Latourell Falls

We took the kids on their first "real" hike last week and had such a lovely time. They did great and want to go again soon!!

Ready to go!

So pretty!!

Stopping for a quick snack break!

He did so great and only asked for a piggy back ride  towards the end, but then chugged on thru til the end of the trail!

This one. She lead pretty much the ENTIRE time and did great on the sometimes uneven trail. She is a natural!!

I love these three more than words can say....

At the top.. such a pretty waterfall!!

Such a fun day together and ready to go hiking again soon!!

Plan B Isn't So Bad

This week we were supposed to head up to Anthony Lake to camp for 5 days with Doug's uncle and his family. Due to a herniated disc in my neck (more on that in a later post) it was decided that it would be best if I didn't go. The kids didn't want to leave me behind so we ended up staying home (Doug went up for 3 days at the end of the week, tho, and had a lovely time!). We decided to make the best of it and go to plan B.. camping in the backyard. The kids were SO excited to set up camp and sleep outside!

Hangin' out in the tent with daddy in the afternoon.

Jammies on, ready for bed!!

They were SO excited and SO wound up that there was a LOT of giggling instead of sleeping! Doug and I were curious how long it would take, but loved hearing them having such a good time!

 

 FINALLY... about 9:15pm, they were asleep. 

They slept very well and camped out the next night as well. They are now really excited about going camping. We are, too!! Thankful for my husband who made this such a fun experience for the kids. 

Plan B isn't so bad..... :)

A Fun Visit

Michelle, her boyfriend Eric, along with Curtis and Abby, came to visit for a few days. It was fun to spend time with them. My mom and her Doug had yet to meet Eric so we had a little party at our place.

Aren't they cute?

Abby and Matthew had a very heated water fight!

He was very determined to get his cousin soaked! :)

Love that smile!

Eric was our chef for the evening and made pizza's on the grill. He is a VERY good cook and the pizza's were no exception.. SO GOOD!!

Eric and mom chatting...

He loves her. Period.

Silly girl!

This pizza was the BOMB! So good!

It was Michelle's birthday on the 2nd so we celebrated that today as well.  Here's to another great year!! We love you, Shell!!

It was nice to have them here for a few days, and always sad to say goodbye. Counting the days until we see them again! :)

Summer Fun?

It is currently 85 degress outside, beautiful! But... this is where my kids want to be:

And I am okay with that! I love that they love to play together, inside or out. I had to post this because this photo just exudes happiness from both of them. I love it!

Beach Day 5

We headed into Newport on Thursday, hoping to tour the Yaquina Head Lighthouse. Sadly the tours were all full, so we couldn't see inside. BUT... we made the best of it and headed south to the Yaquina Head Lighthouse, the same one we visited last year. The kids had fun touring it again, and we were glad to see that.

Matthew in from of the Lighthouse we DIDN'T get to see. Sigh...

But we DID see the Oscar Meier Weiner Mobile! :)

A fun time at the lighthouse indeed. 

We got back to Lincoln City and hit the beach for the afternoon. The kids had so much fun playing together, and Doug and I got some time to watch them and relax a bit! 

Lots of little fishies in the water. Evelyn just had to go put them back into the ocean. Sweet girl!

This pesky little seagull tried to take our snacks... we caught him just in the nick of time!

The kids chasing the other sea gulls away!

After dinner we went back to the beach one last time. The kids wanted to wear their bathing suits... it was a good idea since they got soaked once again! :)

Daddy showing off his rock skipping skills!

The quintessential beach shot for sure!

Sunset.. our last night.

We sadly headed home the next morning, but on the drive we recounted all the cool things we had done during the week and thanked God for such a special time at a special place. We are already looking forward to next year!!