4th of July Week 2012

This year, tuna season started super early.  Mark's first trip out was June 23rd, and they caught 10.   Usually unheard before July!  Since the 4th fell in the middle of the week this year, we went down on a Thursday night, the weekend before.  Mark had big plans for another tuna trip on Saturday, but started feeling like he was coming down with something the day we left.  Remember how June was the month of sickness here?  Ugh, somehow, amazingly he hadn't caught it.  Well, he wasn't spared.  By Thursday night, he was super sick and popping pain meds for his throat.  Friday he was worse, and spent most of the day in bed.  Thankfully, Grammy and Papa were down for the week at their house so we spent most of the day there so that he could rest. 

Saturday's fishing trip was canceled, and Mark (barely able to talk, swallow or eat) decided that he'd better head into the Tillamook ER.  The older 3 kids stayed with G & P, while Teague and I took him in to the hospital.  It was a good thing we did.  The Dr. took one look at his throat and told Mark that had he waited much longer to come in, his tonsils would have abscessed, and he would have been looking at surgery!  The dr assumed strep, although wasn't able to take an official test due to how swollen his throat was, gave him a long list of prescription meds to get, and we were off.  It took just a day or two before the meds really started kicking in, and we were able to do some fun things as a family.

Oceanside


One of our favorite little towns along the Oregon Coast is Oceanside.  It's absolutely beautiful, has a laid back feel and a great beach to play on complete with a tunnel through the rocky cliff to another beach (Aspen's favorite).  The kids were super excited for the sunny weather, and the fact that they got to play in the ocean.

Teague 7 1/2 months

He loves the beach, and the feel of sand on his feet and in his toes.  But for a Mommy, he's not at an easy age to bring to the beach.  It takes just a couple minutes of playing, before handfuls of sand make their way to his mouth.  It's a mess every time!

Journey 5 1/2

Aspen 8

 Love them...  Quick pose before they were off and running into the water  :)

The beach here is much safer than in Rockaway.  I don't normally let them play in the ocean there when it's just me with four kids!

Seriously.  No words. 

Love my girls.

Love the look on Aspen's face  :)

Willow 2 1/2 - fun in motion

Teague's spot with me while we kept an eye on the kids in the water.

 Parade! 

Mark and both Papa's were tuna fishing for the 4th.  I am so thankful Grammy was here to come to the parade with us.  The kids had been looking forward to it for months, so we definitely weren't gonna miss it...even with Willow being sick

 Ready for the parade to start.

Aspen and Journey ready to get the candy.  Willow wasn't feeling good that day (I think strep), and spent most of the parade in the stroller.  I was secretly so proud of Aspen and Journey who made sure to fill her bucket with candy, and give her the best picks first (without being prompted).

Daddy's Boy

 Mark had been gone all afternoon at the docks getting ready for a fishing trip, and this was how Teague responded when he walked in....  oh my goodness..  How can you not just melt?  Such a sweet boy.


More fun on the beach....

 Aspen, Journey and I were able to go to the beach and take a walk while Teague and Willow napped at Grammy's beach house.  It was such a weird feeling to be walking down the beach with just them two.  It gave me a little vision into what life would have been like had we of stopped with Journey.   So different!  They are getting so much bigger and more independent.  We had no problem walking quite far (something I'd never do at this point with all four), talking the whole time about random things. 

He's such a boy!