Mi Familia: Part 1

(Jacob, Reed and Nathan)

My parents and all 3 brothers came to visit us last week. This was the FIRST time my dad and two of my three bros had been able to make it here to Oregon to see our family and it was AWESOME to have them come. We LOVED it!!! It was a quick trip, but we are oh so grateful that they took a detour on their way back from a reunion in Washington and stayed with our family.

We ended up at the coast on Wednesday and, despite the windy conditions, we had a good time. We went to Oswald State park, hiked 3/4 of a mile down to the coast, enjoyed a delicious picnic lunch with some of the best apricots and cherries I have had in long time...and didn't let the bits of sand that got into our sandwiches ruin it. :)

The Oregon coast is unbelievably beautiful. I love how there are pines right up to the coast, but the sand is still super-duper fine. This was Gavin's first trip to the beach as a toddler (probably the second trip in his entire life) and he was in HEAVEN (even if he did eat a pound of sand)...hence, the many, many photos of him. I never got a very good shot of this, but he kept laying down on the sand (tummy down) and moving his arms and legs back and forth...almost like he was making a "sand angel". SO CUTE!

My parents with the kids.

It may have been windy, but the sun was out...can't ask for more here in Oregon.

Gavin ...

Mom trying to get some of the sand off his face. His bowl movements were like 50% sand for the next couple of days...poor kid...he didn't seem to mind though. :)

My handsome brother, Jacob, hangin' with Gavin.

My studly brother, Nathan, diggin' a massive pit for the kids to play in.

Mom and Dad checkin' out the tide pools (which were quickly disappearing as the tide rolled in) with Carter and Jemma. A couple years ago, I came here with the kids and there were TONS of starfish. I was so hopeful that they would be here again, but unfortunately, those little guys must migrate, cuz we didn't spot one. I was bummed. Lots of sea anemones and clams though. ;)

Mom and Carter.

So, the water here was fridged...not. kidding. Carter wanted me to fill up a bucket of water for him to play with back up in the sand; my toes went instantly numb the second the waves touched them. And that is not an exaggeration. So, when Jacob decided he was going to swim across a section where the tide had come in instead of walking around to a higher point, I had to catch in on film. You are one super stud Jacob!

Mom, Dad, Jemma, Gavin and Carter hangin' on the beach. They were actually all watching and laughing at my brothers strikin' male model poses (chillin' on the beach with their hoodies unzipped) while I snapped silly pictures of them...you'll have to friend them on facebook though to see those. ;)

Jacob, me, Reed and Nathan.

Yes, one of my brothers has the name Reed...even the same spelling as my last name. In fact, until I married Brandon, I had always intended to name one of my sons Reed. It's such a sweet name! But, I guess I lucked out, cuz now all my sons (and daughters) get to have that as their name. Cha-ching!