An Epic Adventure: A Photojourney

*Insert Lord of the Rings theme music here*

One word for our week at the coast?

Majestic

This was Bailey's preferred method of transportation while on vacation. The views are much better from seven feet high.

Three goons at the ocean...cheese!!

Grandpa G helped Audrey fly her first kite! It took her a long time to warm up to it, but she was so excited!

Grandpa G's head is significantly larger than a kite

While we were at the beach, Bailey got buried in the sand; she was not a fan.

Bailey and Calvin's preferred method of conflict resolution is to hug it out.

John, Bailey and I took an early morning stroll on the beach...that's right...I'm wearing fleece in July.

And let's not forget the hot air balloon show!
...puzzle
It was a beast!

Calvin took a real liking to Grandma G; finding him sitting on her lap was not uncommon. I'm only a little bit jealous.

We packed everyone into the 15-passenger van to take a trip to the magical land of Tillamook

This facial expression pretty much sums up how we all felt when we got to the factory.

After ingesting more cheese than is recommended in a two-hour period, we headed back to the ocean for some much-needed exercise. I promise I do occasionally let that kid out of the carrier, it's just impossible to get her to stand still long enough to document it.

Unless Grandpa G has let her dress herself and don bathing suit bottoms as a hat, that is.

Auntie Em took us all out at low tide to view creatures only she can name

Here's my big girl sitting on the steps of the Yaquina Head Lighthouse

...and making the world's best pirate face at the Pirate bakery.

...and showing me her breakfast at Pig N Pancake on our way out of town.

We stopped at Multnomah Falls on our way home. Bailey did some serious hiking while her big sister chose to look cute posing for pictures.

By the time we made it to Multnomah, Bailey had decided Uncle Joe was her favorite person in the world. They hike, sightsee and eat nachos together. Long-range plans? Building robots together and dominating the world. Look out!

Before Emma left, we made Audrey try on her new sweater for size.

In other news...I'm still waiting on a pair of socks.

....waiting!!

After all that fun, family and cake the kiddos were worn out!

I still stick to my guns that the most important gifts we can give our children are experiences. This one really topped the charts!