For the third year running, we have been able to spend almost a week at Seaside courtesy of an administrator's conference Bryan attends. The kids don't know how lucky they are and have come to expect Seaside as part of their summer plans. We arrived on Tuesday and, just as soon as we unpacked, we headed to the beach.
The kids ran through the dunes...
and leapt for joy upon seeing the waves!
Then they took off running for the water
with their father in hot pursuit!
Dave and Vicki joined us Tuesday night. When BJ went to work in the morning, the kids and I headed to the beach for a bit of castle building.
At what age does it become troublesome to be covered in sand? Clearly it's not 3 and 5.
Mitch was delighted with the end product! Shan was cold so she and I returned to the condo and Dave joined Mitch to add a moat, play Frisbee, and splash in the waves.
We also hit up the Seaside Aquarium before naps. The kids were enthralled with the touch tanks this year. We actually visited three times over the course of our stay and the touch tanks ranked even higher than feeding the seals. Note Mitchell's shirt in the above photo.
Now look at it. He fell in the touch tank! I laughed so hard I nearly wet myself. Fortunately he didn't see me and so couldn't cry. No anemones were harmed...
Feeding the seals was also a big hit. Again, the grossed-out age has yet to hit because bloody pieces of herring with semi-attached guts did not even phase my kids.
The view from our balcony was incredible! By far this was the best room we've had in this condo complex - on the 6th floor oceanside. So worth it. Made me think about retirement to the seashore a la Miss Rumphius...
Grandpa and Mitchell bought kites for the kiddos during SJ's nap. Here they are with both in flight. The kites were small and easily manageable for the littles and we enjoyed them several times!
Wednesday night Bryan and I went to dinner sans kids, while they went out to dinner, the carousel, and ice cream with doting grandparents. It was wonderful to have time together and know that the others in the party were equally happy. When we came back to the condo,
there were nature's fireworks! We actually saw a beautiful sunset each night, but this one was, in the words of Oscar Madison, "the ever-loving lulu of all time!".
Come Thursday afternoon, after more beach play, even Mitchell succumbed to a nap!
Thursday night we went to Canon Beach, after a quick time at the conference's fun night followed by dinner at Mo's. This was the least-goofy picture I could get of these four. Just a touch hyper!
And our family enjoying the evening stroll.
Mitch was proud of this clam shell. The kids had fun finding shells this year, but happily did not collect them to bring home!
We scoped out the tide pools with mussels and starfish in abundance. It was a challenge to keep back from the off-limits areas after the kids were so used to the touch tanks! Still, no one fell in or got scolded so it was a success!
Canon Beach is Dave and Vicki's "happy place" and I know how they love to share it with family. We really enjoyed having them spend a few days with us and get some good grandparent time with the kiddos. They headed home Friday morning.
A bit of coerced affection.
Friday morning started off with a drizzle and grey skies so we returned to the aquarium. No one fell in this time. When we emerged from inside, the sun was breaking though!
Bryan's conference ended after naptime and we headed for the beach. It was crazy warm, not too windy, and perfect for more play in the surf and sand!
Another mammoth castle was built. We had a wonderful time together!
On the drive home Sunday, Multnomah Falls had a full lot so we couldn't stop. That turned out for the best because we made our inaugural stop at Bonneville Fish Hatchery. We fed the trout first off and it was hugely popular!
The white sturgeon were prehistorically awesome. This beast - Herman - is pushing 80 years old. He was amazing, and a touch gross.
Another posed shot next to Mitchell Creek and a lovely hydrangea. It was a special week together!
Happy Father's Day, Bryan!!!
