Newport

We have now hit the three week mark of our time in Albany.  We have had many adventures as a family, and a few adventures without dad (silly adventures like me locking us out of the house without a phone or keys, and changing my first flat tire without Brad).  We have enjoyed exploring lots of different areas of Oregon.  This weekend we went to Newport.  Newport is an ocean side city about an hour away.  We went there with the hopes of seeing a crab for Ellie's birthday, but we got stuck having too much fun at the beach so we didn't have time to explore any tide pools.  We did see some crab shells and legs left along the beach by the seagulls who must have had a delicious lunch.

Ellie and Christian's first experience with the ocean

Ellie's quote "I love to see the ocean! I hope I can see it again another time some day"

Christian's favored activity on the beach was picking up sand and rocks and plopping them in the ocean.  He could have been occupied for hours.

Ellie's favorite activity was using drift wood as a drawing stick to draw pictures in the sand.  She can't wait to go back to the beach have more fun decorating the beach with her drawings.    

Dipping toes in the ocean.  

the family on Moolack Beach 

The ease of flying a kite on a windy beach was pretty amazing.

We also celebrated Ellie's birthday this week.  We enjoyed a nice day just sticking it close to home.  During the day we went to the park and fed ducks with a friend from Ellie's primary class.  We decorated a cake during Christian's nap time, then opened presents and had cake when Daddy got home.  Ellie had a super fun birthday and has really enjoyed all of her gifts.

Ellie has always loved parrots, but with having recently fed and held parrots at the zoo, she had to have nothing but a parrot cake for her birthday.  

A ballerina umbrella Ellie got for her birthday so she can better enjoy the Oregon weather.  She has used it to set up a beach in the front room this week since there has been a lack of rain.