beach trip photo gallery

I don't have a whole lot of time to write about the amazing trip we had at the Oregon coast last week. The best I can do for now is post pictures that I took while we were there. I am very pleased with how a lot of them turned out. I love my camera! The goal is to get super good and take other people's pictures and get paid for it on occasion. But for now I enjoy sitting back and looking at all the pictures I have taken of my family in the past. Last night when the kids were asleep I went through them on the computer over and over again. Time flies so fast! My baby starts Kindergarten this next week!

Our Beach trip was awesome! I LOVE the Oregon coast! It is such a restful place to escape to. Here are a bunch of pictures I took of our trip.

 

 

Nothing like treasure hunts, sandy toes, sunshine, ice cream from the Tillamook Cheese Factory, splashing in the waves and so many fond memories to make you miss it when you get back home. Thank you Grandma and Grandpa Glenn for the good times! Can't wait to do it again next year.

Summer Day Photo Shoot

Yesterday was Kiera's birthday! My baby is officially 5! We are planning on celebrating her birthday at the beach this coming week. I can't believe it has already been 5 yrs.

Anyway, we may not be celebrating her birthday til later but Kiera still got a fun birthday surprise yesterday. Grandma Tutu showed up spur of the moment. She drove up while the kids were out front riding on their bikes. She was so excited! Ethan was so cute as well. He was sitting on the sidewalk when the unfamiliar car drove down the cul-de-sac. He asks me, "who's that?" "Its...its...GASP!...Its Grandma TUTU!" It was adorable!

We're so happy to have grandma here, even if it is for just a short visit before we head off to the beach in a couple days. And maybe, just maybe it'll make the chore of packing and preparing for the trip less of a chore.

Today the kids got to play out front with the new sprinkler ring that Grandma Tutu surprised them with. 'Cause you know Grandma can't come without a surprise right?  While they played I got in some play of my own and had a photo shoot. Here are some of my favorite shots:

I love slow summer days like this! 

Especially when my mom is here to share them with me!

Almost There!!! Well at least until the next project...

It has been a loooong couple weeks. So glad paint lasts 5 years or so. I don't want to have to do this again for a long time.

Well the house is just about finished. All that is left now is finishing up the back. We had to wait on it for a little bit since we were having that side re-sided. But I thought I could show you what it looks like now.

Here's the not so lovely BEFORE

And now the Beeeeautiful AFTER

It took me forever to decide on the color. I went back and forth, back and forth, over and over. I stared at this wall for days!

But am so glad I chose what I did. I ended up not choosing any of the trim colors I had samples of. Instead I went with white.  I love how crisp it looks. As for the whole house I love that you can no longer see the rusty nails in the light colored siding. Every one of those babies was sanded down or power washed and sprayed with Rustoleum primer. Now it is all some delicious red/brown goodness! I am so glad my brother and sister in-law helped us out. We couldn't have done it without them! I don't think Emma or any of the other kids for that matter would have survived.

Now as soon as this project is wrapped up completely, we start work on re-staining and re-covering the back deck! BUSY BUSY! My back aches just thinking about it.

Mommy Daughter Dates

A few weeks ago I was feeling the need to go out. I just needed to be out of the house and have a change of pace. I however was accepting the fact that it wouldn't happen. We were still in the process of painting the house, and there was a lot that needed to be done at home. But my awesome, wonderful husband told me to go and have some fun so I decided to make it a date with my girls.

As soon as I asked Kiera if she wanted to go on a date with mommy she lit up! She was so excited. Without any questions her shoes were on and she was in the car. She was ready to go! I love mommy daughter dates. The last one we went on was a trip to the movies to see Toy Story 3. To this day Kiera still talks about it.

We went to Burger King and Kiera got to choose whatever she wanted AND got an ice cream cone afterwards. We don't frequent Burger King often and if we do it is only through the drive thru. So when we went inside Kiera was introduced to the fabulous Burger King Kids crowns (see above picture). And being the thoughtful child she is asked the cashier if she could take an extra one home for her brother. So cute.

After Dinner we went across the street to the hair salon. This was Kiera's first experience at a salon as well. I am usually the one cutting her hair, but this time was special.

She talked the entire time asking questions and commenting on EVERYTHING! The hairdresser was a trooper. She was so patient with her and played along. Double thumbs up! My favorite part was watching her get her hair washed in the sink. Kiera thought that was the silliest thing ever. And she was sure to tell the hairdresser "not hot, not hot" over and over.

It was sad to see her hair go. I have babied her hair since she was born. But she is growing up whether I like it or not. I can't believe she is starting Kindergarten in just a couple weeks!

Here's the BEFORE

And the AFTER

You can't really tell from the picture but she cut A TON off. Probably a good 8 inches. This was what the floor looked like when all was said and done. !!!! I can't believe it. Sort of makes me sad but at the same time happy for her. Hair time will take a lot less brushing now too.

Happy Little Girl

After Kiera was done I got my hair chopped off too. We were there til almost closing so we got the whole salon to ourselves. Poor Emma was getting very fussy just as soon as my hair was washed.  I didn't think I was going to be able to have mine done and thought I should give up and walk out; but the other hairdresser was such a sweet lady and held her for me AND entertained Kiera for my entire cut! They were the best two people ever! I probably got 7-8 inches off as well. Sorry there is no picture, the one Kiera took of me turned out really blurry.