Great Big Summer Adventure Part 1

Here is part one of our 14 day family adventure. Our first destination was Astoria, Oregon and our final stop was the Red Woods Forest in Northern California. We had a fantastic time together as a family taking in the sites of the pacific coast line. We started the journey off a bit apprehensive not knowing how the boys would do sleeping in a trailer for that many days, but much to our surprise they did really well.

Happy faces excited and ready to roll

The Walmart parking lot, our campground on travel days. Hooray for free accommodations and 24-hour Super Centers (which by the way have SO much more selection then Canadian Walmarts)

Shipwreck Beach near Astoria

Baby's first day at the ocean. He took it in with all 5 senses!

A day trip to Longview, WA to eat at this restaurant. Dave had watched a show on the Food Network that talked about this restaurant and it's famous giant cinnamon buns. They did not disappoint.

Took us a week to eat through this baby!

Fort Stevens- Astoria,OR

On one of our trip to the water we met this family of raccoons

Hunting for star fish

Treasure found

Cannon Beach, by far one of our favorite beaches
This is how Cooper spent most of his time at the beach lying in the sand building roads with his machines. Needless to say he was always covered in sand by the end of the day.

Stay tuned for more to come!

We're Back!!

1 great big family adventure, 2 birthdays celebrated, 1 new nephew, 1 wedding, 2 family reunions and the list goes on......

We have been SO busy this summer that blogging has taken a backseat. But now we are back and can't wait to show you what we've been up to. So stay tuned there will be more posts to come!

True boy of summer: raspberry stained cheeks, fingers and clothes, dirty toes and a half eaten crab apple in hand.

A Family First

Yesterday, Dawson embarked on a new adventure, kindergarten! It was a day full of first for our whole family. First lunch packed, first rush out the door to make it to school on time and first day with only 2 little ones at home with mom. Dawson loved his first day of school and is eager to go back on Friday. For Dave and I it was a day of mixed emotions, as we are so excited to see Dawson grow and mature, but can't help but think about how only 4 short years ago he was toddling around our house in a diaper.

Dawson is attending a christian school that is a part of the public school system. He is in a class with 14 other students. His teacher Mrs. Donelda Shultz (Three Hills friends you will remember her as Donelda Urquart) is his teacher! Donelda and I have been friends since we were 12, so as you can imagined I was thrilled when we found out he was placed in her class! We feel incredibly blessed that Dawson has the opportunity to attend a school that supports the same beliefs and teachings that we try to live by in our home!

Here are a few pictures from yesturday:

Dressed and ready to go

Dawson with his friend Emiko

Showing off his locker

Lunchbox note