A beach in Oregon

We've been having some cooler weather around here, which I find refreshing after the heat in Washington and even here when we got back from our vacation.

However the mosquitoes are crazy bad this year!  I guess all the standing water from the slow melt this spring caused an itchy nightmare for us humans.

Anyway, whenever the outdoors here is a little painful, it makes me think of our little trip to Washington.  We had such a nice time being outside without the constant assault of mosquitoes.  

We ate a lot of our meals outdoors while the kids played either inside or out.

 

 We spent an awesome weekend with Dave's brother and his family in Tillamook, Oregon.

I just love these two guys ♥ 

This is the blissful view we got to look upon while eating.  It feels like peace itself to see it.

We got to attend the Tillamook June Dairy Parade, which was fun

The parade got started with a showing from the cheese factory.  We adore Tillamook Cheese and Ice Cream, so everyone was excited to see their display.

After the parade, we got some lunch and then they took us to the beach.  We haven't been to see the ocean for a couple of years and so we were all looking forward to it.  They took us to a beautifully secluded beach.  It was quite a walk to get there, but it was more than worth it.

 

So beautiful!

I adore this huge piece of driftwood.  Amazing.

It was a great landing space for all of our gear that was lovingly and masterfully packed by my sister-in-law.  I was completely inept at getting any good photos of her the whole weekend!  I will remedy that on our next trip.

Lydia slept the whole walk and most of the time at the beach (thank heavens I threw my wrap in the car...my arms couldn't have done it)

I was so excited for her to get to experience the water and sand, but she wouldn't get out of the wrap.  37lbs of pure sweetness was riding on me that day. 

 

The kids played like crazy in the water.  It was surprisingly warm for NW ocean water. 

 

The guys played some football

 

 

We had a really cool experience when a WWII era plane flew over us while we were out there.  The kids and Daddy's were waving at him.  

It was an F4F Wildcat.  This is the same type of airplane that was on the carrier the guys' grandfather worked on in WWII.  The USS Saratoga was one of the ships that happened to not be docked at Pearl Harbor that fateful day.

The next thing we know, we see this!

SO RAD!!

I'm nearly done with posts from our trip, but the reminiscing is too fun to give up just yet.  More to come.

Mount St Helens

Yesterday we went up to the Johnson Ridge Observatory at Mount Saint Helens.  It's about a 2 hour drive from here, and it was well worth it.

The beauty is breathtaking and the story of it's 1980 explosion fascinating.  The kids were enthralled the whole time.

 

I was only 2 1/2 years old when the mountain blew, but I remember the aftermath and it's legendary destruction well.  Seeing it as an adult made me appreciate the power of such a volcano, as well as the incredible ability of nature to regenerate.

 

My little family

My sister, Amber and her family

My parents with all 9 of their grandkids

 

 If you ever get a chance to go see Mount St Helens, you really should.  It's awe inspiring.

 

Leaving tonight

The kids and I are flying out tonight on a red eye to Portland, OR.  We're going to spend 3 weeks with the extended family.  Dave gets to join us later this week.  

I've grown very attached to interior Alaska, so while I'm looking forward to visiting the family, I'm going to miss our dear home and friends here.  We'll also miss the Summer Solstice where the sun lasts nearly 24 hours.

However, we are going to get away from the mosquitoes and have some dark nights again.  And see our friends and family.  And I get to shop!  You all know how I adore Target, Ikea and the vintage stores in the Northwest.  I can't wait!!

See you on the other side!

Anchorage Fun

We made it to Anchorage on Sunday night and have just been relaxing and getting to know this side of the base (they only had housing available for the week on Ft Richardson).  

There is a Starbucks within walking distance, so the kids and I go there late morning to get coffee and snacks (like their delicious cake pops!)

Laundry still has to be done 

(little tidbit...while at the mall this day, 2 separate groups of asian ladies just fawned all over Lydia, but upon finding out her age of 11 months, called her a "giant baby"-lol)

We've taken many walks in the bright sunshine 

Lydia got to swing for the first time.  The giggles and squeals were awesome.  She has no fear. ♥

There's a great climbing structure at a close-to-us playground.  The kids love it. Adin is tall enough to easily get to the top, which scares me a little, but I have to let go sometime...they love climbing

 (check out the gorgeous mountains in the distance!)

 

 We head back home tomorrow afternoon, so we'll be making another trip (or two) to Starbucks, Target and Kohls, just for fun :)