Coast Trip Tender Mercies

 Brian and I were just talking about all of the miracles and blessings that occurred during our coast trip Tuesday through Saturday. We arrived in Seaside Tuesday night and were able to walk along the beach and downtown that evening. The forecast showed rain and overcast our entire trip. We thought Tuesday night was going to be our only clear day. The next morning it was raining and overcast and chilly. We tried to go to Cannon Beach, but just got soaked and we're all cold.

  We went back to the hotel and the girls went swimming and we roasted marshmallows outside on their fake fire pit. It started to clear up, so we headed back to Cannon Beach where we played in the sand, the girls went boogie boarding with their dad, and we played some beach games :-) we went back to our hotel that night in Seaside, Oregon. 

 The next day on Thursday, we took some bikes that the hotel rented for free out on a ride near the beach. We had seen somebody riding their bike along the beach the night before, so we decided to take our bikes out on the beach. It was so fun riding right next to the surf. We saw so many partial sand dollar's and some that were full with the middle missing. Madison even found a live one, which I had never seen a live Sand dollar before. We had so much fun racing up and down the beach looking at the wildlife. We even saw a dead jellyfish :-) it felt like hard Jell-O. we were having so much fun we ended up having to hurry back to the hotel for checkout. By the time we left Seaside and we're traveling to Yachats, Oregon it clouded up and started to rain some.  Brian explained to me that on our walk on Cannon Beach Wednesday morning, he offered up a silent prayer that we would have good weather for this vacation. He pictured Christ calming the sea and knew that he did have control of the weather, but if it wasn't sunny, that was OK still. We were grateful for any sun that we got since the forecasted had said overcast and rainy the whole five days we were going to be there.

 I had seen someone skim boarding on this beach called _________ when we stopped to look at a view, so when we stopped in Newport on our way to Yachats’s, to get groceries, I saw a big five sporting good store and called them to see if they had any skim boards. The woman told me that they only had one left and I asked her to hold it for us. It was even on sale :-) we took it along with us to the Glasgow's in Yachats’s hoping that we would have some good weather Friday or Saturday.  By the time we arrived at Yachats and ate dinner, it had cleared up and we went for a walk along the beach and saw some tide pools and the sunset.

 We woke up Friday morning to a beautiful sunny day. We were so excited that we were at the beach by 9 AM afraid it might cloud over and start raining later on in the day. We ended up skim boarding and boogie boarding and building castles all morning.  We even caught a huge crab that we took a picture with.

  By 1 o'clock we came in and had lunch and then headed to go and see the spouting Horn and this amazing view point in cape Perpetua along with Thor’s Well, Which was on my bucket list of things to see. It was only five minutes away from where we were staying. We also went and saw devils churn which sounded like a dragon as it's a crevice in the rock where the tide comes in and crashes all along the sides.  We then went back for a short nap and game of Monopoly before heading to a fish and chips place nearby. 

  Then we went back and had a campfire on the beach, watch the sunset, and roasted marshmallows. It was a perfect evening until the bats came and the girls got a little nervous about that.  It was my first time having a campfire on the beach and I loved it! It was so fun to hear the waves crashing in while sitting by a fire.

  The next morning was another beautiful morning and we were at the beach by 9 AM skim boarding, building castles, boogie boarding in the huge waves!  Before we made it down to the beach that morning, Madison saw some blow sprays out in the ocean, which turned out to be a whale :-) we saw a couple more times before heading out to the beach. While boogie boarding that morning, Brian saw a seal about 15 feet away on top of a wave. They are such cute little guys, but are a little unnerving when they are so close.  We also saw a flock of pelicans that dive in and out of the waves. The day I stayed sunny for us as we packed up and checked out of the Glasgow’s cabin.  That was another miracle that my parents’ home teachers were the ones who own this cabin and let us rent it for a huge discount. It was so cozy and homey. I slept the best there in the kids really enjoyed the bunkbed, view of the beach, and fun games that they had there.  We packed up and checked out and headed home, but stopped at a few places where we saw some seals playing in the water. We then went to go and see the sea lions and saw a couple families also playing in the water. Another miracle was that the elevator down to the sea line cave wasn't working, so we didn't even have to Pay to go and look at the sea lions. Later on as we were driving home, they had some elk look out points.  We didn't think we would see anything, but lo and behold there was a small herd of them sitting in the grass with their huge antlers sticking up. Brian said that was the first time he had ever seen elk. We had beautiful sunny days most of the trip which we felt was a blessing and a miracle.  We had safe travels and the only injury was Madison's getting her knee skinned up a little bit and all of us sore from skim boarding and boogie boarding. It was so beautiful and picturesque. It made me so grateful for Heavenly Father and Christ for creating this beautiful earth for us to enjoy.  I feel like so many memories were created with her family because we had such good weather. I hope we never forget this trip and the family bonding that took place. And for all of the miracles that happened so that we could enjoy our time together.

