red wagon, admired the Spokane Falls, and climbed on the Ice Age Playground (view photos). We then went to Orchard Park where members of our Catholic Adult Group met and we celebrated Fr. Jeff Lewis’ 14th anniversary of ordination to the priesthood. From there we zipped over to Browns Park where we met my parents for an evening picnic. The park was filled with activity and as I drank a beer while watching Beau play near the splash pad, I thought, summer is here.

Beau and Sloan hanging with out on the red wagon in Riverfront Park.

Monday – After a very busy three days, we used Memorial Day to hang at home. The kids watched their devices while Sid and I watched Dateline. But the signature activity of the day was later that night when the four of us gathered in the living room for one last hurrah. We ate Otter Pops and watched “Wicked.” Although Sid and Sloan went to the theater to watch it originally, they had no problem watching it again with me. I will share my reaction to the film in my next Thursday Rundown.

On Monday night we ate Otter Pops and watched “Wicked.”

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I hope you enjoyed your Memorial Day weekend. If the past few days provide any indication of how the rest of the summer will play out, I think we will have a lot of fun in store. Don’t Blink.

2024 Independence Day Weekend

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Let me catch my breath because it was a hot, fun, and memorable Fourth of July weekend. In fact, I am sure it packed more energy than even the craziest fireworks package you spent way too much money on. So, if you are interested, let me roll back the past four days for the Reser Fam…

We had an awesome Fourth of July weekend. This photo was taken inside River Park Square in Spokane as we made our way to Riverfront Park on July 4, 2024.

Explosive July 4 – I think it was the busiest Fourth of July I have ever been part of. We woke up on Thursday morning and drove out to Coeur d’Alene for the community’s Fourth of July parade. It was the first Independence Day parade I have ever witnessed in-person and it didn’t disappoint as it put us in an authentic red, white, and blue spirit for the rest of the day. We then left Idaho and drove back to Spokane where we visited Riverfront Park. A traveling carnival had set up shop near the Looff Carrousel that extended to the red wagon playground. I cringed at the ticket ride prices but because it was a holiday I allowed Sloan and Beau to have fun on several of the attractions.

We spent the Fourth of July morning at a parade and a carnival.

From Riverfront Park we headed out to my parents’ house in north Spokane for a Fourth of July cookout. In addition to my siblings and their families in attendance, our friends, Dylan and Fidela, also joined us. It was such a good vibe as we enjoyed each other’s company and celebrated America’s birthday the right way. After the cookout we drove to Pavillion Park for fireworks. We re-joined Dylan and Fidela and ate freeze pops as we waited for the show. At a little before 10 p.m. the pyrotechnic arrangement started as brilliant colors and effects filled the sky. The perfect way to cap an amazing Fourth of July!

Our Fourth of July afternoon/evening was a lot of fun. We had a cookout at my parents’ house and then we headed to Pavillion Park for fireworks.

Chill July 5 – Needing to recover just a bit after a jam-packed Fourth of July, we took it pretty easy. Our main event was spending the late morning/early afternoon at the Southside Aquatic Center. This place is our favorite pool/water park in our region and we enjoyed taking a few hours to just splash in the water and go down some slides. After we finished up we cooled off with a round of Italian sodas.

We spent time at the Southside Aquatic Center on July 5.

Wet July 6 – I have written before about the sparkling pool oasis owned by Ms. Kathy, the longtime next door neighbor of my parents. Well, on Saturday, we had her entire pool to ourselves as we visited for our own private swim session. Sloan had a blast jumping off the diving board and flying down the slide while Beau played with toys on the pool steps. We later ventured to Q’emlin State Park in Post Falls, Idaho. This beach area was great for the whole family. Sloan swam in the water, Beau built sand castles, I sipped refreshing beverages, and Sid relaxed in her beach chair. Afterwards we had a family dinner at Red Robin.

Our Saturday of the Fourth of July weekend was spent at a private pool and Q’emlin State Park.

Restful July 7 – After three days of sun, fun, and water, we tried to take it easy for the final day of our Fourth of July weekend. We attended our usual 9 a.m. mass at St. Mary and then came home and watched “Back to the Future.” I then took the kids to Browns Park where they had too much fun with the splash pad. They made friends with some other children and made a game out of soaking themselves and then zooming down the slides “slip ‘n slide” style. We then capped the night off with grilled burgers.

The kids playing at the Browns Park splash pad in Spokane Valley on Sunday night.

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I would say we had an all-American Fourth of July weekend. Thanks to my children and wife for going on such a fun four-day ride with me. Let the summer continue! Don’t Blink.