The Beach

We were at Rockaway Beach, OR last week. It was a little bit of a drive, but well worth it! The girls got good and sandy, we had lots of beach time, even some fun in the waves time (although the water was extremely cold ... I'm talking frigid temperatures) ... we went swimming in the warmer indoor pool ... we saw the Tillamook Cheese Factory and had yummy ice cream. We got to visit with all the cousins and just have a good relaxing vacation.

It's nice to just get away for a week and have family time.

Here are some of the highlights:

Each day was pretty cloudy and overcast, especially in the morning, but we still had a good time. (I LOVED the fact that it wasn't too hot)

This is the view from our balcony ... I stayed in while Matt took the girls for a walk.

All the cousins playing.

The girls managed to actually find a message in a bottle ... which they were pleased about. (it didn't say anything too exciting ... and it turns out it was from the same beach of course)

Some of the brave souls actually went in the water ... Brielle wouldn't get out of it ... I don't know how they managed to stand it ... I got my feet wet a few times and it almost took my breath away it was so cold.The little girls seemed satisfied to just play in the sand.It was nice visiting with all of the family ... Siri's and Cori's families drove from UT ... all the cousins had a good time (of all the kids that were there, 16, only 4 were boys ... somehow we're heavy on the girls)The Tillamook Cheese Factory was just alright ... maybe a waste of time, I don't know ... but it was something to do, and the ice cream was yummy!Thursday, our last full day there, was actually a beautiful, not cloudy, warm day. It was fun to play on the beach and see blue sky.

It's actually really relaxing sitting, reading a book, and watching your kids play on a secluded beach.

The sand up by the rocks was actually hot, so the girls thought it was nice to lie around in. (they made "sand angels" ... which to me just sounds messy)They had fun flying a kite ... when the wind would cooperate.

These kids really had fun playing in the sand ...

This is where we stayed ... we were in the bottom, corner, left room (with the red cooler on the deck) ... it was nice being able to be right on the beach and seeing the view from the balcony in the morning and in the evening.We got a few good indoor pictures of everyone too. (I just thought that was the silliest face Quinten made)Whew ... that was a lot to post. (it took FOREVER) ... but we had a good time, and now you can see the proof! (plus, I'm using this as a journal, so for my own benefit I wanted to get it all in while it was still fresh)