Cousin Fun

A few random pictures from the end of March with cousins.


Kaden, Madelyn, and Jack on the mattress slide at Grandma Winkel's house

Playing in the hot tub with Grandpa Winkel at the GIRLS sleepover during Spring Break
Lucy, Shelby, Madelyn, Audrey

Jack had a sleepover at our house!

They were both patient the next day playing at Curves while we girls did a weekend project at Curves

Oregon Coast Aquarium

We knew Madelyn would be extra-enthused about the aquarium on this trip because she recently discovered a new TV show called "Octonauts," which features a James Bond-esque team of underwater rescue animals whose adventures teach about various marine creatures.
 

See the otter right next to the window? 

 

 

On the way home from our beach trip we enjoyed our traditional DQ treats!

More Beach Fun

The snow melted throughout the day, and although it was still fairly cold, we bundled up and went for a shell-finding excursion along the shore at Gleneden Beach.
 

Mommy showing off Baby Brother's belly bump!

Following a trail of seagull footprints.

Dad running in and out of the waves with Kezia and Loki.

The best clam chowder we've had so far is at The Sea Hag in Depoe Bay! 

We rented a movie and all three "kiddos" curled up and fell asleep before the end. Don't they look precious?

Snow at the Beach!

We picked the lucky day to head to the Oregon Coast--a veritable blizzard surprised us over the Cascades.

And then an even bigger surprise--the snow actually stuck on the ground and created a mini-Winter Wonderland at the house we rented for a couple of nights. 

Gary made a tiny snowman on the deck before we settled in for the night. 

 

The next morning there was still a layer of snow on the deck. How often do you get to see the ocean in the background of a snowy scene? 

Sandy beach just over the bluff from this vacation home, with snow on the bushes. 

Madelyn decided to make her own tiny snowman. 

What a memorable start to our little beach getaway!

Swimming Lessons

Just like the dance classes, Madelyn has been averse to trying organized swim lessons until recently. She has now had two classes and is doing great! Swimming is such an important skill, and while Madelyn loves to play in water, she is timid about putting her face in. She has already made progress in just two weeks.
 

 

The second day, Madelyn was the only student to show up, so she got a private lesson! This was very valuable. 

 

Putting her face in the water, which the instructor told me she did for more than 5 seconds at a time!

She is taking lessons at the YMCA which is very close to our new house.

Paleontologist

Madelyn is a big fan of dinosaurs, so after watching the IMAX movie, "Flying Monsters," all about the evolution of pterosaurs, we bought this Brachiosaurus model at the OMSI store.

She got to dig out all the bones like a paleontologist, and then put together the "fossil" skeleton.

It was a fun project to occupy a few hours.