Rockaway Beach

For weeks before we left for the beach, the kids talked to my parents on the phone and made plans for what we were going to do at the beach. One day, my mom and B were talking about roasting hot dogs and marshmallows. B told my mom that we were bringing marshmallows, but who had the sticks? He said, "I can bring the sticks, I save my corn dog sticks (doesn't everyone? He seriously does, not kidding, he uses them for his art projects). My mom sustained her laughter long enough to let him know that they might not be long enough. She let him know that they had long roasting sticks at the house we were renting. Too cute! B so excited to finally be roasting!!

Proud boy, and he let me know his hot dog was, "DEEElicious!"

Princess Ellie.

We went to Cannon beach one day and had lunch at Mo's. Across the parking lot was this cool little park. We played there for a while and let the kids burn off some energy. I think Kent had as much fun as the kids. They had this cool contraption that you could spin on. It made me sick just watching, but Kent and the kids loved it!

Monkey girls.

Spinning and spinning.

How many people can fit on a tiny spinner?

This pic. is out of order, but I had to sneak it in because it is so dang funny. You can't tell very well (thank goodness), but Ellie has a bare bum. Every time we went down to the beach the kids got soaked! Finally on the last day I thought it would be a good idea to put their suits on. However, before that, their clothes were soaked! The girls ended up getting rashes from their diapers and legs rubbing together and chafing. On the walk back to the beach house I thought it would be more comfy if they were buck. They thought I was crazy, but it was a lot better for all of us, then I didn't have to carry them!

Working and working.

Every time Dani stepped onto the sand she would break out into giggles. It was the cutest thing, I think she thought the squishy sand felt funny.

Dani working and working, that bucket of water probably weighed more than her.

Ellie getting ready to load her bucket up with water. I think Brayden was in charge (surprise) and he had the girls hauling the water while he manned the sandcastle and dug the hole.

After seeing these pics. I know why B decided to stay near the hole and keep it safe. The girls thought it was great fun to destroy it and knock all the sand back into it. As you can imagine, B was not pleased after his trip back from the ocean with his water.

Ooooh, not so happy about his "naughty sisters!"

Hhmm, working together?? That's a new concept!

We had a great trip to the beach with Grandma and Grandpa we can't wait for next time!

I also was lucky enough to see almost all of the 'couve girls. I had a great, relaxing lunch with Lins, Kathy and Connor. AND a nice, long, relaxing dinner with Jocey and Sarah. Thanks for sharing all of your Uganda pics. Jocey. I loved catching up with you girls! I can't wait for our next trip to the 'couve! Sarah thank you so much for our special trip to OMSI, the kids LOVED it, and so did we!

Great-Grandma Wagener's house

On the way to the beach (not really on the way, since G-ma's is South of the beach) we stopped to visit my Grandma. She was thrilled to see the kids, since we hadn't seen her since Christmas. It was fun to watch the kids play with all the toys I remember having as a kid. It is amazing what great shape they are in, considering they went through my siblings and my cousins too! Dani was so snugly with Grandma, which is so unusual for her, it was really cute.

Big smiles from Dani and G-ma.

I even got snuggles from Dani.....

....and Brayden.

I love this pic! Brayden looks so old though.

Ellie wasn't being too cooperative, so this is the best pic. we got.

The whole gang with Great-Grandma!

G & G's House

After an almost 8 hour drive, we arrived and G & G's! Everyone was very excited, we had been counting down the days for weeks! One of the first things they did was hunt for "polliwogs" as my mom says (tadpoles). I thought this was the funniest thing, I never would have thought my mom would like to do this, but she was way more excited than the kids. YAY GRANDMA! They headed out to the little pond at my parent's house and Brayden swatted the net around in the water. This made the polliwogs dive for cover, and B couldn't understand where they all went. After lots of patience and more waiting, they finally caught quite a few. Some just had tails and some had two legs. The kids were fascinated! The plan was to watch them over the week to see how they changed, but we left for the beach and the jar was still sitting on the counter.....

For dinner the first night Mom grilled and we had corn on the cob. For some reason my kids have never had corn on the cob. I think it's because Kent won't eat it, because it gets stuck in his teeth and it drives him crazy.....I thought watching the kids gnaw on the corn was hilarious, they were chewing on the end for a while before they figured out how to eat it right. Here are a bunch of pics. I am such a dork, sitting at the dinner table, taking pics. of my kids eating. Who does that???

Brayden went to town on his.

Ellie was all about digging in!

Danielle thought it was pretty tasty and she felt like such a big kid!

Riverfront Park

A few weeks ago we headed downtown to Riverfront Park. We met Kent's brother, Kelly, and his family there, along with Unlce Pete, who was visiting from Florida. It was a hot day, but the kids were rarin' to go on the rides.

Ellie cruisin' on the bumper boats.

Uncle Kelly was trying to talk to Dani and this is what she did the entire time she was on the boat. Her head was down and she could not see a thing. This is the funniest thing because she will never look at Kelly! He tries to give her hugs and talk to her, but she won't have anything to do with him, BUT he is the one she talks about the most EVERYDAY! "Where's Uncle, Uncle's truck, Uncle at work." I don't get it, but it makes me laugh!


I refused to go on the ferris wheel, so Kent and Uncle Pete took the kids.

Brayden on the bumper cars ready to smash Dad and Uncle Pete.

Uncle Pete got the boys.....

...and Kent got to hang with all the pretty girls!