Spring Break on the Oregon Coast

We had a great spring break and the best part is that it was totally last minute.  Our friends found a beach mansion on Air B&B that was big enough for several families to stay at and basically everyone had plans except for us.  Win for us!  

the unassuming front of the house

The back of the house

The house was called "I'll Be Back" House because Arnold Schwarzenegger lived there years ago while he was filming Kindergarten Cop.  The house had just been redone and it had everything we could possibly need for a good time, even with crazy spring weather.  Since it was the off-season it was only $1500/night.  In the summer it's $3500/night.  Yikes!  Too bad because this would be the way to do the Oregon Coast instead of camping.  

There were two kitchens, a theater room, game room, plenty of bedrooms/bathrooms, a huge deck with a hot tub, and under the deck was a small apartment we dubbed "The Lair" where all the teens stayed so we hardly ever saw or heard them.

Henry truly believes he's running the show around here

Henry ran to the beach and quickly began making snow angels in the sand.  He loves the beach!  And we all loved the sunshine, even if it was cold.

The teenagers dug a huge hole in the ground with seats in it.

The Matthew's and Lisonbee's

Katie and Kami love reading and good food.  Enough said

We discovered Tunnel Beach which was beautiful and sunny.  I ran on the beach a couple of mornings (beach running isn't great but at least I don't have to keep track of where I am so I don't get lost), we did puzzles, played games, ate really good food, went to Tillamook multiple times, talked away the day, watched the rain/snow/sleet/sunshine from the floor to ceiling windows, and loved relaxing.

Tunnel Beach:  we walked through a tunnel in that cliff and came out on the other side to more beautiful beach

That's Randy looking out over Earth's beauty

Tillamook - the ice cream is delicious and so are the fried cheese curds

These t-shirts were Tillamook souvenirs 

Cannon Beach!

Randy's first time at Cannon Beach.  He was underwhelmed.

Bruce's Candy Shop is still a favorite.  Randy bought out the store.

We found a great pizza joint and ate at a playground with an awesome tree to climb

After we left Cannon Beach, we drove to Washougal, WA to visit the Stinchfield's and see their new house.  Their house feels like a cabin out in the woods.  Inspired by Randy's trail building in our backyard, they cleared some trails that were fun to explore.  The boys also had fun riding their One-Wheels.  They are harder to ride than you think!  

Those smiles!  These boys LOVE playing video games

We got back in time for a quick Easter dinner and egg hunt and then we collapsed into bed. 

Easter Sunday and the first time Henry wore a necktie

Marcus spent Easter in Utah 

We've hit that point in the school year again where we feel like we should be nearing the end, but we aren't.  Now we are digging deep to find any desire to do all the things we have to do, like get out of bed.  It's rough.

Birthday Extravaganza

It's summer which means we have a whole slew of birthdays to celebrate with our wedding anniversary tucked in there between them all.  It's a whirlwind to say the least.

Randy turned 42 while we were at the Oregon Coast.  I bought a Nothing Bundt Cake for him (and Henry) and tucked them carefully into our van that was bursting at the seams.  Luckily both survived the drive and unpacking unscathed.  Randy has had another busy year as he works his tail off to get our practice off the ground.  He is doing an amazing job, his patients and staff love him, and he and I are getting better at maneuvering the ups and downs of the dental business.  Experience is a great teacher!  We were so happy he could spend a few days with us before he had to go back to work.  Luckily he's been able to take a lot of little 3-day weekend breaks throughout this summer so he's not completely tied to the practice like he used to be.

Two days later, Henry turned 2!  I wish I had a picture of all the people who were at our campsite to sing Happy Birthday to Henry.  My aunts, uncles, cousins, and even his Great Grandma were there.  Henry is still the cutest thing, even though Marcus chopped his bangs in such a terrible way.  I've never had a kid cut their own hair but Henry looks like he did it himself.  Luckily it will grow back and Marcus is fired.  We sure love this boy and I love watching my older boys love him.  Henry brings out the softer side in all of us, except for when he's grumpy, and then the soft feelings are nowhere to be seen.  He is getting better at talking every day, he runs ridiculously fast and far for such a little guy, he takes amazing 3-hour naps daily (my saving grace), he refuses to sit in a high chair and will stop at nothing to get what he wants.

