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Beach Bums . . . . Saturday July 18th

Haystack Rock . . . it was gorgeous sunny & hot (little windy). The clouds arrived shortly after we did....but really didnt affect anything.

We have arrived!! Super low maintenance packing for this day trip. Each kid brought one toy. Elijah brought a lightweight bouncy ball. Nolan chose a wooden truck to haul sand in. Darla grabbed a giant empty ice cream bucket to build castles with & collect all their beachcombing finds in.

NOTE: We determined day trips to beach are way less work to prepare for then spontaneous camping up on the Mtn. More beach trips are in our very near future!

We only forgot: sunglasses. . . . I got a headache from squinting all day and Nolan forgot a sweatshirt.

And they are off! Running straight to the ocean w/ mama & papa joining them.

The ocean was not too cold at all. It was actually refreshing. Not the normal numb legs etc.,

Above shows the kids digging to find the water that lies beneath the sand that Papa told them about. They never found it - neither did Papa. It was actually hilarious because this other family down a little ways from us dug a hole so deep the dad could stand in it & it was up to his waist. The kids thought for sure they wouldve found water - - - -we peeked & NOPE! Our kids gave up at that point. haha

Nolan was annoyed that when he dug out an area for a moat around his castle & poured water into it . . . that the water would just dissapear soaked into the sand. He then turned almost all his interest into the SEAGULLS! He was fascinated with them & was determined to catch one.

Here below is our honey of a girl enjoying a moment alone with her loving papa . . . Sunset getting closer.

Nolan in one of Darla's shirts since he got his 2 shirts soaking wet. . . peaceful play. Elijah squinting like mama from the windy sand blowing about & the sun shining from the Horizon. We decided to enjoy the southern end of Seaside for the sunset.

$40 in gas rountrip, which included a ton of extra sight-seeing, new homestead dreaming in Mist, OR area . . . and our long daytrip to the beach was AWESOME!!!!

Payton had to work, unfortunately, but Alan, the 3 youngest & I played all day & night. We drove back after we watched the sunset.

While Payton & Papa at work.... we head to Trillium Lake

Only fifteen miles from our home lies this gorgeous trout-stocked lake . . . with magestic Mt Hood in the backdrop. I still insist we live in one of the most gorgeous areas. Oregon has it all: beaches, rolling farmlands & wineries, rich fertile valleys, mountains, forests, lakes, rivers, hoppin' cities, & deserts for people who like those types of things.

I am not used to this "new to us" camera.

A professional photographer actually asked to borrow our little spot to take up close photos of this family of ducks that were completely unphased by my busy kids playing alongside them. It grew a little annoying because my kids were waiting to resume playing. But patiently we waited & then he left us to our spot again.

So once we shooo-ed the duckies away I grabbed the only fishing pole we brought & cast out into the beautiful lake waters for Elijah . . . only to discover the reel/handle was broke. I had to manually wind the fishing line bobbin thing to retrieve the line. It took a while. I stood their puzzled about how it became dismantled & then Darla & Nolan ended the mystery. They both explained "What?! It wasnt broken. Before we left we were practicing fishing with it in the living room." Ah-hah...another item to join the pile on papa's work bench "to be repaired." Elijah was very bummed & had no interest in swimming in the lake like the other two kids. I promised to take him back soon, with a fully functioning fishing pole this time.

B is Boys & Basketball

Our boys & their never-ending love of the game . . . BASKETBALL

Dinner Beneath The Stars

Well some of the kids called it a garden party - some a starry night dinner . . . whatever you want to call it I suppose. . . .

Kids planned a random menu which I agreed to prepare for their special event:

Potatos like jo-jo's

Corn on the cob

Mellon Balls (cantelope)

Waldorf Salad (which Ive never made before)

The kids also had some huckleberries they picked inside a purple box which they munched on.

They set the table all by themselves, even brought out the food, & even dished the plates for Papa & Payton. Mama skipped this party, taking a bath & drinking tea.

Papa started a fire in the chiminea so they could also roast some fancy flavored marshmallows for dessert.

Darla's 1st Time Away From Home

What: 5 nights away at Camp!!

How: Darla's friend, Tierra. Tierra's grandparents treat all their grandkids each summer to Christian camp + each grandkid gets to select 1 friend to accompany them. Darla was the lucky girl chosen. What a blessing this is!

When: Sunday 7/5 - Friday 7/10

Where: Eagle Fern Youth Camp (I grew up right up the road from the place, never got to camp there myself, but worked/volunteered at the camp. So I knew Darla was going to have a blast!)

Darla was soooo excited to go (of course). Neither Darla nor Tierra were accustomed to being away from their parents overnight for so long....I think the mom's struggled the most. Cute story the camp counselor shared was Tierra was kindof crying at night missing her mama (the 1st night), and Darla climbed up to her bunk & whispered to her friend "Can I pray with you?". Darla prayed for her friend & it helped.

Some of Darla's favorite activities while at camp were horseback riding & rock climbing.

Their cabin had built in bunk beds that were 3 beds high. Tierra picked the very top & Darla was in the middle bunk. These were some super tall bunkbeds.

Sorry

Blog will be updated soon - promise. Have a camera now but have yet to upload any tpics o the computer. Been busy with many projects.

Arent my sisters beautiful?

Praise God Baby (niece) & Mama Healthy

Ultrasound taken today of my beautiful & HEALTHY niece-on-the-way:

My sister reports her & her baby are healthy! Thank you for the prayers!

Please Pray For Niece-On-The-Way

I have very little information but my sister Lena & husband Brian are expecting a baby girl in Oct-Nov & are asking for prayer. They are asking for prayer for their baby girl's health & no complications. They have another upcoming ultrasound to get more information. All was well but apparently something has happened to stir concern, so please please pray for God's divine protection of this baby girl & peace for the family as they await more information.