Beach - Day Two

We spent some more time at the pool in the morning, then while I ran an out-and-back on the sand (love beach running!), the kids played on the beach with Grandma (and Diana after she returned from her portion of the run).

Turns out it was much colder and more windy than the day before, so they went back inside. Which I discovered when I got back and they were gone. 

On the way home, we stopped at Spirit Mountain Casino for their incredible buffet. Wow, delicious and huge. I think this picture is so perfect! Everyone looks great, and the matching navy shirts behind Madelyn's pink looks so classy.

Thanks for a really fun trip, Mom!

Motel Pool

After the beach, everyone had a lot of fun playing in the pool. 

This was Madelyn's first opportunity to really use her floaties as intended, and she did great!

Ha ha!

Swimming all by herself!

So proud

Goofy girl.

Diana stayed in the water playing with the beach ball and diving sticks with her boys for a long time. What a mom!

This picture is from the next morning, playing in the pool some more before heading home.

Beach - Day One

On my birthday, my mom, sister, myself, and our kids went to Lincoln City for a night.

When we arrived, the weather was just perfect for some fun on the beach. After our picnic, that is.  We stayed in that motel in the background, with private access right to the beach. It was pretty nice.

Madelyn trying to put on sunscreen cream. We're used to the awesome spray kind.

And having a little rest under the blanket.

Tea Party

I've been searching for a china tea set on the cheap, and finally found a brand new one at a garage sale. Score!

Madelyn loved pouring the "tea" for her Care Bears.

Everyone got a graham cracker too.

Loki wishes he could have one. 

Cinderella

Grandma Bonnie and "Aunt" Shirley (Bonnie's best friend and Dale's ex-wife) took 3 granddaughters to see a community theatre production of Cinderella.

Madelyn chose to wear the Disney Cinderella costume that was part of a big dress-up bag we bought at a garage sale a few weeks ago.  These are her step-cousins, Lauren and Hailey.

With Cinderella

Um, I think Madelyn said this was the Evil Stepmother, but maybe the Fairy Godmother. ?

And I believe this is Prince Charming. Bonnie and Shirley said that the girls had a wonderful time together.

Waverunners

My friend Sandy Jo often invites me to join her for a day at the lake, and on this sunny afternoon we were actually available to go!

I had figured that I'd feel apprehensive having Madelyn on a Waverunner, and only want to go very slowly. As it turns out, she felt very secure between my legs and I felt comfortable riding almost the way I would alone (I'm no daredevil, understand). Madelyn LOVED it and giggled every time we went over bumps and got sprayed with water. 

She also played on the rocky/muddy shore of Hagg Lake.

Here she is coming in from a ride with Uncle Randy. Madelyn loves Uncle Randy. 

Block Castle

These two made a castle by taking turns placing one piece at a time. It was a great game.

Taking pictures of Daddy with her own nifty camera.

Yet Another Sleepover

While my friends Sarah and Eddie and I camped out for the Tillamook Burn Adventure Run, my amazing parents had not only Madelyn, but also my friends' son Demitri overnight.

As to be expected, they (the kids) had tons of fun.

Some cousins came out to play too.

I LOVE this picture of Madelyn and Grandma Winkel. So sweet!

Scarf and Swimsuit

Madelyn often dons her swimsuit to help her dad wash the cars, but today she must have felt it was a little chilly outside.

The extra accessories didn't last long, however.  But sure made for some CUTE pictures!

Mommy's Birthday

Some little birthday presents from my parents,

and a cake to celebrate August birthdays for John and me. 

The kids got rainbow-colored ice cream cones.

Rock Festival

Nope, not about music legends...this one is about geodes and minerals! We invited Madelyn's friend Jayden to join us for a visit to the Rice NW Museum of Rocks & Minerals for their summer rock festival.

First they got to sift through sand and keep a collection of polished stones and crystal-looking things, including several pieces of Oregon's state gemstone: Sunstone.

Jayden and Madelyn in front of a pile o' rocks. Kids got to select a rock smaller than their fist to take home. Madelyn picked out a chunk of black granite (which appeared to be a piece of a countertop).

They did this "cake walk" over and OVER until the girl choosing numbers realized it would make more sense to keep drawing numbers until they got a winner rather than restarting the music after one pull if no one was standing on that number. Sheesh. Everybody got a surprise bag of rocks in the end, anyway.

Madelyn attempted panning for gold.

And the Gold Man shows us a flake of real gold. 

The festival was quite fascinating, and I'd like to go back with more time to tour the museum inside...by the time we reached it the kids were about done being well-behaved.

TWO sleepovers

While Gary and I spent a couple of nights camping, Madelyn got to spend the night two times at Grandma and Grandpa Winkel's house. SO many fun things to do:

Matching word card game

Horseshoes

(Action shot!)

Flying on the swings

Ready for bed

Breakfast

Giant bubbles

Homemade playdough

Waterslide with cousins

Hot tub party

Pancakes and eggs for dinner!

Thank you Mom and Dad for allowing us to take a much-needed getaway!