Cannon Beach

Our second day in Oregon we drove down the rode and through the Mythical forest (always looking for vampire sightings) to Cannon Beach. Here we are at the top of one of the cliffs looking down. ( I just want everyone to note that Cameron has 1 glove on, and that he wore it like this the whole time we were there. It's kind of like Where's Waldo but it's where is Cameron's glove.)
Happy Gwyn!
The three oldest kids.....This place made my Aunt very nervous with the kids. She was very worried someone would fall. I guess we have to many kids because we were fairly relaxed....sorry Aunt Chrissy!

Cameron with his Nana.
Look at these wild roses!

After we had a fantastic lunch at Moe's we headed down to the beach. Look how wrapped up my aunt is. Yeah, it was that cold.

Mallorie was great at the beach. She was finding baby fish in the ocean and bringing them back. Gil was fascinated by them. Mallorie was made for this life, the cold didn't bother her and she was very knowledgeable.

Bob was trying to start a beach fire and here is Abe collecting some wood.
I don't know what they are doing.
Gwyn found a feather. It is probably carrying some disease but she tickling her face with it.
Our friends the Westons have vacationed here many times and Mark gave us the tip to bring kites. The boys flew kites ALL afternoon. It was so windy it took no effort at all. The kids would take turns walking around with the kites.

Mr. Cameron

We finally left when the fire wouldn't start and we were frozen to the bone.

That night we had another fabulous dinner and then we hit the little town center (also two blocks from my Aunt house) The boys LOVED the Arcade and the cute candy store. We walked the "Prom" and then headed home.

Astoria

After a great nights rest any really yummy food at Aunt Chrissy's house she took us to Astoria. This bridge connects to Washington State. It is three miles long and a really cool bridge. Bob was TOTALLY fascinated with all of Oregon and it's history my deep thought were "wow, this how I totally imagined Forks would look like, mmm Edward."
We picked up my cousins kids and they pretty much spent the rest of the time with us. They were so much fun to have around. (we had a day of sunshine!)
This is the Column.... It tells the story of how Lewis and Clarke found Astoria, and all of the surrounding towns...(I think that's right.) Sacajawea was from this area. As it turns out, Lewis and Clark hated it here. I don't know why. This is probably one of the most beautiful place I have ever been. It was a little too cold for me though.

We took a Trolley ride that told all of the history of Astoria and it was really informative, for example, Goonies was filmed here, so was some of Lord of the Rings. This use to be THE biggest port town. The raging Columbia river is very scary here and hundreds of ship have gone down on these waters and never been found. There were also many canneries here.
The Trolley ride was delightful for Gil!
Gwyn with Mallorie, Gwyn does great when there are other girls.
Aunt Chrissy with funny little Cameron.
Here are the kids at the front of the Maritime Museum.

Just enjoying the fish below.
Mallorie was always willing to push Gil for me.
There were some great hands on things in the museum.
Bob had me take this picture of this Gun. This is for Papa Lyle.
This gun was named very appropriately don't you think?

Our lunches while with Aunt Chrissy consisted if clam chowder. It was one of my favorite parts of the visit. Chrissy is so generous and was forever treating us.....Let's just say I probably put on five lbs just letting her feed us. This is how you know she and my mom are related. They can cook and they can cook A LOT! At night my cousin Carrie would join us and I just love her. She is the cousin I grew up with.

Seaside

We pulled up to my Aunt Chrissy's adorable house in Seaside, Oregon and my kids wanted to hit the beach immediately. She lives two blocks from the beach. My Aunt told me to bring warm clothes and I listened but I forgot what cold means.....We were FREEZING!
This beach was awesome because it had sand dollars instead of shells. Tucker and Abe were on a mission to find whole sand dollars.
Aunt Chrissy giving instruction on how to find clams in the sand.
Gil loves him some sand!

Have you ever driven through a tree....

Well, we didn't either because our top was to big! But we walked through it! Cool little stop.

The scenice way.....

After leaving Bryce and Lisa's house we started our 750 mile drive to Seaside, Oregon. We were tipped off that we should drive to Glass Beach....it was pretty hellish to get to the actual coast but it was a fun little stop. This was the path to get to the beach. I love this picture of Gil trying to catch up to his brother.
Love this one too.
Abe and his beloved jacket.
Tucker finding some glass pieces on the beach. This part of the ocean use to be the dump. All of the old glass has washed up smooth and looks really neat.
Gwyn collecting....
In the tide pools Abe found these big old crabs.

The REAL San Francisco

Our last day was spent in San Francisco. Bryce showed us so much of the real San Francisco. We were once again amazed at how well Bryce knew the streets. Paige met us there and she is very much a city girl. Some of the highlights of the day were Lombard street, Haight and Ashbury street, and of course the city park!
The great built in slide....
The climbing wall?
Bryce and Paige chit chatting....
Tucker the monkey.
Abe and Ash climbing.
Daddy pushing Gwyn on the swings.
Pretty Gwynnie!


Rocker Abe.
Miss Mira
The great carousel

Paige wanting to call this home!

Bryce and Lisa made our trip wonderful. We had a great time and the kids were so happy to see each other. Thanks for your hospitality and the fun company!!!
*The Himalayan food was GREAT!