Recap from Starbucks

If you check the last posts you will notice that they are all posted today, Sunday, August 7. We haven't had an internet connection, so to speak,for many days. So today we headed to Newport for lunch and Starbucks Wi-Fi. Tomorrow we leave our little paradise. It has been a lovely vacation and we would all love to stay longer, but funds are short, we miss our beds and our puppies, and work calls. So I leave with a photo recap.

Hanging in the trailer

We hit the beach first thing this morning. Boy was it chilly. After we got back and warmed up we decided that perhaps we should just hang out in the trailer today, napping, reading, playing, blogging. We need a little down time.

Tide pools and a starfish named Patrick

Boy, we couldn't get outa bed quick enough this morning. We junped in our clothes, grabbed our buckets and practically sprinted to the beach. The weather started out a little bit dreary but soon the sun came out. We roamed the beach for a couple hours looking in the tide pools and collecting shells. Grayson came upon a starfish flipped upside down on the beach. It was obvious it was dead, so we allowed Grayson to take it back to the trailer. She named him Patrick and he is currently drying in the sun. After the beach we regrouped, loaded in the truck and drove up to Newport to the Oregon State Aquarium. It was a lot of fun and both kids thoroughly enjoyed themselves. While the kids napped, Todd drove back to Newport and did some laundry. This is the life.

Cheese Marvelous Cheese

We headed south early and hit the Tilamook factory. Rather interesting how the entire town, which was quite small, smelled like cow manure. Herds of dairy cows dotted both sides of the highway for miles...and miles. The factory was immense. Very interesting. I found myself thinking to myself how awesome is it that this cool tour is free... and then it ended in the gift shop. We managed to leave with only one bag of squeeky cheese and a quart of ice cream. Finally we arrived at Seal Rock. All I can say is, it has been too long. This place is so peaceful. So beautiful. Can't wait to hit the tide pools in the morning.

Dreams of a beach house

Manzanita is a sleepy little beach town. The town itself is maybe two blocks long. Perfectly quaint. The kinda place we would one day love to call home. Many years from now, perhaps. For now our beach house is the "Morstein Family Fun Trailer", which is more than fine. And,the name aptly describes our little home away from home. We decided that today would be a beach day and Grayson wanted more play time with Max. So, we grabbed a quick lunch at the Bread and Ocean and headed to the beach. The kids played with their sand toys and flew a kite while I relaxed and read and Todd took a walk down the beach. Afterward, Grayson played with Max and then introduced herself to the next door neighbors. They are Chinese. She asked. :) The very nice couple have an adorable three year old son named Arron, who is also fascinated by our trailer. Tomorrow we pack up and head south to Seal Rock. Looking forward to it.

Down by the Seashore

Not much today. Went north to Seaside to check it out. Turned out the truck needed servicing, so Todd took the truck and the kids and I bought sand toys and headed to the beach. Seaside's beach was crowded and not nearly as pristine as Nehalem's, but the kids didn't seem to mind. Grayson and Todd bought kites, which they flew on the beach on our return to our campsite. Grayson made a friend across the road named Max and they became best buds rather quickly. Max and his folks are from Maine and are tent camping up the Coast for a couple months. Very nice people. Max is very interested in our trailer and wants to play in it. I have to keep shoeing the two besties out of the trailer. Grayson and Todd discovered a wonderful biking trail that they rode while the little dude was napping. We are having tons of fun. The weather has been awesome. Tomorrow we plan to drive the two miles to Manzanita and have lunch. After lunch more beach time.

Oregon Escape

We arrived at Nehalem on Monday afternoon after two days of driving. We were all beat, but after setting up camp we high tailed it out onto the beach. Paradise. Miles and miles of white sandy beach. Hardly anyone to share it with. We tiptoed into the surf. Giggles. Frigid. After a couple of waves, Greer tumbled. Brrrr. But, no tears, just chattering teeth. All was better after we stripped him down and sat him in the warm sand. Shall we say sand everywhere? No plans. Just relaxing. Enjoying the ocean, the sand and each other.

Terrible Two...We hope not!

Since there was some question as to Greer's real birth date, we have gone with the date the Ethiopian government put on his birth certificate. July 9, 2009. So, on Saturday, the ninth, we had cake. Nothing more. He is too young to comprehend the significance of the date, but definitely understands the significance of cake. BB and Papa Joe were here, so we sang the song and ate the cake and played in the sand box...his gift. The sand box is a huge hit. Hours of enjoyment. We have discovered that sand in Greer's hair is a bit of a mess. Shall we say, power wash until the curls go straight.

Going back to June and the Swingset

Though I am getting totally out of order, I thought it proper to post about the swingset. Ya see, In my childrens' hearts it is sooooo very special and important. Grayson wanted a swingset. We promised one. In February, for her 6th birthday, we told her that as soon as school got out she would have her swingset. So, in June, we purchased the most amazing swingset money can buy. It is massive, and took a full three days to complete. The huge smiles and hours of fun have made the anguish of the huge build totally worth it. They love it!!

The 4th "near" the Lake

I say near because, though we had intended to be "on" the lake, we weren't quite. I blame it on T. Despite my constant nagging, he failed to make a reservation for a campsite for the 4th until it was too late. When he did get around to it, we were left with only one option. That option sounded good in theory. It was in Woods Bay on the lake. It was in Woods Bay and did have access to the lake but that access was through a neighborhood and was a very small shared beach. Nonetheless, we loaded up the trailer with kids and dogs and headed out. Though it wasn't what we had expected, and nothing at all what we had dreamed of, it was fun family time. We are loving our new trailer!