The Beach ~

A walk at sunset on our way to Oregon

We stopped at a fish hatchery and ladder on our way ~

Headin' to the beach ~

Yippee!

Max's first glimpse of the ocean

I know he was smitten...at least with the sand!

Chasing seagulls could occupy 100's of hours ~

Oh, the treasures waiting to be found ~

Annika loved clamming ~

Returning with their morning clam catch ~

Clam chowder!

Then, we were off to Marissa's dairy farm ~

oh the places we go!

A little boy's dream ~

barns and haystacks

Following the herd in for milking ~

All the kiddos got to help with milking.

While certainly it becomes tedious when it must be done

every day twice a day, it sure was fun to be able to help for a day!

My beautiful cousin, Marissa.

She keeps tabs on her four-year-old, takes care of the farm, milks the cows and goats, feeds the calves, all while toting her little cherub on her back AND remaining totally 

calm, cool and collected. 

A.MA.ZING!

Michaela, trying her newfound medical experience out on a cow.

She discovered their skin isn't quite as thin as a human's. 

A new beach we scoped out ~

The waves were awesome.....

....And the rocks and sealife were better!

It all began totally innocently, burying one another in the sand.  

Then, Daddy arrived.

Oh dear.

Eric's 1000 piece puzzle.

We actually persevered in putting it together!

Our favorite day...a full 15 hours of sunshine at last!

A new flying toy ~

Our littlest angel dancing away, 

Because sunshine and sand just makes you feel like twirling!

Working up the courage to dive in ~

Racing with Daddy

Soaking up the sun ~

So this was mean.

While Michaela napped, Annika and I lured gulls in with crackers.

Michaela was less than thrilled when she awoke from her beauty rest.

Annika hoping to catch a gull ~

Brothers ~

Max was excited til the water hit his toes.

The seal pup that joined the party for the afternoon ~

My silly Dom ~

Til we meet again!