Oregon Coast...

 This years big family trip was camping along the Oregon Coast.  To sum it all up I have added a "few" pictures.

Our trip started off with a bit of a 'hitch'! A sensor went out in my parents car and the car ran at 4000 rpm and would never downshift.  Well you go through quite a bit of gas running like that.  Luckily in Caldwell Idaho where we spent our first night they had a Dodge Dealership that my parents took the Durango to and where it spent the week.  My parents got a rental and we towed the tent trailer.  But before leaving we decided it would be best if we bought a new hitch since our car is a bit taller then my parents and it towed the trailer pretty uneven.  The picture below is of Nic and my dad installing the ball on the hitch using tools they found at Walmart since the service guys at Walmart said they don't do that.

 Boy were we glad we bought the hitch because not more then an hour later a tire blew on the trailer.

 I love these handy men!

Dad said he looked for new tires before leaving for the trip but everyone was out of the size needed. It was a miracle to find a little town in Oregon that had 2 tires that were the right size.  So after getting the tires changed we were on our way again. 

If I were to live in Oregon Bend would be my choice.  I loved this little town.  We stopped so the kids could get out and run around for awhile since we had spent the better part of the day driving.  

 Around 9 pm we finally made it to Silver Falls. The next morning we spent hiking to the different falls.  This was one of my highlights of the trip.  Our camera doesn't pick out the green that is so vibrant throughout Oregon.

 Payton is so strong!

 We packed up that afternoon and drove to our next destination in Newport.

 She loved the sand.

 Grandpa teaching them about kelp.

 I caught this little guy.  Dinner!

 Davy Jones..

 The beach is my happy place!

 We spent the next day exploring Newport.  We went to the Aquarium, tide pooling, and of course had dinner at Mo's!

 

 If you couldn't tell I love Sunsets.  At some point here we drove to our next stop at Cape Lookout.
Gray Whale..

 We did a hike to the lookout point.  In my mind I pictured us going for a little walk so I didn't pack snacks luckily mom and dad had some because this little walk turned into a 6 mile hike.  So proud of my kiddos and mom as well.  She has a completely torn acl and actually needs a whole knee replacement but she did this and the entire trip with no complaining. 

 Octopus Tree in Cape Meares.

 Dad and I woke up early for a nice morning walk on the beach.

 On our way back home we stopped in Tillamook for ice cream and to see the cheese factory.

 Multnomah Falls is such a beautiful spot.  There were a lot more people here on a Saturday in July then there were on a Saturday in January.

 Reuniting with the Durango after being fixed for the week.

Nic and my dad made it home Sunday night while my mom and the kids and I stayed the night in Lava.  We spent a fun day at the pool on Monday and if you ask Payton this was her highlight of the trip.  She was brave and jumped off the high dive and did the big speed slides! Connor also conquered his fear of the curly slides and wished he was tall enough to do the speed slides.

I'm so glad we were able to do this trip as a family.  I am grateful for my parents and taking us on all of these adventures.