Seaside Oregon Trip Day 1

We just got back from an amazing trip to Seaside Oregon! My Mom, the amazing travel planner, put together the whole trip for my entire family- Mom & Dad, 3 brothers and their wives, myself and my sister and our husbands and 11 grandkids. I have so many pictures I am going to create a new post for each day.

We left Rexburg Idaho at about 4:00 am. (Jason's brother got married the night before). This first picture is early Saturday morning at one of the gas stops during our 12 1/2 hour drive.


We arrived in Seaside around 6:00. Kassie loved the windows in our condominium that went all the way to the floor and the balcony. She loved watching the people below. She might have just been excited to get out of the car.


The condo had 3 bedrooms so the kids had their own room. This is home sweet home for the next 7 days!




This was the view from our balcony.


We had to go onto the beach and check out the ocean! The kids had so much fun racing the waves with my Mom! They were pretty wet and sandy by the time we headed in. It was absolutely gorgeous!

Day 2 - Sunday

Today we went to church and then headed to Indian Beach were we did a day hike up to Tillamook Head. Jason and Adam "enjoying" the hike.


We had markers all along the hike that corresponded to information on our map. We are at one of the markers and my Mom is reading the information to the kids.


This trip was full of touching creatures. Mikele is touching a banana slug.


"I behold the grandest and most pleasing prospect which my eyes ever surveyed."
- Capt. William Clark spoken at this point


One of the best parts about the trip was being able to spend time together. Mikele is walking with Austin, her cousin. Isn't that just a cute picture!


The View!



After the hike we went back to the condos and headed down to the beach for a BEACH PARTY!!! We flew kites, played in the sand and ate hot dogs and s'mores! Kassie LOVED to fly the kites. It was funny watching her hold her string. She screamed when we put them away!

Day 3 - Monday

Today we went to Cannon Beach to check out the tide pools. We touched more slimy things and the kids loved it all! That evening we went to a beach by Haystack rock and took family pictures. The last time we had professional family pictures with everyone was when Brock was only 6 months old. The photographer did a great job and I think my Mom and I are just relieved to have it done!

Day 4 - Tuesday

We started the day at Fort Clatsop National Memorial. This is a life size replica of the fort where the Lewis and Clark expedition wintered in December of 1805. They had people in costume at the fort.




My Mom had arranged in advance for each of the kids to receive a Junior Ranger Activity Book. The kids had to visit 3 sites to receive their Captain rand and 4 of the sites on the list and complete the activities in the book and then they could be sworn in as Jr. Rangers and receive their President rank. The ranger made all of the kids raise their right hand and be sworn in then he escorted them down to the fort and took their picture with one of the rangers dressed in costume.



We then headed over to Astoria to see the Astoria Column that is on Oregon's highest hill. It was an amazing view!



Next we headed to Fort Stevens state Park and explored the area. This was the fourth site the kids visited so they earned their Presidential rank.

Day 5 - Wednesday

Today we went into downtown Seaside and walked around the shops. There was a carousel that the kids had to ride on.



This was on one of the bridges in Seaside.


Seaside is the candy capital of the west. In one of the shops they had this cow bench. The kids are "mooing."


That afternoon we went crabbing. The catch wasn't that good so we didn't get any supper. We caught quite a few crabs but they were all to small or female and you can only keep the male crabs that are at least 5 3/4" wide. The kids had fun.

Day 6 - Thursday

Today we drove down to Newport. We first went to the Oregon Coast Aquarium.









From there we went to the Yaquina Head Lighthouse. Brock and Mikele were able to climb all the way to the top and enjoy the spectacular view. Then it was back down the spiraling staircase.





We ended our day by stopping at the Tillamook Cheese factory. Kassie was in cheese heaven!!! I am embarrased by how many trips she made to the sampling table. They make their own ice cream so we had to try it out. They have over 30 flavors to choose from!