Halfway through our trip, we stumbled upon a total gem of a beach called Indian Beach. I make it sound like it's this hidden, secret place but really it is a beach within Ecola State Park which is advertised with good signage throughout the town of Cannon Beach. With the iconic Haystack Rock, I guess I've never felt the need to venture very far from Cannon Beach itself. I guess we have our kids to thank for this discovery. We were a few days into the trip and I hit a wall and desperately needed some space. Graham graciously loaded up the kiddos and I strapped on my running shoes. We didn't really make exact plans but while I was out running, he sent me a text saying they were in the state park. I happened to be near the entrance so told him I would run in and meet him there. The tsunami evacuation route signs probably should have clued me in to the fact that this would not be a leisurely jog but in the end, it was awesome! Climbing hills = great views. And then great beaches too as we wound our way down to Indian Beach. Apparently it's a go-to spot for Oregon surfers but for us it provided a wonderfully calm and wind-free spot for two days of beach play.

The beach itself was beautiful and there was an awesome little shallow creek that provided a great spot for the kids (and Graham!) to have all sorts of fun. They worked really hard to build a dam on both days as we were surprised to find the dam they'd nearly finished on day one totally taken apart when we returned the following afternoon. (Oops. We probably messed with some more ecologically- focused types).

We ate in on the last night of our trip, making good use of the outdoor areas of our cottage. These next couple shots turned out a little blurry but I still just love them for the sibling love and joy they capture.

These two in particular are incredibly bonded.

One last family shot of all my favs - the kids ask regularly when we can go back. I just tell them to go ask their dad. :)

Ice cream adventures and Tillamook Cheese

 We spent the vast majority of our time in Oregon within a few miles of Cannon Beach itself but we did take one day trip up the coast to Tillamook, OR to the iconic cheese factory. 

The kids thought it was pretty neat to see how cheese was made. I didn't take many shots of the cheese factory itself but we did manage to capture some pictures of the most memorable part: the post-tour ice cream cones (Jack's first!) 

 This picture is blurry but his expression says it all: don't mess with a boy and his cone! 

More Cannon Beach

 I don't have a lot more to say about our trip but I do have a LOT of pictures which I will dump on you in the next couple posts before I wrap up and return to reality. Unfortunately it wasn't until our second to last day that we made it to the amazing Sleepy Monk Coffee Roasters. Well. We tried to go midway through our stay but they were closed. It was in easy walking distance from our cottage and we ALL thought it was delicious. So much so that we went for both of our remaining mornings in Cannon Beach.

 The kids liked it because they sold doughnuts. Duh! 

 We anticipated a cool morning walk on the beach with coffees in hand but were pleasantly surprised by sunshine and warmth that led us to leaving piles of clothing as we stripped off layers, marking our way along the beach (you think I'm kidding...)

 It was at this point that I handed the camera over to Graham and told him I wanted to be in some pictures. So that our kids would know that I was there at the beach with them too. I read something once about moms who shy away from the camera or who are always the one behind the lens. And how their kids miss seeing an important piece of their childhood when mom is never in the photos. It's stuck with me and made me more intentional about getting in there with them.

 Jack learned a new word while on our trip: "back." And he hitched many-a-rides for the remainder of the trip.

 As did his older siblings....

 

 Then commenced our comic attempts at jumping photos.

Nailed it.

 Even though we failed to perfect our jumps, I love the joy that was captured here.

Birthdaying in Cannon Beach

Isla got to ring in her 6th year during our trip to Cannon Beach. I fretted that this would be somewhat of a let down for her but that was definitely NOT the case. She was thrilled to be both the center of attention and the recipient of all the "extras" that already come with vacations. 

She opted to eat out for breakfast (I've trained her well!) and the staff at Pig N' Pancake treated her well with a balloon and a candle in her crepe. For the rest of the trip, Emma identified this restaurant as the If You Give a Pig a Pancake place which was rather endearing. 

Isla was boss all day and got to choose the order of events so we hit up the beach next. 

 We were treated to gorgeous weather during our time there and lazied away the hours digging and building and kite flying and untangling very knotted kite strings. 

 I just discovered this next picture, captured unbeknownst to me by the hubs. I think just nabbed the title of My New Favorite Picture because it is oh such a very accurate representation of my life: wrestling to contain a very active and opinionated toddler while Emma marches around with a bucket on her head. Not pictured is Isla who would probably be sitting in the sand with a clip board writing letters and asking me how to spell things or begging for a playdate or making beaded necklaces. And then there is Graham who is taking pictures of it all. :) I sort of love it though.

Isla got to open one gift upon returning to our cottage and was so pleased by her new clay charm making activity book that it came with us on our girls trip to town to explore while Jack was napping. Of course we had to get a picture with this iconic whale from my childhood. Emma was quick to inform me that it was NOT a whale but rather and fin-less dolphin. She was insistent that daddy said so. Upon further research it was determined he did nothing of the sort....whatever floats your boat, kiddo.

 Our girl time consisted of park time, window shopping at the kite shop and then of course a trip to the candy shop where I spend SEVEN DOLLARS AND FIFTY CENTS to solidify myself as the Best Mom Ever for purchasing the face-sized lollipops in the picture that opened this post. 

Isla couldn't wait a second longer to open the rest of her gifts and successfully coaxed me to break my own self-inflicted rule of waiting until after dinner.

 She got the haul this year: a spool of elastic string for her jewelry-making, a hairdresser shop set of Legos, a new dress, a pencil sharpener and Bubble Tape.

 Oh and of course the clay charm making set that already joined us on the Tour de Cannon Beach.

 Isla requested pasta for dinner (no surprise there!) and we found a pizza place that also served pasta to appease her. After dinner, we came back for vanilla cupcakes with pink frosting and strawberry ice cream.

 I think the birthday girl had a great day!