Memorial Day Weekend @ Ocean Shores

We got to go camping with my family over Memorial Day weekend (also my birthday) and had an absolute blast. We did end up getting rained out Sunday evening by monsoon rains (no exaggeration - check it out on weather channel . com). But even in that craziness, we had so much fun together! The kids were in heaven with so many people to play with them and being surrounded by dirt and yummy snacks. I'm pretty sure they think camping + the beach = heaven on earth.

Jackson in the hole he & Parker dug at our campsite
Everyone ready to "not bump into each other" at the slick track... one of Larry's favorite places at Ocean Shores
Kate looking cute & rag-a-muffin-ee as usual
Kate using the excess sand from the huge hole Daddy dug as a slide... looks like fun, right?
Grandpa (Larry), Uncle Josh & Jackson
Kate, Seth (Christian's friend), Josh, Jackson, Christian & Grandma enjoying the beach... the weather was actually pretty decent tonight, although finally cooled down as we were leaving
Parker wrote Jackson's name in the sand (it's huge), but Larry parked the car on top of it. I thought I could get a picture from the top of the "hedge", but you can't really see it (besides that the Yukon is parked on the K, S & O)
Jackson & Kate @ the beach
H-E-A-V-E-N for toddlers
Loving life!!
Really? Are there words? This is Kate in a nutshell (notice the sand in her mouth... she was licking the ground)
Jackson showing me one of his many "finds" along the shore
Awww... another Grandpa/Kate moment.
Here is Kate showing Grandpa all the sand on her tongue - gross.
Grandpa, Jackson & Josh
Another classic picture of Orphan Kate
Playing in the "sandbox at the ocean"
Jackson thoroughly enjoying himself... a huge playground with the biggest sandbox he's ever seen... it doesn't get much better than this!
Daddy (Parker) being silly
Uncle Christian, Seth (Christian's friend) & Kate digging a huge hole. Some of the phrases heard while listening to Christian & Seth dig their 3-4 foot hole in the sand: "Dude, we are like into the Earth's crust!" "We have totally reached water. [2 minutes later] We have reached complete liquid"
"JACKSON"
"KATELYNN"
"LUCY"
Seth & Christian - They were pretty half-hearted when I asked them to smile, so I waited a minute until they looked away and then said, "Oh, sick! Are you kidding me that a seagull just pooped on me?!" This was their genuine reaction. I am good.
Grandpa (Larry), Jackson & Kate, Parker playing on the beach/ coast
Jackson & Kate wanted to take off their shoes and socks just like Daddy... just love Dads!! They have SO many great ideas (it was SO cold... hence the heavy jackets and long sleeved shirts, long johns, etc...)
Mom & Larry (Grandma & Grandpa Breshears)
A little cold, but SO pretty!
Here's Kate without pants, shoes, socks... looks a little silly, but she insisted.
Daddy so excited to walk Jackson & Kate "into the ocean"
As you can see, Jackson didn't last too long. He headed back with Grandma, but Kate was tough and I'm pretty sure she was trying to figure out what Daddy thought was so great about the cold water.
In the end, she was covered in goosebumps and still turned toward the water to go back out. Crazy little girl!

Always room for one more?

I'm not sure how they all managed to fit under here, but they did
Can you tell Kate was getting a little tired? (feet up & crossed = sure sign)
I'm just not sure this will survive/ last for baby #4. I guess time will tell...
Kate giving Lucy a hug

Lucy... 3 months old

Our little Lucy is 3 months old. In some ways, it's gone by fast, but just like the other kids it's already difficult remembering life without her here.

Jackson is getting closer & closer to 3 and a 1/2... just signed him up for preschool... weird! I can't believe he's old enough to go to school, even if it is preschool. I'm excited for him and the adventure that this will be, but will admit that I worry SO much about the influences out there. I'm sure my prayers will become longer and longer as our kids grow and become more independent. I just hope they make wise decisions and that we can influence them for good as long as we have them!
Sleeping babies... doesn't get much better than this. Sweet little Katie girl. Plays hard, sleeps hard. She is such a little monkey, full of energy and smiles & giggles. I sure love these 3 sweet kids--how blessed we have been to be entrusted with them during this life!

Klamath Falls with the Blue Family

Lucy is getting so strong! She still seems very small (maybe she will just be a tiny little girl forever), but at her own pace, she is growing as she should be & getting stronger and stronger everyday.
Daddy hanging out with his little girls
If Kate were an animal, I'm pretty sure she would be a monkey hands down! She is loud, strong, climbs everywhere on every thing she sees & always has something to say (I'm sure she gets that from Parker... ha, ha, ha) After saying that, we sure adore our little monkey!
Smiley little Lucy Lou... almost 3 months old



Jackson & Daddy wrestling/ bugging each other -- this happens multiple times daily.
Jackson & Daddy, post wrestling match
Lucy & Kate
3 kids hanging out... Lucy, Jackson, Kate

Lucy & Jackson
Jackson (3y,5m), Cole (11 1/2m), Trey (2y, 6m), Kate (1y, 9m) & Lucy (3m)


Jackson
Kate giving Cole a little kiss

Parker had the opportunity to take a "detail" job down in Klamath Falls for the week. Apparently they were given a large amount of extra funds and were required to allocate the money ASAP. It was an extra work load, so they called in Parker and another person to help put contracts together.

We were lucky enough to be able to spend the week with our great friends, Shawn & April Blue and their 2 little boys, Trey & Cole--they live in Klamath Falls. It was so nice to spend the days with April and the boys while Parker worked, then have dinner & play together each evening. We got to do lots of fun things and ate way too much delicious food! The kids had SO much fun playing with each other and Parker & I really enjoyed spending time with our friends from La Grande. It was so nice to catch up and just hang out together! (I'm sure I brought my camera everywhere we went--out to eat, to the park, shopping, swimming, etc--but only thought to take pictures as they were leaving our hotel room the last night.)