Great Family Outing!

We had a great family trip to Rockaway Beach, OR last weekend for my Grandma's 80th birthday. Most everyone drove there on Friday, but Jerry had to work so we left at about 6:30pm, ran into some traffic, made a few stops and got there at 12:15am. This trip should have only take about 4 1/2 hours, but bumper to bumper and big thumper had to rehydrate and pee a few times. But it was fun.

On Saturday we all got up, headed down to hear the shpeel from the Resort and get donuts and coffee. It was very informative and we did a few things he suggested. We all then got in our cars, drove south to the Tillamook Cheese Factory and took the self guided tour. If you like watching people wrap cheese, this is your place. Order of the day was Pepper Jack Cheese - only the best cheese in the world! The best part was sampling some cheese and going through the shop and buying some pepperoni and various cheeses. (Only to know later, I forgot my pepperoni in the resort, boo!)

After the cheesy goodness, we went to the Petting Farm where the kids had a blast, petting the animals. Nevaeh almost had a little too much fun when the goat kept backing up into her face while she was sitting down. Too much fun! Cole and Zeke went on a pony ride in the ring. Zeke was a champ with no fear! Cole needed a little help by mommy Mandy, but he did the last lap himself. Yahoo! I got some great shots of both of them on the horses.

Then we all went our separate ways, some to food and others back to the rooms. Stopped off at Pizza Hut - Jerry has to have his p'zones! Then we all went back to the resort.

The next day, Sunday, Jerry and I decided to have some time to ourselves, get away from kids and the "adults" and go have some fun. We went to lunch at the Beach Bite, good food, amazing Bread bowl with chowder! Then off to the arcade. I beat him at Deal or No Deal and Skeeball, but he killed me in Basketball and the horse race. We used our tickets and bought a few things for the kids to play with like mini whoopi cushions. They loved those and so did their parents.

Also on Sunday, Jerry, my dad, my mom and I attempted to go bike riding. We had been riding around for a little bit until Jerry was testing the shocks on his bike and popped the tire tube. We had tire tubes...in Skylar's car...which was about 40 miles away as they were in Seaside shopping the outlets. So Jerry had to walk the bike back about 2 miles. We all slowly followed him and stopped at the Picnic Basket where they had ice cream so we could cheer him up. Great place and ginormous portions!

Sunday night we had a beach fire. That was the best time, just all of us sitting around talking and making smores. The best smore maker was my dad and my aunt Laurie. Nicely golden brown and she added a Reese' cup! I copied her and now I'm hooked! It's delish! A few of us rebel youngins stayed until after midnight while the rest of them left at about 10. It was great to sit back with my brother, my husband and a few cousins to just chat about the 'good ol times.' Lots of memories came flooding back, some good, some bad, but all in all it was a great time.

Jerry and I left the next day to return to real life. He had to work and so did I.

Next year, we plan to do this again with the family and try to make it an annual event for my grandma's birthday and for the summer. We all have such busy lives, it's nice to get away and get to know each other again!