Goin' on Vacation and To Do's

I thought I'd better jump on real quick and post up. The kids are napping (sort of) and I've got a ton to do today. We've been a little busy over the last few days preparing for a trip to the Oregon Coast. I can't wait! When I was a little girl my great-grandparents lived in a little town called Yachats - south of Newport, more than half way down the coast. Every spring break, at least my mom and I would head down for vacation. (my mom is a teacher so she always had the week off) I say "at least" because sometimes we would bring my aunt with us. After she had her first baby all four of us went down one year (leaving my Uncle Mike at home). Sometimes we would bring my cousin Morgan with us. Morgan's 11 months younger than me and we always had a blast. (And since I'm talking family I'll put in a shameless brag about my cousin Sketch the film maker - Morgan's brother - who won an emmy for his documentary on reefnet fishing) Anyhow, it was tradition. After I graduated from high school and my mom got married we somehow got out of the habit. I hadn't been down for almost 10 years so last year Justin and I packed up the kids and went down.

About an hour before I left last year (I was to pick Justin up at the fire station on our way through Seattle, as I am doing again this year) I called Justin and asked him if he would mind if my grandma came. Being the fab hubby that he is, he of course did not mind. So I called my grandma and told her to pack her bags and that I'd be there in an hour to get her. This year we planned ahead a little more, as I believe Grandma already has her bags packed. My parents and Abbey and Gabe are also coming down so we're prepared for a week of fun - as long as we don't all get sick of each other.

Some of my best childhood memories are of spending the day in Newport visiting the wax museum and Ripley's Believe It or Not. After that we'd usually head over to Mo's for some clam chowder and a bucket of steamer clams. My mom sent me this link the other night. She said she was doing some planning and happened to click on this at 12:30 a.m. with the volume turned up far too high on her computer. Now if that doesn't get you in the mood I don't know what would. We would also often visit the Oregon Coast Aquarium which they've updated and Steele really enjoyed last year. Justin wants to be sure and hit this place while we're down there too. Yum. We'll bring back some souvenirs from there, I'm sure. Sometimes we would head south a bit to Florence and the sand dunes or to the Sea Lion Caves (which are smelly and overpriced but fun none-the-less). This year I'd really like to try and visit Heceta Head light house. Isn't it beautiful? On the way home we like to take the scenic route through Astoria and make a stop at the Tillamook Cheese Factory. (oh, they serve ice cream there too? I didn't know that....)

Since the weather on the coast is very similar to here it's not likely to be sunny and beautiful, even in the summer. In fact, this week's forecast is calling for mostly showers. But there's still something wonderful about curling up on the couch in front of the fireplace with a good book or a movie and seeing and hearing the waves crash against the beach while the rain pounds the windows. I love smelling the salty sea air and feeling the wind when I step out of the car. I'm looking forward to some rest and some time to not think about anything but enjoying my family. If I had a little more time and energy I'd hop up and find some pictures of myself from one of our vacations as a little girl. Maybe later. But I promise I'll have a bunch when I get home from this trip.

Ok - since I'm on here and my mind is going a million thoughts a second, I'll think I'll write my to-do list. Mostly for myself. You may or may not find it even one iota interesting.

To Do:

Make:
soup - check
enchiladas - decided to just bring the ingredients
pumpkin pancakes
muffins - ran out of eggs. Bummer.
cinnamon rolls - check
bank deposits - check

Go get:
library books - check
can of pumpkin - check
whole wheat flour - check

Pack:
booster seat - check
running shoes - check
cooler with food - check
knitting - reconsidering
dvd player - reconsidering
pillows - check
down throw - check
ipod - check
computer - check
camera - check
cell phone charger - check
boots - check
potty seat - check
toiletries (including lotion and dental floss) - check
hat for myself - check
extra blankets - check

Finish:
month end reports - check
laundry - check (except for the fact that Steele just pooped his pants. To wash or not to wash, that is the question)
ironing and packing my clothes - check

Find:
some good traveling music on itunes (any suggestions?) - no luck
a way to fit everything in the van by myself - check

Take:
shower (this should probably go at the top of list) - check
Finney to my mom's along with dog food - on my way

Forget About:
going to the mall to find a bathing suit - check

BYE!