Family Vacation: Hello beach.

So, after resting in Portland in a very questionable Days Inn, we awoke bright and early (thanks to the hour time change), ate some cereal at the again very questionable continental breakfast and headed off in our truck that now had 19 miles on it. The drive to Seaside was gorgeous. I mean breathtaking and amazing. It is soooooooooooo green there. It was not warm though. We arrived to our destination. Seaside is so charming and adorable and freezing. We parked (our luggage was already loaded inside the truck because it had rained on the way, perhaps we should have gone with the Lincoln) put on our sweatshirts and headed to the beach. It was insanely crowded (it was Sunday) with crazy Frisbee tournaments and bbq parties. Did these people not know that it was 50 degrees outside? Also, many of these groups were dressed weird and liked yelling profanities really loud. I was not so crazy about that part. I would have taken a picture, but I was so bugged I couldn't bring myself to do it. Seriously? Children around? Geez. Anyway, Griffin's first step into the sand is quite priceless. . .

He did not appreciate the grainy sand in his sandals. Once the shoes were removed, he found it quite enjoyable. Plus this beach had swings, so he was stoked.

Keith and Benson discovered a giant hole and had fun playing in it, while I pushed Griffey in the swing. We came over to play after I convinced Griff it would be fun. At one point a lady came over and asked Keith if he dug the hole himself. Keith found this question quite humorous, as the hole was HUGE and we were clean. He told the lady he had used the force the dig the hole. She looked at him weird, gave an awkward laugh and walked away. I think we laughed about that the whole trip.

The only item I forgot was a hairbrush, so we stopped by the store to get one before getting to the beach and the kids picked out a baseball bat and ball to play with. Benson LOVED the beach, everything about it. This was his reaction when it was time to head back to the truck (please note the soaking wet shorts).

I quite adore Keith's face in this picture. He could not figure out why we didn't go to a warmer place with a beach. He kept saying, "Why didn't we go to Florida? It is actually warm there." He was a good sport though and played with those boys like a wild man the whole trip. We sure worship our Daddy.

I loved returning to the beach I have been to so many times. We went to Seaside every year growing up, but this was my first time back in almost 10 years (that makes me feel old). I loved getting my bum all sandy and telling Keith and the boys about all of our silly adventures from my childhood. I may have even cried, but that may or may not have to do with me slowly approaching my third trimester and having very little emotional control. More on that later. :)

Family Vacation: Getting there . . .

We recently returned from our 8 day trip to the beautiful beaches of the Oregon Coast, the busy streets of Seattle Washington, and a few days visiting our cousins in Richland Washington. I really want to remember the details of the trip, so I am going to write about it in several boring posts filled with pictures and memories. We left on Saturday night (the 17th). Benson was so so so so so excited to ride the airplane. And the bus that takes you from the parking lot to the airport. Basically any mode of transportation is complete joy for my little boys.

Benson also had several expectations for the trip. He told us several weeks in advance that he would get pretzels and apple juice on the airplane. He got his wish . . .

This is Keith and our long line of luggage. We were quite the site at the airport. Keith took care of all our cargo, while I held the boys hands and tried to keep myself from giving birth. Seriously, I laugh just thinking about how ridiculous we must have looked. I was just grateful I wasn't doing it alone.

The boys loved loved loved the airplane ride. This was Griffin's first trip on an airplane. Benson has been on several, but it has been a long time. They loved going fast and taking off, looking out the window, the tv screens on the seats in front of them, they loved it all. Griffin felt the pressure change during the landing. He didn't cry, just sat and patted his ears.

These pictures are out of order, oh well. Here is Griffey and I on the shuttle bus. No carseats or seatbelts in a motorized vehicle was very exhilarating for the boys. I had so much fun just laughing at them.

We were so excited to go, that we got to the airport insanely early. This gave the boys plenty of time to act crazy and get all riled up before departing. Griffin even attempting drinking out of a complete stranger's soda, which was awesome. Ok, not really. Already at this point in the trip I was thinking, why did we bring the kids? hahaha. Keith and I generally "vacation" without the kids. It makes for a much more relaxing experience.

