Rest of July

July was a very busy month for us with the 4th,  our big family vacation, youth conference, anniversary, camping, etc.  Here are a few other things we managed to sneak in.  

These girls were just laughing and giggling in bed this night.
 It was so cute to hear!
7.16.18

Ethan and some of his friends tried to conquer the chamber tonight.  No luck this time.
7.17.18

Orthodontist patient appreciation night meant a free night at Cowabunga thanks to Afton's braces :)
7.17.18

Today we signed the paperwork to sell this beautiful piece of land. I am very sad to see it go.  But the next chapter of what may be next- may be even better. We have a few ideas in the works
7.18.18

Off to Youth Conference for a few days.  Lizzie's 1st year and Ethan's 3rd.
7/19-7/21

A few pictures from youth conference..... 

Lost Creek

We just got back from a camping trip 

up in the Uinta's at Lost Creek. 

We went with our good friends the Sierers. 

The girls all took turns on the kayaks at the lake.
 So fun!!!

Afton on her very own kayak she got
 for her birthday awhile ago. She loves it!

The girls all made tie dye shirts a few days before we headed up.  Not sure the meaning of the poses :) but they are still cute!

Creek exploring
Liz and Savannah

Fishing in your swimsuit = a perfect summer day

There was one night we had thunder and lighting. 
Lilly was VERY anxious about it. 
This was our solution for her :)
 Some of Jim's soundproof ear protectors. 

Even Lucky got in on the kayak action :)  He also went out with Jim on a float tube and seemed to like that a little better. 

It doesn't matter if he is at home, or in the mountains-
 he still finds time to read :)

Me and this cutie!
Afton 10 years old

Ethan being a good big brother to Greta.  All 8 of our kids get along so well and it is so nice to see them taking care of each other like family even though they are not related.  

The parents-
Alisha, Jim, Stacey and Ted

The kids
Greta, Savannah, Liz, Lilly, Colin, Ethan, Afton

20th

20 years ago on July 18th 

these two kids got married

To celebrate our 20th anniversary Jim and I went back to the same bed and breakfast in Midway we went for our honeymoon.  Back then it was called The Huckleberry Inn and now it is called The Blue Boar Inn.  It was still amazing. 

Here we are back in front of the bed and breakfast 20 years later

We went hiking on Mill Flat trail that quickly became a steep hike through this.  We turned around not long after. Gorgeous but not my favorite kind of hiking. 

Here we are a few minutes before we turned around

We also went and visited Cascade Springs.

  A place we went to on our honeymoon in 1998

In front of the boar at The Blue Boar Inn :)

This cute little boar greeted us at night with a rose and mints :)

Family Pictures 2018

For our families 20th birthday we went and got some updated family pictures

July 2018

Ethan

16 years old

Lizzie 14 years old

Afton

10 years old

Lilly

10 years old

Neskowin, OR

   We just got back from a pretty amazing family vacation!  We stayed in this perfect little beach town in Neskowin, OR.  

Each day we went out for a little adventure and then mid to late afternoon we came back to enjoy the absolutely gorgeous beach and surroundings.  

Our beach house was literally STEPS from the beach.

  It was so amazing!

Day 1-

 7-5-18

We flew into Portland then drove about two hours to the town of Neskowin.  It was perfect in so many ways.  Once there we spent the rest of the day just enjoying the beach and checking out our new home for the next few days. 

The view from our back porch. 
About 30 seconds away from the beach.
 The sound of the ocean was so good for my soul.

View to the left of our beach house.  So gorgeous!

Jim's parents came with us.
 His mom really enjoyed walking along the beach

Such a happy girl at the beach
Lizzie- 14 years old

Liz and Lilly enjoying the beach with a setting sun.

Our first of many stunning sunsets

Day 2- 
7-6-18

Jim and I went on a walk in the morning over to Proposal Rock.  It was so overcast and misty.  It would do that each morning and then clear up by afternoon. 

We then headed over to a fish hatchery that was 99% empty :)  Hey but at least we got  a good grandparent with grandkids picture

We found an antique sale where everyone was able to find some good treasures including a stuffed elephant, $1 tools, pillows,  and a vintage suitcase 

Back at the beach Afton found some crabs that she named
 Steve and Little Steve

Ethan really liked drawing these kind of patterns in the sand

Beach happiness

Perfect beach picture!!!

Day 3-

7-7-18

We explored Cape Meares lighthouse which was pretty cool!!!

Nearby was an tree called Octopus Tree. 
It has 8 different limbs coming out of it and was huge.

Next up was Tillamook.
 It was so BUSY that day it was insane.
 We took a quick tour then left. 

But not before getting a sneak peek of our lives in a year when Lizzie gets her learners permit. 

Later that day back to exploring the gorgeous beach. 

Another gorgeous sunset to end our 3rd day here

Day 4

7-8-18

We headed into Lincoln City and attended sacrament. 
This is our group picture once we got back. 
A nice biker dude took it for us. 

The rest of the day was spent playing on the beach.
 Such a great way to spend a day. 

Afton buried Lilly in the sand

Jim helped Lilly become a sand mermaid

Then Jim totally buried Afton

As evening started creeping up on us, the girls changed out of their swimsuits and we went walking along the beach.

Day 5
7-9-18

Our day started out visiting the Oregon Coast Aquarium.  

It was pretty cool. 

Grandma with the girls at the aquarium

Then we headed into Depoe Bay for some lunch.  Jim got some delicous gluten free fish and chips and clam chowder. 

Back home more beach time  

Which included Liz making a sand kitty :)

Day 6

7-10-18

Today we headed back to Depoe Bay for a whale watching tour.  We saw lots of whales and even had one breach the water for us.

 The grandparents on the boat :)

Lilly enjoying the ride.  

After the tour we went back along the shops and bought some taffy, carmel corn and a few last souvenirs. 

 Our last night we decided to do some kite flying.
 Flying kites on the beach was pretty amazing.

Day 7

7-11-18

Heading home

Before heading to the airport we took a few last pictures at this amazing beach.

It was such an amazing vacation in so many ways and none of us wanted to come home.