4th of July at the beach

The weather this summer has been so unpredictable. We were once again watching and checking the weather reports hourly up until the day we left for the beach so we knew what to pack for 4 days and 3 kids at the beach house. We ended up needing our whole wardrobe. We got lucky up there. The weather Saturday was perfect and while the weather in Seattle on the 4th was rainy, we got away with clouds during the day, and sun breaks in time for dinner, s'mores, and fireworks. It was cold, but it was a fun time. I was a picture taking maniac since I love shots of the kids at the beach, and this was the first time we have been up to the beach since we got the new camera. This was the first time at the beach since Chase was 10 days old. Oh, where does the time go??

I have to say this was one of the more enjoyable times at the beach. The kids slept for the most part really well - well, except for the first night when Regen was channeling Guinness and was up every hour wondering if it was time to play on the beach, while Guinness slept soundly on the floor at our feet (that NEVER happens). It is fun to watch the kids just play and get so excited about finding beach glass, or a jelly fish. The tide was not low enough this year to really explore though. We went on some boat rides, mainly just to check the crab pots, but when I suggested that we go FAST out to the cruise ship to get a closer look, Claire was cheering, and Regen was most definitely not. The beach is Guinness' favorite spot too. He was a happy doggie lying in the sand and sun with his ball.


Chase's first time playing in the sand. He loved it. Every time we set him down he would make a bee-line to the water, so, we just let him crawl into the water. He put his hands in and started to cry, so he didn't do that again.


A few minutes after he sat in the sand, he leaned over and stuck his face right in it. Sand+drool+snotty nose = this:


Lots of sand and water playtime










Taking a walk looking for beach glass. We have quite the collection at home.


Yippee - she found one!


Riding in Papa's boat. Their faces should be opposite, because Claire was yelling "FASTER", and Regen was crying "SLOWER"!!


Once again this year, my dad feeds the local eagles turkey legs. They pretty much expect the daily treat now. They perch on the dock and wait for him to walk out, wave it in the air and throw it on the neighbors lawn. This year we got some pretty good shots of him coming in to get it.




there was an airshow that kept flying right over the house. We assume it was in Oak Harbor.



Papa and Anthony


Mmmmm... s'mores


Testing out the sparklers the night before the 4th


Another beautiful sunset...


4th of July - Happy Birthday Dad (and America)!!

The best shot of the kids. They were bundled up all day, and when the sun came out, we hurried up, took their layers off and tried to get a picture.


All of us


Chase eating shells...mmmmm



Ryan, Anthony and Amber


Stacey and Chuck


The kids liked the sparklers, but their favorite was the parachutes.


Anthony lighting off his roman candles


Stacey and Kelsey trying to stay warm by the fire. Kelsey and Claire watched a movie the entire time the fireworks were going - and amazingly enough, Josie and Chase slept through the entire thing. It was SO loud - babies are amazing.


The fireworks got a little loud while trying to eat s'mores. It was after this that Kelsey and Claire headed inside to watch Finding Nemo.


The loot and set up - we had some impressive stuff this year!!




Hurray!!! (you can't tell from the video how big and LOUD the beach was)