Mini-Vacation to Garibaldi

Since things like Groupon and Dealchicken have come out, I keep buying us these half-price deals.  This weekend, I got one that allowed your Dad and I to ride the old steam engine train between Garibaldi and Rockaway Beach for half-price.  You are still young enough that you were free!  So, since we haven't gotten out much this year, I decided to make it a mini-vacation.  I got us a room at the Garibaldi Inn.  It's not like there are too many places to stay in Garibaldi itself but this place was pretty cute. 

We drove over Friday afternoon and checked-in.  They have cheese and sausage and later had homemade clam chowder.  Your Dad gave blood recently and the Red Cross had a special going with restaurants.com.  So, I got one for a nice restaurant in Netarts.  After we checked-in and got settled, we drove over to Netarts for dinner.  The food was great.  Your Dad had Surf and Turf with prawns.  The steak was just melt in your mouth perfect.  I had oysters.  You know they are fresh when you watch the fish monger guy walk in with a bag of them.  Both meals came with the best mashed potatoes we've ever had - bacon, fresh red-skinned potatoes, and probably heavy cream and cheese!!!  You seemed to enjoy your grilled cheese and fries as well.  After dinner we walked around the bay a little bit and watched the sun start to go down.  I miss sunsets on the coast.  They can just be so beautiful.  We also drove to Oceanside on our way back to the motel and you and your Dad walked on the beach while I took pictures of the sunset.

The next day you and I wandered down to the breakfast area in our pjs.  You ended up eating an entire make your own waffle with whipped cream cheese and marionberry syrup.  Your Dad eventually joined us ;)  You and I went swimming in the pool and played in the hot tub for almost an hour after that.  You are pretty fearless around water and just seem to love it!  Then we went and found a little park and you played on the slide.  Your Dad got you and him donuts from the local bakery.  I tried to get you to take a nap but you were more interested in destroying the room while I napped and your Dad watched a Beavers game.  I really wanted you to take a nap so you would be awake and happy for the train ride.  Not exactly how it happened. 

The weather was sooo nice and your Dad was able to find a seat for us on the open-air car.  As soon as the train started, you feel asleep.  We got off at Rockaway Beach and you and I sat in the sun while your Dad walked around the beach a bit.  Then you woke up and got to enjoy the train ride home.  They had pulled-pork sliders at the hotel that night so you and your Dad had some.  Then, we went and split blizzards at the DQ down the street for the rest of our dinner :)

Today, we got up and again you had a waffle for breakfast.  Then, we drove over to Cape Meares beach.  Your Dad and I had never been there; only to the lighthouse itself.  The beach was beautiful.  You and your Dad walked a lot on the beach and I just sat in the sun and enjoyed myself; didn't get any pictures of this beach like I should have.  Walking at this point in the pregnancy is pretty uncomfortable.  After that, we went to the Cape Meares lighthouse.  It's probably my favorite lighthouse on the coast.  Maybe because it looks miniature to me.  Not sure though.  You did pretty well and walked most of the way.  Your Dad carried you a bit on the way back up the hill.  Then we drove back along the coast and through Pacific City.  On our way back, we stopped at Gma and Gpa Jones' house for dinner.  I cannot believe how much you ate!  At least three pieces of ham, half an ear of corn, bunch of funeral potatoes, and a LOT of strawberry shortcake!  All in all, it turned out to be a pretty good weekend.  You only had a couple of meltdowns.

In a Sunbeam

You would think you were part cat.  I woke up from my nap to find you snoring (your nose is a bit stuffed up) on the floor in the front room in a sunbeam!  Your dad's comment, "A warm baby is a sleepy baby."  Too darn cute.

On Our Own and Tamale Pie

Your Dad had his first class with H&R Block tonight so we were on our own.  You helped me make Tamale Pie and we read books.  We both enjoyed the Tamale Pie and you enjoyed eating the olives and fresh corn while we were making the Tamale Pie.

State Fair with Grandma and Grandpa Jones

Your Dad and I had free tickets to the State Fair and Grandma and Grandpa Jones were going with us.  When we got up to the ticket booth, a guy came up from behind us and handed free tickets to them too.  So, we didn't have to pay anything for the five of us to go to the fair today.  That was extremely cool.

But, you had a meltdown during the hypnotist show.  Afterwards you enjoyed the petting zoo and the reptile exhibit.  Especially, the tortoises.  Then, Grandma Bonnie got you an ice cream cone before we watched some acrobat type folks from Africa.  None of us really wanted fair food so Grandma and Grandpa treated us to Apple-bee's afterwards as a thank you for your Dad helping them paint the garage last week.

Now you are all jacked up and screaming your head off...not exactly going to bed like we would hope.

Pointing the turtle out to Grandma Bonnie!

Playing with stuff out of Grandma's purse.

Almost Last Game of the Season

Last night we went to a Keizer Volcanoes baseball game - 2nd to last of the year.  I got a coupon so it was half price for Daddy and I and you were free.  Also, Friday nights are fireworks night after the game.  Good thing we were in the outfield seats.  It gave you and all the other little kids plenty of room to run and roam and roll down the hill.

Running around the fence along outfield.  Kept Daddy busy for most of the night!

These pictures show you with your sandals on...this was one of the only times you had them on.  You really seem to dislike shoes as much as I do!  Later I put you in pjs so you would stay warmer and it would be easy to put you in bed since we didn't get home until after 10:30.

I'm always a little surprised at how comfortable you seem to feel in situations that I know would have freaked me out as a kid.  You are perfectly happy to explore and talk to new people.  I want to encourage this and figure out a way to teach you how to keep yourself safe!

Silly faces!

 Before the game ended, they had a water truck spray down the area where they were setting off the fireworks.  You were especially interested in watching that.  I'm not sure you were as excited about the fireworks this year as last.  The picture below makes you look concerned...you weren't.  I think it was the multiple flashes on Mom's silly camera that made you look concerned.  All in all, a pretty pleasant evening.  I could have wore warmer clothes or brought another blanket.  Darn, it's starting to feel like fall already!

Watching the fireworks show after the game.