Back to the Beach!

Temperatures this week were through the roof. According to the news this weekend, the Portland area set a record for days straight over 90 degrees - 9. 90 degrees is fine. Its the 109 degree days we had during the middle of last week that were MISERABLE. And we have AC. Unfortunately, for whatever reason, our house doesn't totally cool down. Due to the upstairs being in the upper 90's most of the week, I spent the week sleeping in the den which was at least 5 degrees cooler than the upstairs. Hey, when you're desperate, every little bit helps.

So, like most Portlanders, we headed to the much cooler and pleasant Oregon Coast (aka Yaya's beachhouse).

The high in Lincoln City was 70 and it was fabulous! And I'm continuing to play with the color settings. Get used to it.

Here's the Bubba playing on the beach!
And Miss Siena. These kids LOVE the beach!
They're even brave enough to test the cold ocean water.

Siena likes filling up her watering can and watering the sand...

Yup, that's cold water!

My climber boy! This time on a log.

Mason had a jolly time burying my legs in sand.

And we built a sandcastle!

There was a sandcastle contest being held along our beach... A prize for anyone that can guess which one is ours:

After a visit to Lincoln City's farmer's market, which consisted of about 4 tents (is that really enough to constitute a farmer's market?!?) and a couple pints of blueberries (our favorite), we headed south to Newport. Newport is home to my favorite brewery and one of our family's favorite restaurants...Rogue. Here's the boys at the brewery restaurant. Note the light fixures made out of beer kegs in the background...

A girl and her Shakespeare stout...my all time favorite beer. Isn't it beautiful?!?

Not that I'm biased or anything (yeah right) but my kids have become pretty darn good colorers. Here are the pictures they did at Rogue. And all were done with zero help from anyone!

Yup, my kids are gifted.Most people who know me know that I'm not exactly a flower person. However, at breakfast at our favorite breakfast joint, The Spouting Horn, I spotted a nice centerpiece and got a nice shot which I will happily show off...is noticing flowers a sign that Yaya is finally rubbing off on me???

It was a really fun weekend at the coast. We're back home now and though its 90 degrees, its at least cooler than last week. Back to the daily grind tomorrow.

Luis reminded me last night that I haven't done a movie review in a while. Mainly that's because we've been so busy that the blog has been superlong even without it. Regardless, here's a quicky review:

"W" - This was good. Entertaining. Course, I hated "W" going into this movie and since this film reinforced that impression, I was on board. Recommended.

"Journey to the Center of the Earth" - Luis liked it. I thought it was a bit cheesy but watchable. I doubt I'd watch it again. Not remotely believeable. The effects are good but overall this film was not particularly memorable.

"Get Smart" - Loved it, loved it, loved it! Who woulda thought. I liked the show as a kid (on rerun of course, I'm not that old) but the movie was a blast. Fast paced, entertaining, smart, and well played. Two big thumbs up!

Summer Weekends are HOT!

So when the weather forecast calls for temperatures pushing the upper 90's and 100's, what is a Cruz to do but head for the water. And thats what we did.

It took a new battery but we got our Waverunner up and running for the first time this summer.

Gloria and Jose joined us down at Clackamette park to hang out by the river.
Luis on the boat.
The kids each went for a ride. According to Mason, he was going "so fast"!!! In reality, he was going about 25 mph.

The kids were also thrilled to just play around in the water.

The Cruzes.

Me and my favorite toy.

Onward to Sunday, which was just as warm if not warmer. My cousin Shelley's significant other was in town from Minnesota so the Johnson's hosted a bbq so we could all meet him. Bessie and Art came out for the occasion.

Of course my cousin's Shelley and Travis were there.

And Berren. I think the chips were his favorite part.

Shelley's b-friend Adam is on the left and Dan is on the right.

This is my cousin Amanda and her boyfriend Tyson.

My kids were all about the swimming pool. They were in it more or less for 3 straight hours, stopping only briefly for food. Mason, living the life of luxury...

Siena learned how to use water wings. She's like a pro.

Heidi in action!

Wet Mason.

The Slip and Slide was also a hit, especially with the big kids. Tyson and Adam had a distance contest. Judging by this though, it could have been a biggest splash contest.

Shelley and Amanda poolside...

Is it me, or is this a look that says "you've taken enough pictures".

The siblings - Mary Lou, Joanne, and my dad. Its not often you catch them all sitting in a nice row like this.
Dan...in a dress?

The new couple talks sweetly to each other on the left, the long-term couple, they just do their homework.

Uh oh. Shelley's cat is in trouble now...

Kids and a Slip and Slide.

Kinney Picnic 2009

Today was the first Kinney family picnic in at least a decade. We used to have the big family picnic every summer, usually at different parks around town. However, since Grandma Kinney passed away 9 years ago, we just haven't done the picnic. Mom decided though that this year was the year and organized & hosted the party at her place.

The sign looked a lot better earlier in the day (I actually took this as we were leaving).
The official commemorative cake.
As in years past, there has never been a shortage of food. This was just one table...

The hostess herself. I'm sure she will not be pleased that I included this photo so lets focus on her lovely new juice dispenser.

Mom and Siena with Mom's brother Leonard.

Mason plopped his favorite Cars chair in the shade. He insisted on bringing this chair an even decorated it with stickers this morning for the event.

More fun with color settings on the camera. I wish I had discovered this feature months ago!

This sepia picture had potential had the sun not been behind the lovely couple.

This is my cousin Denise and her husband Sabah. They made the trip from Michigan to attend this year's picnic.

The Betty's! On the left is my cousin Betty. She is the second oldest of the 20 grandkids (she missed being the oldest by 1 day). To her right is Betty Eggert. Betty is a sister to my aunts Lucie and Jean, both of whom married my mom's brothers.

Ron and Lucie. In keeping with the documentation of the Kinney family tree, Ron is mom's brother.

Yaya and her Nannies.

The Kinney sisters - Annette and Jan.

Dad just recently got his tractor fixed up and painted. It looks so darn good now that I don't think he can use it for work anymore.

Mason's willing to take it out for a spin though.

This is my cousin Betty again with her significant other of 3 years, Jay.

Mason again. He's just everywhere!

Walt, Leonard, and Nadeen. Nadeen is the oldest child of my great aunt Edna. Edna and my grandma Kinney were sisters. We hadn't seen Nadeen in years so it was neat that she and her daughters and granddaughters were able to come.

There's that Mason boy again. This time with his favorite dog Toby.

The hostess with the mostess!

Miss Stephanie. This is Mason's girlfriend for this week. Stephanie is my cousin Denise's daughter.

From left, husband (whose name I've already forgotten) of Ethel Marie (Grandma Kinney's cousin), Walt, Delaney (Larry's wife), and my cousin Larry.

I'm still trying to figure out what look Walt was going for here with his pants...

Me and my Bubbas...

Siena had a creative way of wearing her name tag. 25 points if you can find it...

Papa Ron. The official landscape artist of the picnic.

Uncle Ron and Sabah...taking it all in.

It was a great picnic. If anyone knows how to host a family function, its my mom. Every family needs the one member who keeps everyone together. In years past it was Grandma Kinney. Since Grandma passed away, I think my mom has done a fantastic job of stepping into that role and keeping the family together. She's a natural and we all really appreciate her efforts!