Oregon Coast

So...update on us. We found out a couple of weeks ago that Joe will be losing his job in June. :( We are bummed about it, but faithful that everything will turn out just fine. We are looking into our options and trying to figure out what is best for our little family. While it is stressful, we are sure that everything will be for the best. If you happen to know of any good computer job openings, we would love to hear from you. :) That being said, let's get on with the good stuff! We just got back from a wonderful week at the Oregon coast! It has always been one of my very most favorite places to visit (probably because I prefer cold beaches over hot ones, hehe). We went with my parents, Donnetta and James (sister-in-law and nephew), and my good friend Charisse. It was so great. I will let the pictures speak for themselves!

Disclaimer #1: I uploaded a BILLION pictures to this post. I would usually split this up into multiple posts, but just didn't have the energy. You'll just have to get comfortable and enjoy! Hey...I have over 400 shots of the week, just be grateful I didn't post all of them!

Disclaimer #2: I seem to have put my camera on a dark setting for some of these pictures. Sorry about that!

We loved the tidepools near our beachhouse. Here is Ammon (11) getting up close and personal with a starfish

Joe threw a jellyfish back into the ocean that we found washed up on the beach. Later he thought that maybe it was just part of a jellyfish, but regardless we saved it, lol.
James (12) and Hannah (9) checking out the previously mentioned jellyfish.

I love the next couple of pictures of my nephew James.

Joe and I walking hand in hand along the beach...ahhh, so romantic. :)

Hannah insisted that I include this picture. She loved the shots where her hair was blowing in the wind, lol.

Finding treasures

We had a lot of rain. :)

We were also blessed with some sun

Charisse and Nana

Lizzie (7)

Donnetta and James

Emma (5) and her nana

I was walking down the beach with Hannah one day telling her stories about the times I had visited the Oregon coast when I was a kid. She turned to me an said..."I can just imagine that some day I will be here with my own little girl and I will be able to tell her about when I came here too." It was a sweet moment for me. THAT is why family vacations are important!

Charisse brought a kite and my kids had a good time flying it.

Charisse helps Emma fly the kite

I loved this picture of Lizzie. Bummer that it is so dark. :(

See if you can spot Ammon's kite

Donnetta and James check out the tide pools

My kids love to brag about how their grandpa is a scientist (although they now sigh and say..."too bad he's retired" hehe). He is their guide for most outdoorsy things

My 11 year old baby

James (12) and Ammon (11)

Hunting

Hannah and Lizzie in the tidepools

Donnetta, Nana, Emma, and Charisse walk in the chilly wind

Caleb (3) and Lizzie (7) in the beachhouse

Emma (5) LOVES Charisse.

Donnetta with Bekah. It is great to go from two parents vs. six kids to five adults vs. seven kids!

Tillamook Cheese Factory

Charisse and Hannah (9) were partners at the cheese factory

Ammon, James, and Donnetta

Enjoying that famous Tillamook ice cream!

Off to see the Heceta Head lighthouse in the rain

Let's just say it was a very quick trip to this particular lighthouse

Joe and Bekah (17 months) were troopers for they knew that I love lighthouses

Emma (5), Nana, Lizzie (7), Hannah (9), Caleb (3), and Charisse

Joe and Bekah at the whale watching station

Ammon (11) searches for whales. He was bummed to only see their spouts, but it still thrilled me!

Bekah (17 months) and Grandpa seem to have spotted each other

Lizzie was a mini-mom, taking tons of pictures with the digital camera she got for Christmas

James smiled for me. :)

I actually caught a shot of the lighthouse with the light on

Caleb (3) and Bekah (17 months) checking out the view

Cool girl Hannah

All of those kids belong to me! Here we are at the aquarium

Everything was very interesting to my Caleb

My beautiful, braided girls!

Ammon (11) and Lizzie (7) get hands-on

In the center, among all the strangers you can see Emma Sue (5) touching a starfish. Charisse is helping her

Hannah (9) and Lizzier (7) check out the jellyfish

We liked the sign. It seemed to fit

Ammon (11) and Hannah (9) check out the marine life beneath their feet

Passages of the Deep

Joe faces down a shark at the aquarium

For the first time in known history, we allowed the kids to pick something special at the gift shop. They were DELIGHTED. I was honestly surprised at how happy it made them.

Here we all are at the Yaquina Bay Lighthouse. My parents weren't there because they were able to go visit my mom's cousin and uncle (and aunt?)

Charisse helped Joe and I take our four oldest kids up to the top of the lighthouse (the younger two were too short to be allowed)

Lizzie (7) said this is how she felt after climbing up to the top of the lighthouse (she says she is afraid of heights)

This sign said something cool or some such thing. Joe insisted on taking a picture of me next to it (and a child insisted on being in it with me)

Joe with Hannah (9)

If you look past that cute baby belly, you can see all six of my sweeties

Joe and I in front of a minature lighthouse...I LOVE lighthouses!

At the visitor's center, Joe created a "leash" for Bekah

The Boyer fam

How did I get so lucky?

Mama and the kids on a hunt for fresh salt water taffy...mmmm

In addition to Bekah's small umbrella stroller, we decided to rent a double for Emma and Caleb at the Portland Zoo. It was MUCH more peaceful that way. :)

The gang ready to check out the zoo

Emma (5) and Caleb (3)

Lizzie (7) is almost as big as that bear

Emma (5) and her grandpa