Beach Cruzin'

It's a holiday weekend and the kids need school clothes so we needed to head to the beach.  Since we go to the beach 3-4 times a year, we have a bit of a routine.

We stayed at my parent's condo here in Taft:

After breakfast at our usual haunt, the Spouting Horn (sorry, no photo as the camera battery was charging while we were eating breakfast), we went straight to the Tanger Outlet Stores to get the kids their school clothes.  We usually do well at Osh Kosh and they did not disappoint.  The kids should be good to go for the next 9 months.

The afternoon was so nice that after shopping, the kids spent a long time playing on the beach while Luis and I tried to watch some of the first weekend of college football.  I had to make an emergency run to the store to buy sunscreen because it was so nice out.

For dinner, as we usually do, we headed south to Newport to our favorite seafood restaurant Local Ocean Seafoods.  I recommend the Fishwives Stew.  This place has earned a reputation as the place to eat in Newport and as such, the wait is often long.  Best plan is to get your name in (they don't take reservations) and then go for a walk around the old Newport bay front.  The restaurant sends a text when your table is ready.  This may seem like a lot of effort but trust me, it's well worth it.

Newport is also important because it is the home of Aunt Belinda's Candy Shop - home of the pecan caramel log roll and the taffy boat.  We loaded up on both plus the kids and Luis threw in a few of their favorites.

We also visited our sea lion friends on their favorite dock by the Underwater Museum.  They were in fine form and barking away.

The kids watching the sea lions.

Both kids managed to talk me into getting them some cool new shoes for school.  Siena's sporting her Hello Kitty high tops and Mason has his no-tie Converse.

If we're eating breakfast out 2 days at the beach, breakfast joint #2 is always Lil' Sambo's which is toward the north end of Lincoln City.  They have a good kids menu, including hot chocolate with lots of whipped cream.

Usually once a beach trip we try to find something new to do or someplace new to go.  I read about Hug Point on the internet and thought it might be a fun place to check out.  The family was game for this adventure so we headed up north.  Hug Point is located just south of Cannon Beach and is a really great little beach for playing in the sand and exploring.  It didn't hurt that the weather was absolutely perfect. 

Mason checking out some of the many caves around Hug Point.

Plus a cute little waterfall.

Siena by one of the picturesque high clips.

It was so nice that we even played in the water a little bit.  Enough to get our feet and bottom of shorts wet at least.  This still isn't Puerto Rico.

The kids and Luis.

Here's a picture of the original stagecoach road that ran along the coast before the highway was built. Pioneers traveling along this headland had to hug this particular point even at low tide, hence the name Hug Point.  Now it is home to tide pools and a view of the coastline.

Feet in the water.

Siena loves playing in the sand.

Mason shares some of my Scandinavian blood and we both had some fun wading in the water.

Turns out Cannon Beach was crazy busy, what with it being a holiday weekend at all so after lunch, we headed back home.  We needed today (Labor Day) to relax and get ready for the upcoming school year.

A Really Tall Waterfall

Somehow after living in Oregon as long as Luis and I have, neither of us had ever hiked up to the top of Multnomah Falls.  As we had no real plans for the weekend, this seemed like as good a time as any.  And the kids were up to the challenge so this morning we hopped into the car and down the Gorge we drove.

Artsy shot #1.

Artsy shot #2.

Artsy shot #3.

So much for scenery.  Now it's time to climb up those 11 switchbacks!

We saw these fawns on our way up.  It looks as though they still need to grow into their ears.

Finally...the top.  The waterfall looks like a just little trickle from up here.  It's a long way down though.

The kids and I proving we made it all the way up.  Yes, we are sweaty.

Artsy shot #4.  This is just above the big drop.

The kids cooling themselves in the stream just above the falls.

Hiker dude.

Luis and Siena climbing the uphill before we get to go downhill.  Nevermind if that's confusing...

Artsy shot #5.

Oh, finally a downhill!

A little break near the bottom.

It was a fun walk and we got done before the crowds descended.  We spent the rest of the weekend at home handing out at home and it was wonderful.

Just a Bunch of Animals

After a week of summer camps, swimming with the cousins, and swimming lessons, more summer fun was still just around the corner.  Luis made zoo plans with some coworkers and the kids and I were in!

First we had to check out some bears.  It's not the zoo without a big black bear...

Some sibling love.  And a brief break at a bench.  We zooed for 4 hours...standing and walking almost the whole time.  We were tired Cruzes by the end of the afternoon.

Luis takes the smell test.

Mason measuring up with an eagle.

More sibling fun posing in front of fake fish.

Ribbit.

We got to see baby Lili!  She was getting some motherly love from Mama Rose-Tu.

We loved watching little Lili.

No trip to the zoo is complete without some snacks.  Mason, Luis, and I enjoyed some elephant ears.  Siena went for a snow cone that was the same color as her eyes!

Mason climbing around.

More climbing around.

Siena may have enjoyed looking at the pink flamingos but not so much the smell.

It's a boy.

Measuring up to some bears.

Got Coke?

Measuring up to some monkey's.

Despite complaints of being tired by this point in the zoo, the kids were all energy when they found the jungle gym.

After the zoo, we had a nice dinner at Gustav's and relaxed at home.

Today was a beautiful day.  I got to spend a couple of hours on the Waverunner on the river while Luis took the kids to pick out a new Harry Potter video game.  It was his prize for 3 weeks of good sleeping (this is a big accomplishment).  Today was also the annual Fairoaks Neighborhood Block Party which we always enjoy.

We didn't have too much time to get decked out for the parade but Siena put in a good appearance regardless.

Mason decided to skateboard in the parade this year for the first time.

Siena parading.

Meow!

Luis and I defended our water balloon toss title again this year.  Here's an action shot!  (Photo courtesy of Siena)

Cooling off in the wading pool with fellow Riverside schoolmates Rose and Claire.

Dragon boy.

Ice cream to top off the wonderful food!

We're all a little worn out after two days of non-stop action in the sun.  It's sure to be a busy week with soccer starting and quarter end but it's sure to go fast.