Last Day at the Beach

This morning we took a long walk down to Haystack Rock to check out the tide pools while the tide was out. We weren't too impressed, however. They had the area so protected by workers (or volunteers?) we couldn't get a good view of anything... we were hoping to see at least a starfish! The girls weren't too bothered by the fact that they didn't see any underwater sea creatures; they were just happy to run through the any and every puddle they found along the way.

The walk was actually a great thing to do right before we left; after a little lunch the girls slept all the way home.

What a fun trip! It was full of busy fun and laughter. I'm so glad we got to spend time with such dear friends. Can't wait for next year!! :)

Where's the sun?

Today started with several craft projects! Tie-dye shirts, decorating backpacks, and friendship bracelets. Holy puffy paint - we were busy! We also spent a lot of time playing and watching Baby Charlotte. She is pretty entertaining! :)

While we waited for the sun to come out we went to town to walk around and do a little shopping. The girls and I love the book store; we never walk out empty handed! Of course, we can say the same thing about the candy store!

While we were in town Suzann arrived! Yea! All the little girls were soooo excited. She was on dinner duty, and hobo stew was on the menu. We put together all of our dinners, and put them in the fire on the beach. All the "big girls" had been outdoor school directors or counselors at one point in our lives, so we're all "expert" campfire cookers. :)

While the dinners were cooking, Midge and Kelly helped the girls make sand candles. (Another Outdoor School tradition!) They turned out great!

After dinner, we had our usual evening of campfire songs. The sun never fully made an appearance, so it was a chilly night. It didn't stop us... we snuggled in close and got all bundled up in blankets and coats. Charlotte tried to stay up to enjoy it all, but had a hard time keeping her eyes open.

Midge, Kelly, and Maddy were the first to arrive this morning. This was Kelly and Maddy's first time at one of our "girls only" adventures, as she lives on the other side of the country! We were so excited that they could come be a part of this tradition!

We immediately hit the beach to stake our claim for a campfire spot and build sandcastles. Of course, that turned in to jumping waves, getting soaked and completely covered with sand.

We came back to the beach house for warm baths, lunch, and some quiet time. We were even hoping for naps for a couple of the littlest girls... but that was about the time that Mom and Casey arrived with Natalie, Johnna, and Charlotte. It was excitement and chaos all over again!

The older girls had a "school" all set up for the little girls complete with lessons and snack time. They also had fun inventing several different games on the lawn that required lots of running and giggling. I love their imaginations... and energy!

After dinner we went back down to the beach for our campfire. Midge brought her ukele and Mom had her guitar (forever the camp directors!) to lead us in several camp songs. The girls were most excited about the s'mores... which are an essential part to every "girls-only" campfire!

It was a long and full day. Almost all of the girls fell asleep immediately... which is a good thing, because this was only day one!

Cannon Beach 2010

It's the time of year for our girlfriends get-away ... this year in Cannon Beach at Angie's parents' beach house. Ang and I took our girls down early to get settled and enjoy an extra day.

We started off our first morning with a walk to the neighborhood coffee shop for coffee, treats, and hot chocolate. Yum!

Later that day we went down to play on the beach. Surprisingly, Merilyn wasn't too thrilled with the sand. She kept complaining that sand was getting in her shoes. (She was wearing flip-flops!?) After driving into Seaside for groceries and lunch, we had a very low-key day. Ang and I chatted, the girls played and planned activities for when the rest of the little girls arrived. The weather was a little overcast, but definitely not cold. While we were at the coffee shop this morning I saw a quote that I just loved and thought was perfect for the Oregon Coast: "Don't judge a day by its weather."

Headed to the Beach

Water Fun

I may gripe about a few things that Travis does (or doesn't do!), but one thing for sure I will always admire, appreciate and love ... he is an amazing daddy. The girls still get so excited when they hear the front door open! And, no matter how tired he is, or how long his day has been, he always musters up the energy to play. In fact, just yesterday I was apparently giving misinformation about how to make a fort; "You are just not Daddy."

Camping - A Second Round

This time went much smoother! We left (almost) on time, remembered what we forgot last time... the overall process of getting on the road, and then setting up was much more painless. A few more trips and we'll be pros!

We were up at Mt. Hood RV Park on this trip with Mom and Mike. There was a pool and playground for the girls, and lots of hiking and walking trails. The girls had a great time singing and dancing on the picnic table next door, and riding their bikes. (Although, the road in front of our site was rocky, the road down to the pool was a good spot for Ali to practice.)

Merilyn still needs a little help from Daddy.

Trav and Mike played golf at Welches Resort on the second day while Mom, the girls, and I went on a hike/letterbox hunt. Again, we felt sure we were in the right location to find the treasure, but like last time, our searching lead to nothing! Argh! Although, we did have a nice picnic lunch along the way and Lily loved splashing around in the little creek. Along the journey Ali fell out of a tree a little like Tarzan might have done - and recovered quickly as she landed in a giant pile of leaves and grass.

I think this photo was before she flew out of the tree... but she did see the humor in it after she saw the size of the branch (twig!) she was attempting to hang on to thinking it would hold her!

Even though we didn't find the letterbox, Merilyn did find a treasure; her special rocks that she carried all the way home.

On the Nightstand

I really liked Elizabeth Gilbert's book Eat, Pray, Love. (I read it more than once!) I really enjoy the way she writes. It's so easy to read... it's witty, self-deprecating, and I can relate to (some of) what she writes about.

In her new book, she's taking a look at the statistics of marriage, and the history of marriage - which sounds like it could be a dry topic - but is actually very interesting. (But, I think Gilbert's writing makes all the difference between what could be boring and not!)

I am so looking forward to seeing the movie Eat, Pray, Love when it comes out in August, with one exception. And, it's kind of a big one... the main actress. Julia Roberts is playing Elizabeth Gilbert, and she's just... not Elizabeth. (It probably doesn't help that she's not my favorite actress.)

A New Pool

We are not a good pool family. We don't take very good care of them, nor do we put them away properly... so throughout the winter they get broken, dirty... destroyed.

That is why we end up buying a new pool every year. Because of this, they're never very fancy or expensive. (Maybe that is why we don't bother to take care of them?)

Travis picked this year's model. It was a bit fancier than the ones we've had in the past, but it still required us to blow it up. However, we soon realized that our electric "blower-upper" was in the trailer... and the trailer was at my mom's. Hmmm. Between Trav and myself we were able to blow that baby up. (We needed a few Advil after that!) The girls loved it, of course, and were quite impressed with our hot air.

Found

Seaside 2010

Mom, Casey, and I took all of the girls to Seaside last week. It was supposed to be over 90 degrees in the city so, we were thinking it would be good timing to go to the coast. Who would've known it was just as hot (or hotter!?!) at the beach!

We tried to go out for one of our LetterBoxing adventures one afternoon, but it was too darn hot! (Johnna's poor little face looked like a ripe tomato!!) We decided hanging out at the pool would be a better choice!

We went back out later to try again after it had cooled off... but we didn't have any luck finding the stamp. Frustrating! The girls were starting to lose interest, but Casey and I were determined and kept insisting, "Come on! This is fun!" (as I crawled out from under a shrub pulling pine needles and cobwebs out of my hair.) But, we did get to see an amazing sunset on the walk home!

Alison and Merilyn’s favorite part of the trip was all their time at the pool. And the ride on the carousel. And the cotton candy. And Funland... and... It was a great little get-away. Breakfast at Pig-n-Pancake, lunch at Dooger’s, lots of pool time, and plenty of treats from the candy store. The little girls slept all the way home! (As we watched the temperature go up and up... ugh!)