Cape Perpetua

When we left Chicago, we had to be up by 3AM to park at the shuttle service and make it through ticketing for our 5AM flight. The girls slept a bit here and there, but by the time we rolled into Waldport, we'd been up for almost 24 hours and everyone collapsed into bed. Much of our first day on the Oregon coast was spent just catching our breath, exploring the beach house, and reacquainting ourselves with old friends.

The beach house.

Tide pools are best seen at low tide which was going to be later and later every day we were there, so we did make it a priority to see those in the early evening. It was kind of perfect because the day's beachgoers had gone home for dinner so there weren't many people. 

My interest in the tide pools was rather short-lived due to the smell, and the fact I can trip and fall on a perfectly even surface, much less unstable rocky formations. I have to admit was pretty cool to see so many different colored starfish though!

Kids+Beach=Fun

Something as simple as running towards the receding surf only to run away as it rolls back in is enough to invoke squeals and screams:

Brigitta's favorite thing to do at the beach is cover herself in sand: either by making "sand angels", or by burying her legs, or just plain rolling around in it. What's truly remarkable is she does it in such a way that it's impossible to remove. That sand becomes like cement and I work up a sweat getting her cleaned off. A full week after a trip to the beach I still find sand in her scalp and around her ears. It drives me crazy, but she's so happy. 

The water was warmer in the shallow parts and that's where Sydney lived.

This was the vacation part of vacation for me. I wasn't worried about the next thing on the itinerary or busy managing kids. Everyone was just content hanging out. Brent and I could breath in the salty sea air and just soak it all in.

We've traveled all over the place with these fine people. I love that we all understand Dave doesn't like to caravan and his group will likely leave for pretty much anything first. I love that we can count on Katrina to make something delectable I've never had before. I love that Janeal will apologize for everything and anything even though we've all tried to break her of the habit. I love that Sara always looks calm and serene- even when she's surrounded by chaos. I love the random conversations and the deep conversations. I especially love how everyone is a purposeful parent and trying their level best to be a good individual.

This is my tribe. This is my squad.

Once the kids were tucked in bed for the night, we laughed ourselves sick playing this game:

It's a pretty simple game: you read nonsensical cards while wearing this mouthpiece and try to get your team to say it correctly.

Brent and I loved it so much, we actually ended up buying it once we were back in Chicago (they have small mouthpieces for kids). I can't wait to introduce them to it!