WA: Beach

On our final day we were all finally feeling well enough to get out. We headed to a nearby beach, which was beautiful.

Tanner is an outdoor boy to the core.

Jake caught crabs, which bit him.



Washington

When we got to Washington, Tanner got sick, so there went all our plans. Josh and I got sick too, and then as soon as we got home, Jayden and Sidney got it too. It never fails to get sick on vacation. We did a couple things, but mostly hung out. The guys went shooting and while we were there it was Friday the 13th with a full moon. They went with a bunch of other guys on a night hike to a ghost town. I think they had fun with that.

 

The kids all looove their uncle's dog, Coal.

We drove almost an hour for this. Totally worth it. 

The girls got their nails done. 

Cousins. 



OR: Agate Beach

After Mary's Peak we drove out to the coast with my mom. There are so many little beaches to stop at, I'd never been to this one. You can find prettier beaches, but this one wasn't terribly windy. We told the kids the water was too cold to get in, so to just get their feet wet. Did they listen? Of course not, so they were soaked by the end. We forgot to bring extra clothes, so we made a stop at the store and half of us ended up with new outfits. Afterwards we ate dinner at a restaurant right on the beach, so pretty! Another giant photo dump.

 

 

Tanner was in heaven being able to run free.

The Oregon coast isn't known for warmth. Jayden and Sidney are used to southern beaches, they were in for a surprise.

We had to cross this creek on logs that were not sturdy. I was the last to cross, and the kids started chanting, Go Mommy, Go Mommy!! It was really cute. We all made it across in one piece. On the way back, the kids just walked through the water since they were soaked, and Jayden stood there making fun of me. He was making me laugh so hard I tripped and got wet up to my ankles. So it wasn't just the kids who got new clothes. Wet tennis shoes, not fun.



OR: Mary's Peak

The last two times we were there, we tried to hike Mary's Peak, the mountain that my little town sits at the base of, but both times it didn't work out. It rained once and then the road was closed the next time. So we finally did it. You can drive close to the top and then hike a mile trail to the top. It was gorgeous. The views are incredible, you can see forever in all directions of the Wilamette Valley. On a clear day you can see the ocean on the horizon. Some of our best friends recently moved back to the area, and we called them up to hike with us. Huge photo dump comin' at ya! The drive up was incredible, watching as we were eye level with the clouds, and then rising above them.

Our kids got along so well, it was crazy. In the first second they saw each other they were playing. We spent the whole next day with them too, and they were calling each other cousins.

I've known Janean since our 4th year at girl's camp. We roomed together in college, and married roommates. I can't tell you how good it felt to be with people who make me feel at home, and like no time has passed.

On the way down Tanner fell asleep on Josh's shoulders.