Seaside, Tillamook and a 4th Birthday!

Oh my.

This was a trip that I had envisioned and wanted for well over a year. It was more fun that I could have hoped for and I really hope we can make this a tradition.

Seaside, Or was our first stop. Most of the pictures on the beach are of our first trip down to the water and I did not plan on getting all that wet, since it was late and I had my camera with me. Both Ryan and Kathryn did not want to leave, once they dug their feet into the sand and got to play in the waves. Kathryn was FEARLESS of the water and waves. She'd keep going deeper and deeper, not caring at all that the waves were knocking her over. We jumped waves, looked for sand dollars, dug sand castles. Ryan and I made "alligator island" by using a sand mold in the shape of an alligator and a moat around it. Memories I will cherish. No time schedule, there for just fun and spending time with my children. There is nothing to compare to seeing your child completely enjoy themselves, with not a care in the world.

Kathryn, just about to put her little feet in the Oregon coast water for the first time

Fearless and loving it

My Aunt Karol.

She and my Uncle Doug helped make this trip possible for us.

Karol watches the kids every Tuesday morning while I work.

She's a big part of our life and the kids ADORE her.

The next morning, headed to breakfast.

"Assisting" with the packing up

Ryan's birthday was the 26th of July. We had to leave Seaside that day, but didn't want to head home, so we planned a trip to Cheese Heaven - Tillamook Cheese Factory

Much fun, but a but busy and was hard to keep track of the kids.

Quite cool to see how they do this. Tillamook Cheese is a staple in our home - love the stuff!

"How old are you today, Ryan?"

Mountain Berry ice cream cone, as big as her head

She put a pretty good hurt on that cone

This boy is a chocolate fan, so "plain chocolate is what I want, Mom!"

That's what he got. And he finished that monster cone.

Outside the factory.

Any picture I get of my two together, makes me smile

A beautiful creek side stop for, "Mommmmmyyyyy, I have to po potty!!!"

That's how she says it.

We brought a little kids portable potty for this reason, I learned that lesson the hard way before the trip. We were doing a 45 min. drive and with a newly potty trained little one, being far away from a potty is not ok!

And the trip home. . .