(Disclaimer: This is a long post...but it is about my most favorite place & people with LOADS of pictures- I'll try to break it up)
My favorite place in the whole wide world is the Oregon Coast...specifically Cannon Beach.
To get started here are some random pictures from our adventure at Cannon Beach. 
Ryan & Nathan digging in the sand. 
At first, Nathan wasn't so sure about getting sand on his hands...but later he couldn't get enough. 
Look, I found a shell!
Playing in the sand with toys is much more fun!
Anywhere along the Oregon Coast is my home away from home, my sanctuary, where I find the most peace. That may sound a bit odd, since the coast is always windy, noisy & cold (at least in Oregon), but it is true. Since moving to Utah & having my parents move here too, it is a rarity that I get to visit my favorite spot. But this year, we decided to go, since the boys & I would be picking daddy up from the airport in Portland, we were already half way there, from Central Oregon.
As we started planning our adventure to Cannon Beach, we decided that it make our trip even better if we invited my best friend, Autumn & her family to join us. I gave her a call & they loved the idea...she loves the coast too! I was excited to know that they wanted to come too, that would give us the chance to spend time with her family & get caught up with each other.
Sunday, the 13th of July (happy anniversary - on the 12th - I love you Matt), the boys & I picked Matt up from the airport & off we went two hours or so to the coast. When we arrived in Cannon Beach our room wasn't ready yet, so we took the boys down to the beach & let them run around, dig, spin & throw sand. A boys haven! The wind was blowing like usual & I think we were the only people in shorts & t-shirts soaking in the cool weather. Most people on the beach had shorts on, but then had sweatshirts or big jackets on ( I guess they thought it was cold).
My friends, Autumn, Doug & their boy Benjamin, showed up about an hour or so after we did. The boys were instant friends (they get that from their moms'). It was truly like being home again, but in a new stage of life!
After unloading everything, we took the Ryan & Benjamin back down to the sand (Nathan was sleeping). The boys wanted to fly kites, so off we went. Ryan had a Buzz Lightyear & Woody kite & Benjamin had a red, black & white kite, which Autumn so nicely pointed out were the Blazers colors. The boys had fun watching us get the kites up. I must say I had no problem getting our kite up! Ryan even tried his had at flying the kite...but the wind was quite strong & I think it made him a bit nervous. After a while, he started "chasing" the kites around & trying to help Doug get his kite up. Ryan decided he wanted daddy to come & fly kites with me...so Doug, Autumn & Ben, went & got Matt while I hung out with my kite. Matt came out with Nathan's kite, "Cars" & up it went no problem. We were having fun as Ryan continued to chase them around, when all of a sudden the two kites got tangled together. I was trying to move so that we could un-tangle them when all of a sudden my string broke & off went my kite. I few seconds later, there goes Matt's too! We were able to retrieve them, but we called it a day with the kites. Good 'ol handy Matt was able to fix them although we haven't tried them out again just yet.
That night we made pizzas & all three boys helped out. After getting the kids settled & in bed, the four adults stayed up 'til midnight or later just chatting & catching up on old times. Both Autumn & I made the comment that although it has been almost 2 years since we saw them last, when we get together again, it is like we haven't missed a beat! I guess that is what true friendship is all about!
Monday morning, we woke up to beautiful weather. No fog or anything of the such in the air! After feeding the boys & getting everyone ready for the day we headed to downtown Cannon Beach for a little shopping. We all got a few fun things & then back to our rooms for lunch & naps.
Without fail, low tide was ALWAYS while the boys were napping & so we never got to walk out to Haystack Rock & look at the tide pools. I was a bit bummed, but maybe next time. Of course, the boys, especially Ryan & Nathan wanted to head back out to the beach to play in the sand, or so we thought! When we got out to the sand, all the boys started digging in the sand & attempting to make a sand castle, but that didn't last too long. Before long, Ryan was off running with the waves. He was our little wave runner. He would chase the waves out to sea & then the waves would chase him back to shore. He had a blast & he got soaking wet. Now I mentioned in a previous post about how cold the water was in central Oregon...this water was even colder, but Ryan didn't care. He just kept running & jumping with the waves. He didn't want to stop, even when he was freezing cold! Nathan even got his feet wet, but preferred the sand to the water. At some point Ben joined in a bit with wave running until Ryan accidentally knocked him down while the waves were chasing him back to shore! Ben was done...so we told our boys it was time to go & eat some dinner.
We went to my FAVORITE place to eat, MO'S. They have the best of the best clam chowder. I am not one to eat seafood, but I love their clam chowder. So naturally, I ordered that & Matt ate fish! The boys' had grilled cheese sandwiches that were served on Frisbees! They sure loved that.
After eating all that we could & buying some souvenirs we went back to our room & made S'mores. The kids enjoyed it, as did the adults.
The next morning, sad to say, it was time to leave the beautiful coast. I was sad to go, & to leave my dear sweet friend, Autumn, that I always miss terribly. But, we said goodbye after taking several pictures. I can't wait to go again!
I already miss you Autumn!!
