At the Coast

Before we reached the coast, I realized our camera was still sitting packed and waiting to go on the couch in Salem - such disappointment! Thankfully, Travis' Mom had her video camera so at least we had a little something. Although better documentation of Carson's first trip to the ocean would have been nice, my consolation is it's not like this vacation is a trip to Italy or something that's once in a life. After all, we will be back in less than a year!

Our day at the Oregon coast started at the Hatfield Marine Science Center in Newport, OR. It's a great little place with plenty to see and do run by Oregon State University (Travis and my alma mater) and you can visit for free. Avery enjoyed looking at the petting tanks, but Carson really enjoyed the hands on experience.
Avery was very excited to identify this animal without any help...

After the Science Center and some lunch we headed for the South Beach (just south of Newport). It's funny how you never can tell what the weather will be like on the coast - and I mean literally the coast line, not even inland a mile. On this day it was hazy along the coast line, windy, and quite a bit chillier than the weather report. Luckily, it was only just cold enough to chill you but then you numb up and are fine. Besides, the more sun warmed sand you came in contact with, the warmer you could stay, so just get down and have some fun!

Avery loved running in the surf, despite the freezing temperature...
Carson actually loved running in the cold, wet sand and a bit of water too, but there weren't really any good pics of him running in the surf and this was a cute picture out by the water instead...
Somebody found a little green plastic dinosaur and Papa decided to "bury" it so Avery could dig up some treasure. This is Avery exclaiming over his spoils...
Time to bury Avery and Alli! Can you tell that Travis, Kevin and Ben are deriving an indecent amount of enjoyment from this particular activity...
Trying to escape... and Avery is losing his pants in the process - tho he did manage to wriggle free.
Kevin's turn to be buried - and Katrina's taking full advantage of his immobility!
Travis' turn, and Avery's going to get him too!
My turn!
Ben's turn to be buried. Can't you tell Travis and Kevin got their height from their Dad here?
Well, our faces are a little funny, but the wind was really blowing and there was a beach fire blowing smoke straight at us here - but this is the picture I've got so it'll do. :) (Only 2 months left on that belly!)
Before heading home, we stopped at the store and picked up some ice cream bars and sandwiches to enjoy on the drive back. What a fun day!