Cousin Beach Day

A Wednesday seemed like a good day to get together with my cousins and go to the beach! One cousin, Brittany, already lives at the beach, another cousin (Stephanie) lives near me, and another cousin (Kim) was visiting from the East Coast. We all have kids close in age so it is fun to get together. I was hesitant to go at first because of my unpredictable children but we decided to risk it and go anyway. The boys did great on the drive thanks to some audiobooks. We got to the newly remodeled Tillamook cheese factory a couple minutes before our cousins so we had a lunch picnic by the car. (Where I also had to search high and low for Edwin's glasses lens again, I really need to take his glasses away in the car.) After some snacking we made our way inside to the new and exciting and still SUPER crowded Cheese factory. It was exciting that we could actually see the factory part again but keeping track of my boys in that super crowded environment was stressful. (and it was the middle of a Wednesday!!) 

We waited too long in the cheese sample line...and too long in the ice cream line but it was a memory and I probably wont go there again without Max and probably never on a weekend. Unless it's the middle of winter. Sorry, I feel like I should give them a better review because I love Tillamook, it was just a stressful experience for me.

 

Baby boy is not a huge fan of ice cream, unless there is candy (like M&Ms) in it, then he begs for all the ice cream.

 So upon walking to our car, we took some photos stops...


The manure scented wind in his hair...

Anyway, we made our way to Neskowin beach so we could play in the more shallow water.

That went much more smoothly, I mean after we got the stroller through the sand to our spot.

The big boys played nicely in the little river thanks to the floaties brought by their cousins and Edwin was pretty much happy anywhere! It really does make me happy with how well my boys play near and in the water.

It would appear that Edwin is my favorite child, but that isn't true, he just gets the most photos because I have to watch him the closest! haha!

Edwin chatting with his second cousin Ryker, who is supposed to be napping....

Off to grand adventures...on an alligator!

Get your sandy little hands away from my lens!

He would throw sand in the water then laugh about it! Such simple entertainment!

As it was getting late, we decided to pack up and head home, we luckily had a lot of our packed lunch left over so we passed that out and the boys ate "dinner" while we drove. We finished listening to Marley and Me and then started Runaway Ralph. The drive was smooth and we made it home the exact same time Max got home from the Young Men's activity.

Oh long may it wave...

Our fourth of July consisted of our usual traditions. We had a slow morning then made our way to Red Grandma's house before the road closed down for the parade.

Every good parade needs llamas right?

 Sometimes I just am amazed at the differences in my big boys. Charlie was ravenous when the candy was thrown, Miles sat by me during the parade and if the candy looked worth getting, he would walk over and daintily pick it up. haha! (Guess who ended up with more candy?)

 Max picked up his parents and they made their way to grandma's house too, we brought food and there was tons to eat! We spent time playing with cousins and eating too much food

 As the sun went down, we started some fireworks on my grandma's street. I think about 3 costco size boxes were contributed! All the boys loved the fireworks...even the loud ones!

enthralled with the "pooping puppy" firework...

The sun went lower so we then made our way to the high school, where Max's parents were saving us a spot on the field. We set out our blankets and danced to the music and passed out glow sticks. Last year, Charlie had bought a pack of glow sticks and sold some of them, he was going to do the same thing this year with the leftovers, but we found out that a bunch of them weren't working so we just cracked them all and the boys passed out the good ones for free and made a lot of people happy!

 At the twilight's last gleaming...

 A little bit more dancing and then the lights went out and the firework show began!

 

It was some enjoyable family time. 

I have the privilege of picking the hymns we sing on Sunday and the following Sunday we sang Battle Hymn of the Republic.  This line stood out to me "As He died to make men holy, let us live to make men free, While God is marching on. Glory Glory, Hallelujah..." As I contemplate the ultimate sacrifice Chirst made and the sacrifice so many have done for our freedom, I'm filled with gratitude that I can raise my children in a place where so many opportunities and freedoms are before them. I hope we can continue to live to make men and women and children free!