YACHATS

If I remember right, our first stop was my parent's house at the beach. It's always such a great first stop. Quiet, slow paced, relaxing. This year Greg had to go to DC for something so the kids and I got over jet lag on our own at my parents. Greg stayed the night in Eugene with his brother, hung out with Chris after his shift got over and he flew out to DC the next day, or something like that. 

I don't remember much, but there was some beach time.

I look at pictures like this and think, "Wow. My family is perfect just the way it is." I love them all and I love them so much. I wouldn't change a thing. 

Marius loves Grandpa Arnold. LOVES Grandpa Arnold. 

We all went on Grandpa's boat and it was awesome. All the kids got to drive it and it was SO CUTE watching them. Scarlet, if I remember right, didn't want to drive. But the boys did.

I drove the boat too and it was really fun. I couldn't believe how low we sit in the water. It was really strange to me. We were very IN the water. I always imagined floating on top. Or at least feeling that way.

There was some serious candy eating on that boat. Grandpa had a really good stock of milk duds and M&Ms and who knows what else in that bag.

We went to the aquarium. Always a hi light. I had to take a pic of this insane yellow eel! It was so cool. And as you can see it came out for us- which never happens with eels, so it was pretty exciting.

We saw the seals swim round and round. It was really cool.

Mom and Dad always keep kites on hand now for the kids- it's great! For the most part they fly really good, but for some reason Brighton's really struggled to get off the ground. I felt really bad for him because the other kids had no trouble at all.

See what I mean?

Eventually we got it up there but I don't think it lasted very long.

Something about my kids flying kites- I just love it. It feels magical and kid like- even though adults can do it. I just think it's fun and I love seeing them in the air. I think it's so neat.

I wish I remembered more, but it was so long ago. I'm sure there was lots of long talks and pancakes and there was definitely a tea party with those yummy cupcakes. I always just eat the frosting- I can never help myself it's so good.