Yurting 2014

A few weeks ago {almost a month ago by now} we went camping for the first time ever with both kids. We went to Fort Stevens State Park and camped in a yurt. We went with five families, {friends from college and when we lived in Portland} they all had yurts too. We all have two kids so there was 10 kids four and under!

Growing up, we camped all the time. That was our vacation, we would go for a week or longer at a time and we camped all over Oregon, from the coast to Eastern Oregon. All my memories of camping as a kid were great, fun memories. When we camped with my grandparents, my grandma would help my cousins and I put together a little program for my mom, dad, aunts and uncles. We were called the camping cousins, {that's something that needs a post of its own} we had a blast. 

But, let me be honest, the days leading up to us leaving for our first yurting adventure, left me a little um... unsure. Camping is a. lot. of. work. period. All the gear, the packing, the food preping and so on. I had decide before we left that if once we got there it wasn't worth the work, then we'd wait a few years more before the kids got older and then maybe try again. 

But.... we had SO MUCH FUN!! And I honestly wasn't ready to come home! The kids loved it! Blake loved being outside all the time, able to ride is bike, play in the sand/dirt whenever he wanted, having campfires, being with friends we don't see that often, food always tastes better camping, sitting around the campfire once the kids were in bed playing crazy games and laughing while eating s'mores, scaring away {or possibly trying to trap} a {very over weight almost too friendly} squirrel who the kids named Cakey, going for bike rides, playing at the beach and getting soaking wet and covered in sand, it was all, so fun! 

Our little home away from home

 Three families had yurts in a row and two families had them across the street.

We made a meeting spot in the middle and ate together

 Lily loving a s'more

We checked out the old bunkers

 We went for a bike ride

 We played on the beach!

The kids

The whole gang!

Bartlett Beach Trip 2014

A few weeks ago, the last weekend of Spring Break, we headed over to Lincoln City for a little vacation with the Bartlett side of the family! This was the third time in the last four years that we have gone. It's always a great time! This year, there was lots of UNO playing, beach walking, treasure hunting, outlet shopping, Mo's eating and fun!

So excited we made it to the beach!

 Checking the out the ocean with Papa Don

 Playing some dominos with Lizzy

 Blake's UNO face

{he learned how to play UNO!}

Sharing some Mo's chowder, yum!

 Walking on the beach

{we had to take advantages of any break in the rain to get out on the beach!}

 It was definitely rain boot weather

Mama and Lily

Looking for treasure!

 Found the treasure!

Blake and Aunt KK

 Can't go to the beach with out getting some DQ!

 Stories with Nana before bedtime

 Playing play-doh with Papa

 Building sandcastles 

 Saying good-bye to the beach until next time!

The weekend was so much fun, that they both slept the whole way home!

Beach Trip 2013

A couple weekends ago {Easter weekend, the last weekend of spring break, to be exact} we had a little vacation over to Lincoln City with Russell's side of family. It was fun weekend full of playing on the beach, eating good food, wedding prep {my sister-in-law Kacie is getting married in June and she brought the wedding invites for us to help put together and I had the privilege to take their engagement pictures!} and some outlet shopping. And we had BEAUTIFUL weather the whole weekend... sunny and warm! {for the Oregon Coast}

We started our trip by going to the Oregon Aquarium.

This boy was sure happy with his hot cocoa for the car ride over and then McDonalds for lunch.

Checking out the "passages of the deep"

Lily enjoyed seeing all the fishies too!

Enjoying a yummy lunch at Mo's. When visiting the coast this is a must for us!

Lily sat in a high chair {at a restaurant} for the first time! {yes, there is a tear in my eye, she is growing up too fast!}

 Walking to the beach for some kite flying fun!

Like I said, the weather was beautiful!

 Friday night we dyed Easter eggs, since it was Easter weekend after all.

 He is a cheese ball.

Future brother-in-laws

 Wedding invitations in the making!

 Blake found a treasure on the beach! 

{Don hid a glass ball, the kind that are hidden on the beach that are really hard nearly impossible to find, for Blake to find}

 The guys

 Lily's first time on the beach!

 Seriously beautiful.

Nana Pam and Lily {Lily was not a fan of the wind}

All that fun on the beach tuckered her out!

Since we woke up Easter Morning at the beach the Easter Bunny made a stop by the beach house!

 Checking out his Easter loot

 Hunting for Easter eggs and checking out the Easter Bunny's foot prints!

 And while doing that we saw a real bunny! What are the odds of that?!

One last stop at the beach before we all headed home.

And this is what Blake did when we said it was time to leave... 

It was a fun, great, relaxing weekend! Looking forward to going again!

{Here is our beach trip from two years ago}