Coast Vacation

Hello all!  It has been a while!  I have been peeking in at others blogs, but don't always have time to comment on your posts.  Life has been quite busy lately.  A week ago yesterday we took off for the Oregon Coast with our camper in tow for a family vacation.  My parents stayed in a hotel nearby for the first half of the trip, and we met up with Chris's Grandparents, parents and brother and sister in law the other half.  We had so much fun and did so many fun things.  

We hit the Oregon Coast Aquarium.  

 The kids really enjoyed it.

 After that we stopped by Mo's.  You can't hit the coast without going to Mo's for a shrimp cocktail and clam chowder (well, I take that back...I could..but Chris can't).  Notice Maddy's hair.  Between time in the car and all the wind and moisture there was no taming it.  

My mom found out that the tide was going to be at its lowest point on 4th of July morning.  So we took off for a specific beach (can't remember the name of it now) to do walk and search for 'treasures'.  There were TONS of starfish and anemones.

 We attempted a family picture and the usual happened.....

 I'm not sure if you can see it, but there are a tone of starfish....

 The kids thought these little Hermit Crabs were really cool.  Heck, Chris and I were entertained watching them too.  We watched them climb out of their shells, flip the shell over and take off.   

 It was so pretty and fun.  It was quit slippery and I think almost everyone took a tumble as did many other beach goers that morning.  Below...you can see how far out the tide was, it is usually up where the kids are.

 We camped at Beverly Beach our first half and it was nice as we could drive to the opposite end of the  campground and walk under the highway to get to the beach.  We could have walked, but it was a tad far for the kids.

 Thank goodness for Mema (my mom) who walked in the ocean with the kids.  I thought it was too cold.  Chris and my mom didn't mind wading in the water with the kids though.

 I came across this on one of my walks and thought it was really neat.

 We weren't in camp but 10 mins. and the kids already had the Park Ranger stopping by to talk to them.  Haha!  We had just unhooked the trailer and unloaded bikes.  I was in the trailer grabbing their helmets and the Ranger stopped by and informed them that they are required to wear helmets! I just wasn't quite quick enough I guess.

 We went to Newport on the bay front to watch fireworks.  I ended up in the car for an hour and a half and it went like this:

 We went on our first family bike ride!  Many many more to come in the future!  It was my first time in over 10 years riding my bike!  *gasp*  I was a tad nervous too.  haha!  Maddy did great, although she dawdles and stops to look at all sorts of stuff.

 This is at Lincoln City on our last half of the trip! The day was beautiful and sunny.  BUT, it was DANG cold!  I mean, I had jeans, a sweatshirt AND my heavy winter jacket on and was still cold!  There was a guy there that set up at least 8 of these huge kites.  It was fun to watch him get them up in the sky.

 We had to make one last trip to the beach the night before we left.  Miss Maddy chose here striped capris, ladybug rainboots and heavy carhart jacket.  lol....she was crackin' me up and drew all sorts of looks!

It was a very fun fill trip.  Like usual, it wasn't long enough.

Thanks for stopping by!  I have a few layouts to share.  I just need to get pictures of them.  No, I haven't been scrapping.  They are from a month ago, I have just been busy and sidetracked with life!