Road Trip 2012 Part II...

I now present

Gunn's at the Ocean~

We spent 3 days on the Oregon Coast with my extended family.  A reunion of sorts.  Around 45 of us or so.  When we first arrived we headed straight for the beach.  It was late in the day, so not exactly warm but excitement forced us into the water.  It had been a few at least 7 years since Jim and I had been in the ocean and 2/3 of our kids had never even seen it!

That first dip in the water landed two of our kids flat on their backs.  Thankfully, they came up with smiles and laughter.  Probably pure astonishment.  After a quick trip back to the house for dry clothes they wanted back for more.

 The next day we were ready. 

 Yes, that water is cold.  But so worth it.  Look at that sweet boy's face.

 We had many, many hours with cousins and 2nd cousins and auntie's and uncle's and grandma's and grandpa's.

 Ella Jane and her cousins' feet.  They were good company for each other; only 7 mon. apart in age.

 My kids love my mom's dog and Madeline is so tolerant of their doting hands.  There was football and baseball in the front yard, bubbles too.

 and flying kites and burrying feet at the beach.

 My girls and their cousin.  Love this.

 This is me attempting to play my 1st ever (oh shoot what do you call it?) video game.  I've played video games before but not this particular kind.  Anyway.  It was a lego star wars one.  And I'm completely blanking on the gaming system but Matthew loved playing with me.  Although he did get a little frustrated because I wasn't keeping up. 

But every now and then, you just have to jump into the world of your kids and when you do they are over the moon.

So, I didn't really get the game but it was worth it.

There is something about the Ocean that is so solitary.  It's like staring into a campfire at night yes?  Mesmorizing.  Matthew frolicked and frolicked for THE longest time.  Such a pleasure to watch.  Ella Jane had her moments alone too.  Very sweet to witness.

And that my friends was how we spent three days at the beach.

In the meantime...

Don't you just love bubbles?  We do too.  My sister gave us bubble wands for Matthew's 2nd birthday and I tell you what, we have enjoyed them ever since!

Road Trip 2012 Part I...

~Road Trip USA~

The above picture if one of my favorites.  It's taken at 4:00am and shows the excitement of what's to come.  Look how happy they are!  Look at the fresh sleep still on their faces!  Look how thrilled they are to show off their VERY OWN GUM!  It's a very special memory of mine; taking this photo.

Some 80 odd hours in a minivan. I know, some of you are droning.  I did too when the thought of driving to Seattle (and back) first crossed my mind.  Jim and I have made this trip many times in the past.  But never with kids.  Those were the early marriage days when we were still in our 20's and could function well on only a few hours sleep.

{for the record this was taken on the trip; we're well into our 30's!}

This was a whole different ball game.  And friends, I would do it all again.  The driving part of the trip was so much more fun than I ever thought it could be with kids.  Once we got into the groove of spending hours on end in the car we all kind of settled into our spots. 

Jim drove

Ella Jane made her peace and gazed out the window

Sara drew and drew on her white board

Matthew read or watched a movie

They all napped...a lot

Jim and I drank coffee

I gazed out the window

 {I love the affection of Sara; she scooped Ella Jane right up}

 {She loves her white board}

We stopped at rest stops for lunch.  Lunch was always the same; peanut butter sandwiches with a fruit or vegetable and raisins.  Except here.  We had just stopped at a bakery and are enjoying a cinnamon roll.

{Ella Jane on the little slide her daddy used to use when he was in elementary school} 

{We love the country.  My three kids walking up to their auntie's house} 

Oh the things my kids got to experience! 

They loved the river whether it be walking, swimming or stacking rocks. 

They spent endless hours with cousins older and younger painting nails, riding bikes and poking the fire with sticks when we camped.

 {we called family along the way and handed the phone to the kids to help pass the time}

 {Multanomah Falls}

{Lots of hotel time}

{can you do this with your body?}

We were able to spend a lot of time with both sides of our families and introduce our kids to things we simply don't get here in the Midwest.  Like cool summer mornings and evenings, a cold river, and the ocean!

More to come with Part II.