Benson was a great traveller. I think he would have been happy if we spent the entire time on airplanes and buses. And maybe trains and boats.

We finally made it to Portland at about 10:00 pm. This is Griffin making a slide out of the rental car building. We reserved a "Pontiac G6 or similar." When we arrived, all they had was a Lincoln Town and Country (seriously?), an 18 Passenger Van (Keith really wanted this one) or a Ford F150. Ultimately, Keith chose the truck. It had 7 miles on it and Keith was in heaven. Don't be surprised if an upcoming post is entitled, "Our new truck" instead of "Our new minivan."

So, we made it there safe and sound. By the time we made it to the hotel, we were exhausted! Stay tuned for the rest of the trip in later posts . . .

Every girl's dream

When I was pregnant with Benson, I remember dreaming of the sweet little boy that would come to our family. I hoped and prayed that he would come out looking like my sweet hubby. What girl doesn't want a repeat of the boy they married? Benson, came out with white hair and looked slightly like my cousin Russell (odd? yes!), not so much like my Eternal Companion. As time has gone by, we know that Benson happens to be a clone of me and my dad. Our baby pictures look almost exactly alike.

Luckily, Benson was not my only attempt at getting a Keith repeat. Griffin Bishop did not disappoint. He is my Mini-Keith. Everything about these two is similar. These two just happen to be the cutest around, with fun personalities to match. They are both crazy! I love it.

Griffin worships his dad (Benson does too). Sometimes he lays in bed at naptime and says, "I want my daddy."

I think Keith happens to quite enjoy his little clone.

I love that I get to watch the two of them together. It makes me smile.

So, we have two clones. What on earth will we get next? We have less than four months to find out! Once again, this baby cannot come fast enough. Keith and I sit around and daydream of this sweet baby boy who will join our family soon. What will he be like? We can't wait to see!

P.S. Stay tuned for my list of "maternity must-haves."

Independence Day on our new bikes!

We celebrated our nation's birthday in Logan again this year. I love the Logan fireworks, they are so fun. I loved that they were on Friday night, so we were still able to be home on the actual 4th. While in Logan, one of our favorite stores (Al's Sporting Goods) was having a spectacular bike sale, so we went to check it out. We left with sweet new bikes, one for Keith and one for me! We are so excited! We went for a seven mile bike ride last night, and Keith rode his bike ten miles to work this morning! I am hoping this new toy will keep my entire body from looking pregnant. It hasn't worked just yet.

Pulling sixty pounds of munchkins is quite a workout. The boys love it, they say "weeeeeeeeeee" basically the whole time. I have also become a committed helmet wearer, since my niece Maggie was hit by a car last month and her helmet saved her life.


Here is Benson pulling Griffin in the wagon at Grandma's house. They took turns pulling each other for quite a while. Aren't they adorable?

And the fireworks! My kids stayed awake this year. Benson loved them. Griffin was not so sure. Love this scared face.

Benson's sweet glowstick, I could munch on those cute legs.

The baby boy loving the fireworks. He kicked and wiggled the whole time.

I love America!

I like boys

I really do. I love how simple boys are. I love how easily entertained they are. I love that the sweet boy I married will go shopping (he even loves to grocery shop, I attribute that to his sweet mother and the fact that he is the baby of his family) and see chick movies at midnight with me.

I love that come November, we will add a boy to this picture. Here are my boys at the Owlz game. Season tickets remember? Luckily, my guy Keith doesn't care about going to every game and will go when I decide I want to. Who wouldn't want to go? Corn dogs, baseball, diet coke, cute boys?! I love Griffin's face in this picture.

This is my baby boy for a few more months. He is talking lots now, and I am loving it!

Benson and Griffin love to quote movies. Currently they quote Nacho Libre and say "gonnagiveya a SQUEEZE!" and then they hug each other. Hilarious.

These boys even love me with brown hair. I am not sure why.

I am one lucky girl.

Bring on another boy! We are ready! Too bad we have to wait a little longer, we want him here now!