(Another) Day at the Beach!

Today we decided to head on down to Newport for the day. Finally we were on our way at 9:30. We twisted and wound our way down the road to Newport. Finally the ocean is in view! That is probably one of our favorite moments, when you can finally see the ocean! We made our way through town down to South Beach State Park. After parking we loaded ourselves up with all the trappings of a fun beach day and headed onto the beach. Not only was it windy it was blustery, gusty, and brisk! We got the kite up for a little bit

and managed to make it through most of a quick lunch before decided to pack it in and head over the the Hatfield Marine Science Center for a while. With the thought that we would head back to the beach in a couple hours, when it, hopefully, warmed up some. So we walked around the Science Center checking out the octopus, fish,

and various other displays.

There is this one tank that has a "cave" on the backside where you can peek through the fish tank, I was able to snap a picture of each kid peeking through the fish tank at me!

We also spent a little time watching part of a documentary on Blue Whales. We visited the Bullfrog and Turtle again, finishing up by browsing the gift shop. We found each kid a small little marine animal to take home. Dylan got a shark and Ally got a Seahorse. We had finally exhausted Hatfield and decided to try and give the back another go. This time we wrapped ourselves up in layers of sweatshirts and coats and headed down again. It was definitely warmer and so we crashed into the sand and let the kids go nuts building,

digging,

and getting buried!

Wow were they sandy! While they were playing we got to see some horses go by

and also a couple of guys kite-boarding!

We played for about an hour the decided it was time to head on back. After changing into less sandy clothes we got settled and heading back to reality.

Riding in a "Cherriot"

Today we went down to Keizer to ride in the Cherriot's bus that Poppa Mike was driving in the Iris Festival Parade. The kids were REALLY excited we got to Poppa and Grandma's then walked the rest of the way down to where the bus was parked. We got there and the kids went crazy running around the bus and practicing their parade waves. We got pictures of them posed in the drivers seat (and me too!!)

and being silly running around the bus.

Then we sat...

and waited.....

and waited.....

and waited some more.

Finally after sitting on an inanimate bus for almost an hour and a half we got to get moving! The kids were so excited to get to wave to people and were constantly moving to different seats for a different view and to wave to different people!

The parade lasted about 45 minutes or so, then Poppa expertly maneuvered us back to the corner across from their apartment so we could head back and out to get some lunch. It was such a fun day and the kids had a blast. Plus in a few weeks they will get to be in another parade...stay tuned for the fun!

Shaggy goes Short!

Today I chopped Dylan's hair. I was a nervous wreck....I have never in the past had a problem cutting his hair but about 8 months or so ago he decided he wanted to grow it longer. So I have been taking him in to get it cut. Well I think he was fed up with it and didn't want to deal with it anymore and he REALLY wanted Mommy to cut it. So I got out the clippers....I cut off about 2.5 inches.....but it turned out cute on him....he is so versatile. And its a great cut for the summer! Before

What 2.5 inches of hair looks like in a pile!

After

Walking in the Clouds.....

My parents invited us to take a hike up to Mary's Peak today so about 9:30 we headed out. It was as pretty quick drive until you get to the turnoff to go up the mountain. So we slowly twisted and turned our way up up up up the road. About 1/3 of the way up there was a waterfall runoff so we pulled over to let the kids stretch their legs and to take some pictures. They posed very nicely in front of the waterfall

then they were off climbing, throwing rocks, exploring what they could.

We hung out here for about 15 minutes or so then loaded back up and headed back up the winding twisting road. Just before we got the the top there was one more waterfall so Grandma Jo and I hopped out and took a couple shots.

Finally we reached the top! We got the can parked, Poppa got our day parking pass, got our coats on, and cameras ready to go. We took picture of the kids in the snow drifts that still dotted the hillside

then it was time to hike! We hiked up the first part, which got a little steep at times but the kids just plowed right on.

We reached the first plateau and took time to look around and see how far we could see.

We then continued across the field and started up the less steep, partially snow covered, gravel road all the way to the top...

right before we got to the top the kids discovered this "cave."

After some tears and cries from Ally about how her legs are "too short," we finally made it all the way to the top. You could see so much! Off in the far west the waves of the ocean were just visible,

green to the south and the east,

but unfortunately it was a bit too hazy to see any of the mountains. After hanging out at the top and snapping a picture with the 5 of us courtesy of the faux gorilla.podd

we made our way back down to have a late lunch. we had a leisurely lunch in the car then decided to head on home. We stopped one last time at the waterfall on the way out at the request of the kids. It was a beautiful relaxing fun day!

Firemen Day Open House!

I noticed the last couple times I ventured into Lebanon that the Firehouse on Oak was going to be have a Fireman's Day Open House today. We decided what the heck lets go check it out. I was not entirely sure what it was going to be, but it turned out to be TONS of fun! We got there and they had all the trucks out and on display. Inside the station they had lots of tables set up with coloring sheets, stickers, tattoos, and pencils for the kids to fill a bag with to take home. Also inside there was actual firefighting gear for the kids to try on. The only way I could get Dylan to try was to tell him how much Daddy would love to see the pictures of him. He got to try on boots with the pants and a real fireman's helmet, which he informed me was, "really heavy!" Next we headed outside to check out some of the fire trucks. I got the kids to pose in front of one, then we noticed there was a line of people waiting to get a ride on a fire truck!!! We hopped right in line and luckily it stopped raining while we waited for our turn to ride. In all honesty I was probably at least as excited if not more so then the kids!! As we were waiting they were starting to get stuff put away, the kids got to see them lower the HUGE ladder on the ladder truck. Then we realized how close we were to the front and I told Dylan to give me his excited smile.....Finally it was our turn and we were very first in line so we got to ride in the front seat! I got the kids all settled on my lap and wrapped the seat belt around us. Then we were off! We drove around a big loop and as we were coming back up to the fire station the firefighter turned on the outside lights and flipped the sirens. Before we got out I asked the fireman to take a picture of us, I look like a TOTAL dork because I was trying to explain how to take the picture....then SNAP! We hopped down out of the truck and it was really starting to rain so we decided to pack it up and head over to hang out with the cousins. What a blast!