Our Trip to the Oregon Coast

We decided to take a family vacation to the Oregon Coast over Labor Day Weekend. We stayed at Isaac and Lindsey's the first night and the cousins picked right up where they left off as usual. It was fun to see Eugene with them and we stopped by a fun Doughnut shop and park too. Then the next morning we headed off to Newport, Oregon to see the Ocean. (WARNING: this post contains a ton of pictures because we had a lot of fun and I didn't want to leave any memories or any of the kid's reactions out). The drive was beautiful with all of the trees. Once at Newport our first stop was Nye Beach. This was the first time the kids had ever seen the ocean so it was a neat experience for them. Every time we pass a lake/river, Payton always used to ask us if that was the ocean because he just couldn't imagine what it really looked like. Now he knows.

Family Picture

Payton was surprised with the waves and the loudness of the beautiful ocean.

Taylor was cute. He would just take off and explore all on his own.

Taylor and his bare feet. It was so fun to see his little feet pitter pat all across the sand.

Taylor loves the outdoors.

Kenzie had a sliver on her foot and refused to walk when we first got there, but later she fell in love with the sand and the beach and looking for sea shells.

Payton was quite the adventurer. He loved everything about our trip.

Another family photo.

Silly feet.

This is a funny picture of Taylor. His face is so cute and he was having such a great time on the beach.

After playing on the beach for a while we grabbed some lunch and headed to the Oregon Coast Aquarium. I think the main hit was the tunnel filled with sharks, sting rays, etc. The looks on all of the kids faces says it all. They were amazed!!

Pure excitement!

It was fun to watch the kid's reactions to things that they have never seen in real life but they knew existed.

Looking at the sharks.

Wow!

A cousin picture, the best we could do anyway.

Payton and McKenzie touching the star fish and different sea life. Payton was unsure at first, but gave it a try. Kenzie on the other hand could have been there all day and loved how the "Green" ones would "KISS" her finger.

Kenzie and Kason on the sea turtle.

Later we found another beach that had a lot of fun sand dunes (Agate Beach) and let the kids play again.

This time McKenzie was up for walking (we fixed her foot aka the magic of band aids). She was so excited to run around and play in the sand and water this time, as she was screaming and laughing with joy.

Funny little girl.

Payton was a different story. He has NO FEAR. It didn't matter how cold the water was or if it was breezy outside, this kid would go deep into the waves and loved to run into them and away from them. Needless to say, he was always a dirty kid when we left the beach.

Exploring in the ocean.

The next morning we went down to the docks and heard the loud sea lions barking. This was a thrill for the kids (Especially Payton as he instantly fell in love with sea lions and has been talking about them since. He even suggested to his soccer team that THE SEA LIONS could be their team name.)

The sea lions.

Watching the sea lions from the docks.

Kenzie girl.

We also went on a boat ride in the ocean. The kids were excited to meet the captain and kept asking where he lives and all about him before we even got there. We saw a whale and jelly fish along the way. The kids never complained about getting sea sick, but Mckay and I felt it more (probably just because we had to help the kids and were constantly bending over and doing things for them, so we couldn't just sit and enjoy the fresh air.) It was nice when we made it back to solid ground!

Later we went to the Lighthouse and some nearby tide pools. We had to get creative with the stroller when all the kids got tired of walking. They were such troopers on this trip (thank goodness for GOLDFISH and other snacks).

These two are great friends.

McKenzie was looking everywhere for more sea life to touch. This was her thing!

Back at the beach on our last night there.

McKenzie also loved digging in the sand and finding sea shells. By the end of the trip she had filled her pocket with broken pieces of shells and I could tell that she hated passing any up along the way.

The kids had such a great time.

Fun with DAD.

Taylor was such a pleasant boy this whole trip...it was great.

The Sand Monster...covered from head to toe!

Kids feet, any guesses on which ones are Payton's?

Wrestling in the sand.

Happy little girl.

Brotherly LOVE!

Payton wanted to be covered in sand.

Mckay and I were talking about how we are sad that our trip came and went so fast and that is was one of our favorite vacations thus far. We loved watching the kids be so delighted and excited with the new experiences the ocean and beach had to offer. I love being a parent and having kids to enjoy life even that much more. This was a trip we will never forget!!! It was such a neat experience to share as a family. Now we just have to figure out when we can go back again!

One last clip of the kids at the OCEAN. (Hope you don't mind tilting your head)

Soccer Player

Isn't he cute!? Payton had his first soccer practice last week and he has been having a great time. It is fun to watch him learn and grow. I am looking forward to cheering him on during games and encouraging him to do his best.

Kicking the ball around.

Go Payton!

My Better 1/2

Yesterday was Mckay's 30th Birthday! He has been working hard at work with upcoming deadlines, so we have been missing him a little more than normal lately. I appreciate all the hours and hard work he puts in to support our family. I find myself at a loss for words at times when talking about Mckay because I feel as if I can't do him justice in expressing just how much I love him and how much he means to me and the kids. Even little Taylor runs to the door yelling "Daa Daa", when he hears Mckay is home (it is an outward expression of how we all feel when DADDY is finally home). Mckay is truely my best friend and even though the kids and I spend a lot of time together without him, he completes us and makes us even more happy. He really is my better half and makes me want to try even harder to be a better person.

We picked Mckay up for lunch and renewed his driver's licence (Exciting huh), durning his lunch break. Then when he got home we ate Ribs for dinner and I made his favorite cake to share with a few close friends. Mckay got a new Smoker and I am looking forward to what different things we will be able to cook up with it. He also got a new BSU shirt (pictured below). He just loves this time of year and all it's college football goodness!! I think it is almost as much fun just watching him and see how much he gets into the games (Anyone who has watched an intense game with Mckay knows what I am talking about)!!

The handsome Birthday BOY, eating his cake and ice cream.

This week McKenzie started a fun little Preschool Co-op with several little kids in the ward. She has been soooo excited for a while now, so far so good and she is loving it. I didn't even get to properly kiss her goodbye before she was making herself at home and taking her shoes off inside, after we managed to get a few pictures taken. She is such a joy in our family and it is fun to watch her do things that she loves.

Pretty in pink!

Walking to Preschool.

Here are a few of the kiddos (missing 2 other boys at the time though). Looks like a fun group of kids!