essential oregon

Flying with two kids - lots of fun with extra space from Lily's seat. Unfortunately we didn't take a stroller and Lily brought shoes that were too big for her so that was a challenge getting to the car rental. At one point I was in the long line sitting on the (carpeted) floor because both kids wanted to be held and Adam was laughing over in the corner with the luggage, and told me across the room "You look desperate." About two hours to Cannon Beach, driving through rain and green green green. I was thinking it is strange that there are so many environmentalists in Oregon because you'd think since they are constantly surrounded by trees they wouldn't be too worried.
Those present were Mom and Dad, Liz and her four kids, Amanda and Tyler with Henry, and later Nathan and Alicia with Eve.Activities including waiting for it to stop raining so we could go outside; Tillamook Cheese Factory for a cheese sandwich and ice cream; watching 7 grandkids being mesmerized watching the glass blower for 30 minutes; playing soccer; playing on the beach; running on the beach (one of my all time favorite things to do, ever); Ecola State Park which I haven't been to since Nathan and Alicia took me there about 9 years ago; and of course enjoying some quality family time discussing controversial political and societal issues with Mom and Adam yelling back and forth until the cookies made by Amanda came out of the oven and we turned our attention to inhaling them even though she didn't follow a recipe. Good times.