12th anniversary at the Oregon coast

Rich and I never went on a "real" honeymoon and usually for our anniversary we just end up going out for dinner but this year I wanted to do something different. When we want to get away we usually end up in Utah but we have been there so many times and we wanted to try something new. I had never been to the Oregon coast and Rich hasn't been since he was little so we thought "why not!". We found a hotel right on the beach and it was amazing!!!!

The view from our private balcony!!!

 Watching the waves come in.

Yeah for self timers on cameras!

Panoramic view from our balcony

At the Yaquina lighthouse

Best sunset we saw. 

Hi Kids!!!!

Being silly!

Baby seal waiting for his momma to come back.

Hello Mr. Krabs

Lots and lots of seals

Those purple things are sea urchin.

We saw over 50 sea stars.

Last picture before heading home. :(

Consequences

Jarred and a couple of his friends from the neighborhood thought it would be a good idea to have a plum fight at the park (with all the plums that had fallen off the trees). Boys will be boys right??? There is nothing wrong with a plum fight but then they thought it would be fun to throw them at the fence and smear them on the slides. Well, they learned that with choices come consequence. As soon as we found out what happened, we filled a bucket with soapy water and made them scrub it all off. It wasn't fun, but I think they learned their lesson (I hope).

It wasn't all horrible. They did such a good job cleaning that we made a "water slide" for them when they were done.

Independence Day

All dressed up for the 4th of July!!!

Red, white and blue fireworks on their cheeks (it seems that this is becoming a tradition)

 Starla, a couple of the Perrys, and the Yoshikanes joined us for the festivities this year at Brad and Jen's house.

 My man grilling us up some dinner.

 More "tattoos"

 Waitin' for the fireworks

"Ella, I have a surprise for you..."

Once upon a time there was a sweet little boy named Jarred. He loved his baby sister very, very much. As he was wandering around the neighborhood one day, he happened across a yard sale. As he took a peek at all the treasures to be found there, he spotted a gently used fairy bike that was just the right size for his sister.  But alas, he had no money. But wait! What did he see? A sign was upon this little bike and thankfully, Jarred knew how to read. "F R E E" said the sign. What?!?! Without hesitation, Jarred asked the lady who was having this sale if he could have the bike for his baby sister. "Of course" she said. So Jarred walked that bike home (which was not easy since he had his scooter with him also) and walked through the front door and announced, "Ella, I have a surprise for you!!" It was a perfect fit (it just needed a new seat)! And everyone lived happily ever after!!!