Annual 4th of July Trip - Long Beach, WA : Day 1

We finally arrived after a long 7 1/2 hour drive. We made some quick sandwiches, unloaded the cars and headed down to the beach. This is the first year Brianna could walk on her own and had an opinion of her own. She was instantly amazed by the sand, ocean, and the sounds. Brandon remembers going to the beach and was sooooo excited to finally be there. He ran to the water with Carissa and Becky and was very, very excited. Darrick Jr. said it was "paradise" and Ashley was wet almost instantly. It was a special treat to have Steven join us this year....in fact we had a group of 15 + Eddie the beagle this year, it was all very exciting and hectic at times :) There was Papa Paul, Grandma Faye, Mom (Mama Nean), Aunt Carol, Uncle Dennis, Becky, Steven, Ashley, Darrick Jr., Bill, Carissa, Cody, Brandon, Brianna, and myself. Grandma and Grandpa said it was going to be their last year because it is getting to be a lot for them to have to do, we really hope it isn't....we enjoy the rare occassion of having everyone together and having a good time. We were sad Tanya could not join us.

When Tanya and I were little Grandma, Grandpa, and Jack would take us to Long Beach every summer, it was our annual trip that we always looked forward to and could count on. Grandpa and Jack would argue every year which way to go - Portland or over White Pass, I can remember Tanya and I crying and stressing because we didn't think we were gonna get to go then Grandma would tell us it would be alright, they would notice how upset we were, stop arguing and concede on which way to go....We ALWAYS ended up going over White Pass, we stopped at Rimrock lake and had breakfast, then head off over the mountains and wind up and down the two lane highway every year....looking back that is so funny to remember! We went in the motor home and we ALWAYS had sooo much fun! Grandpa and Jack would go fishing one day at Ilwaco and Grandma, Tanya and I would walk the piers and wait for them to come back in...then that evening we would usually go to the carnival, ride the go carts and visit Marsh's Museum we would then spend most of the rest of the time down on the beach....Tanya and I loved our "jewelery" we always got at the Museum and other stores and I still have some of the shell jewelery boxes or nick nacks with funny little creatures made out of shells on them. We didn't go at any particular time of the summer that I can remember, although it was during Salmon Season....and I don't remember a fire work show like they have now, but I do remember how special every trip was! We were so very spoiled and I will forever cherish those memories! I feel so blessed to be able to create and share in new memories for our children. I believe everyone, despite the chaos, enjoyed themselves and this special time together.