Landon and Parker turned 10 and 7 respectively.  Their birthday fell on Fast Sunday this year which usually means Landon doesn't eat breakfast, so Landon was thrilled when I told him he didn't have to fast. I think he thought this was the best gift ever.  I made them breakfast in bed (Star Wars waffles) but since we only have one tray, they even had to share that.  Luckily these two don't mind sharing as long as they get to do it together.  I have almost no pictures of their birthday but Landon was thrilled with his new lacrosse gloves and Parker got a fancy trick scooter.  I'm done buying Lego sets but Grandma and Grandpa S gave them each a Lego set so the boys spent the rest of their birthday in their room in Lego-assembling bliss.  The house was unusually quiet for a few hours as they worked like Santa's elves.  The icing on the cake was that Max and Sam, their cousins from Utah were here to celebrate all week. The party was non-stop.

Excuse the messy kitchen as you watch these clips.  The boys were so excited to eat cake that as soon as I finished frosting it they wanted to blow out their candles.  The best part is Henry yelling, "Happy Birthday" as he tries to sing along with us.  My niece Megan filmed for us.  I can't even begin to tell you how nice it was to have a temporary daughter in the house.  She even helped me make the birthday cakes!

Oregon Coast Part 2

I can't move on with the rest of our summer adventures until I finish up the OC recap, although with my recent trip to Arizona along with taking care of my sister's kids for a week, that vacation is starting to feel like a distant dream.

My brave boys running towards the freezing water to boogie board until dark

We had an intense corn hole tournament that Laura and I won (because everyone else left)

We did a 5-mile hike to see more ocean.  Next time I'm only going halfway and calling it good

Marcus was always eager to drive to the ranger station to take out the trash.  Gramps was happy to be his escort.

My boys can't get over the whole Richard/Dick name thing.  They laugh every time!

Getting ready for the nightly campfire/devotional at Grandpa's camp

Henry and Claire are just a few months apart.  They communicate with each other by pushing and crying 

We spent about five minutes at Haystack Rock.  Sometimes vacationing with a lot of people makes planning difficult

These two were the only ones willing to check out the tide pools with me.

Henry rocked the road trip

And I'm pretty sure Marcus took almost as many naps throughout the week as Henry did

Our campsite seemed to be the hang out place

Wet suits for the win!

Henry pushed cars down the handicap ramp countless times.  Apparently, I need a ramp at my house!

The Triplets getting all grown up

Cousins at the Octopus Tree 

Marcus is ready for fatherhood after hiking with sleeping Henry.  

Teenagers playing speed Rummikub late into the night

Marcus tempted fate and took my uncle's scooter out for a spin.

Last sunset

Volleyball on the beach for hours

Zack spent hours up in his hammock overlooking the campground 

Bubbles at sunset are gorgeous!

Marcus and Megan entertained us at the campfire

More beauty all around

After that photo overload, I just have to say that my most favorite moments weren't captured in pictures.  Landon slept in his own little tent outside our yurt and as a middle child who has never had his own room, his tent felt glorious to him.  He had it all set up just how he wanted things and slept great all by himself.
Another favorite moment was our impromptu glow stick parade around the campground after all the grandkids were decked out in glow sticks.  We looked pretty cool walking in the pitch blackness as we played The Greatest Showman soundtrack.  One guy stuck his head out of his tent, saw us, and said, "What the?!  Honey, you gotta come see this!"  I almost wet my pants from laughing so hard at us.
And my last favorite memory was when my uncle was assigning everyone partners for the corn hole tournament and he pointed to Marcus and said, "You!  Zero Percent Body Fat, You're with Body Fat!" as he pointed to Tyson, one of the Bingham men who is a big guy.  Hilarious!