The joy of being a kid

 Alice does this cleaning ritual of her toes often.  She says, "my toes dirty.  All clean".  She loves to clean out the lint from between her toes.  She will miss that in the summer when she isn't wearing socks all of the time.  

 Alice found this bowl and wore it for hours that first day and still wears it occasionally. She says, "Where my bowl."  

 The Young Women in my ward heart attacked my door.  It was so cute and thoughtful.  They delivered decorated cookies also.  It really made my night.

 Another January day at the Park.  We had fun riding scooters and playing tennis.

 Alice had fun too!!!

 I love the view from our balcony in the evening when the sun sets.  We get to see this often.  Alice likes to identify the colors.  Abby and Madison took this photo with my phone.

 I just had to take a picture of the girls sleeping.  They are so cute when they sleep.  They are dead to the world and sleep so deep.  To be a kid again and go to sleep and not wake up until the morning:-)

Soup, good weather, and crazy Hair Day

 I got the flu was was laid up for a few days and when we had to cancel our date that Sat. night, the babysitter we had asked to babysit (who is one of my 13 year old YW) offered to bring us dinner.  She made a delicious vegetable soup and some amazing artisan bread.  It felt so good on my sore throat and was what I ate for a few days until I felt better.  I am not so worried about the future of our youth if they do service like this for others.

 January in Medford!  Shortsleeved shirt and a day at the playground!  We were able to paint the girls nails and enjoy the wonderful weather.  It's times like these that I don't miss MI so much.  I miss the people, not so much the winters:-)

 Alice at the Mall Play area on the big bear:-)

 It was crazy hair day at school for the girls and Alice wanted to be a part of it all too!

 Abby went for more of the cute hair do verses the crazy one Madison did:-)

Happy Second Birthday Alice

 Alice wanted a Doc McStuffins cake.  This is what we came up with.  It's chocolate with Cream Cheese frosting.

 I made doc Mcstuffins dr. coats from boys shirts for the occasion.  The girls loved them.  They were complete with a name tag, pockets, and a Dr. _______ for each girl:-)

 Alice practiced blowing out candles, but when it came to the big day she needed a bit of help from Abby to get them blown out.  

 She was so cute about it:-)

I can't believe our little girl is two!  She is so big and so fun to have around.  She speaks very well and in full sentences.  She loves to "cuddle you", give kisses with her pointer finger, play pretend, read books, watch Mickey Mouse Play house, eat oatmeal (oatminal), and be outside.  She loves her sisters and would rather be with them than anyone else.  They also love her and treat her like the little princess she is:-)

Tender Mercies from the Lord

Funny times in the Evans home

 Alice loves a green smoothie, but when she doesn't have a straw, it can get a bit messy:-)

 Alice reading scriptures in the morning sporting our nerd Halloween dress-up glasses and pink boots all while still in pajamas:-)

 I came upon Alice like this...she was in awe of the air coming out of the vent and liked the feel of it on her hair.  She said, "Feel so good."

 The girls bonding with DAD!

 How fun...a tea party before church.  I love how the girls all get dressed well before church and play all morning in their dresses.

 This is Alice's seat in the Wal-Mart bathroom.  Isn't it funny.  She just loves it!

 Madison made these amazing lemon glazed muffins using the cook book Grandma McVea gave her for Christmas.  She has since made three other muffins/cupcakes from this recipe book.