Sun and Sand in Seaside

I never cease to be amazed at how much is required when taking an infant on a trip. Be it a road trip to a completely different state or just a couple nights two hours from home, those little babes need a lot! On Saturday, I seemed to get it narrowed down to the essentials (clothes, stroller, pump, diapers/wipes, toys, blankets) and somehow was able to shove it all in the back of Michelle's SUV. It may have been bursting at the seams but we just strapped those babies in, rolled down the windows, slid on our sunglasses (or sunshades as Kevin calls them) and hit the open road! The forecast was a beautifully rare 70 degrees and sunny so we headed west towards the Oregon Coast. Luckily, the weather man did not disappoint.

Sunday was spent lounging in the beautiful weather on the beach in Seaside. There were so many people on the beach! Seems like we all had the same idea - soak up the sun while you can! In Oregon, you never know when it will make it's appearance again. We all walked away with some farmers tans sunburns except for little Claire Bear. She wasn't so sure about the beach. Too sunny for her baby eyes. One of her hats didn't shield her eyes too much and the other was too big so she was more content sleeping in her stroller while being shaded by the cover. Probably better for her new baby skin anyway. Sophia, Peyton and Evelyn on the other hand were loving life. Building sand castles, flipping sand everywhere! There certainly is no such thing as a no-sand-on-the-blanket rule when you have a 2 year old, a 3 year old and a 4 year old surrounding you! After a couple hours and not one tantrum later, we headed in for some clam chowder comfort food. That's what we head to the coast for - it's all about the chowder. After a quick jaunt to the candy store and the carousel (don't you dare try to pass up the carousel), we headed back to the beach house to rest our sunburned cheeks.

Claire's 1st trip to the beach!

Sophia burying her legs!

This photo cracks me up - check out all the technology going on!

Pretty Peyton.

Michelle and Evelyn playing in the sand.

I wonder what she's thinking!?!

Waiting for the big girls to finish their carousel ride.

 Monday was more low-key. We opted to skip the sandy mess and stick around the beach house. The girls played while we chatted and cleaned up. It was the perfect end to the perfect trip. Michelle's mother-in-law was right. The beach just has a way of healing you. Sometimes, it's just what you need. We all had so much fun. Can't wait to do it again!

The "smile and you'll get a treat" photo

The "I could care less about the treat" photo