6 years + 2 kids = beach trip!

This past weekend we celebrated both our 6-year wedding anniversary (actually on June 11) and Father's Day by taking our family of four to the Oregon Coast for the weekend.  Our actual anniversary was spent at the funeral of a dear friend so this weekend seemed like a far better time to enjoy some time away.

Here we are six years ago:

June 11, 2005 ~ the beginning of the rest of our lives!

Weren't we cute?!

So fast forward to Friday, and we packed our car and drove west to stay at a beautiful house in Rockaway Beach owned by some good friends of ours.  And bonus, it was just one block from the beach access with beautiful ocean views from the balcony's.

Our beach house

The view from the living room balcony

Friday when we arrived it was in the 70's... sunny and perfect for hitting the beach - so after a quick lunch we packed up the kids, our kites and sand buckets and set out.  Upon spotting the sand and the waves Hayden declared he loved the beach house and wanted to stay there forever!!!  What a great afternoon we had; Elijah loved the sand, Hayden loved playing in the waves, we had fun finding sea shells, we flew kites, we built sandcastles and we relaxed.  It was the perfect day at the beach.

Ready to hit the beach

So excited to be here

First introduction to sand... and he's a fan!!

Professional sandcastle builder in the making!

Nothing beats wave jumping with Dad!

Practicing his surfing pose for the incoming waves

My water boy!

"Let's go fly a kite, up to the highest height, let's go fly a kite and send it soaring...."

Mommy's turn with the orange octopus

 

Checking out the waves

Such a happy boy

Playing with daddy

Burying Hayden in the sand

"I'm stuck.... HELP!"

Tired snuggly boy

We were here!

 

After enjoying the beach we discovered the Pirate Festival was in town complete with carnival so we walked around and enjoyed the sights and sounds and all the costumes.

Saturday, the beach remembered it was in Oregon and we woke up to rain, wind and much cooler temperatures.  Sigh.  So it seemed like the perfect day to go visit the Tillamook Cheese Factory, a first time visit for me and the boys.

Don't be deceived by this photo... I took this on Friday as we drove past. 

Ahhhhh yes... here it is on Saturday.  I liked the blue skies better.

"Really mom?  You're gonna make me pose IN THE RAIN??!!"  "Yes, Hayden I am... now smile!!!"

The Jelly Belly bus was visiting that day so between samples of their newest flavors, and then Tillamook's free ice cream samples (blueberry cheesecake), samples of some of their most popular cheeses (gotta love squeaky cheese!) and then lunch at their deli we rolled ourselves full and happy out of the factory a few hours later.

Our "Cheesy" family photo :)

Where the cheese making happens!

Tillamook ice creamery!

My cute boys

Free cheese samples... hello squeaky cheese... I love you!

Smiley fries from the deli cafe

 

Sunday morning was Father's Day so we went out to breakfast at a little cafe in town called Cowbelle.  The boys gave Dave their Father's Day card that morning and we had a nice relaxed meal together before packing up and heading back towards home.

But we couldn't go home without stopping by my parent's house for a Father's Day BBQ, and surprising Dave with his Father's day present.

Dave's own charcoal grill for the "authentic" taste he's been craving

"Surprise babe!"

 

Thanks Dad for putting it together for me while we were gone so it was more impressive than just the box!

It was a wonderful weekend from beginning to end and I feel so blessed to have such a wonderful family to share it with!

 Dave, Hayden & Elijah... you are my life and I love you with ALL my heart!