Rockaway.

Colin whisked us all off to a last minute trip to the beach. Rockaway was a cheap option for an oceanfront view and it was just what we all needed in the exact middle of our school year. To say we are cagey is an understatement. The condo was really beautiful and clean and we had a great time just watching cable tv (we don't have cable), doing puzzles and taking walks on the beach when it wasn't stormy.

Here is the condo:

Samuel is reading the first Harry Potter, so he got every kid a "wand", also known as a stick.

Boss snuggling on my lap.

This was Boss building a sand castle in the freezing cold.

We all enjoyed the floor to ceiling window that looked out to the ocean.

The kids took a bath or shower after each visit to the beach to warm up.

Of course, Lego play was in order. Jude can't really travel without his Legos.

A rare picture of Colin and I.

The family watching "Survivorman". Such a good show!

Jude's castle building.

Jude telling me one of his many stories.

At least 3/4 of them are looking the right direction.

Sissy found a few sand dollars.

This is so typically Sissy - doing her "ballet" spins. I really need to sign her up for ballet.

Samuel Turns 9.

On New Year's Eve, my firstborn turned 9. It seems like a few short moments ago, I was in the hospital in the wee hours of the  morning, watching the pediatrician check over my baby. He was the first person to ever call him "Sam". Now, he's 9. Weird. He currently reads a ton of books, loves the library and Kindle, loves anything with a screen (especially the computer or Wii), gets told "no" a lot on screen time, loves sports (favorite is baseball), really likes elk meat, doesn't like mushrooms, loves wearing sports and Nike clothing, likes to be intensely busy all the time, and loves praying before meals and going to church and church events.

For his birthday, Colin took him and a few friends on the Portland fireboat. A few dads came as well (Mike Wagner, Colin's dad and John Micah). They had so much fun! Mike took pictures for me, since I stayed home with the littles.

Here's a group picture:

This was after lunch - Mike holding Boss. Look at Boss' belly. It's hugely full of noodles!

Great picture of the new bridge being built downtown.

Caleb got to drive the boat.

John Micah snapping a pic of Caleb by the flag.

They fired off the water cannons.

Looks like Colin did a lot of instructing about the ways a fireboat works.

The engine room.

Lots of kids are afraid of these masks that fireman wear - I can see why!

Apparently this ping pong table in the fire station was one of the highlights of the trip.

We went to the Spaghetti Factory where I met up with the guys.

Samuel driving the boat.

Samuel also got a bow for his birthday - he's so excited! He wants to go deer hunting with Colin next year.

My kids don't get noodles at home, so they go nuts when they eat them elsewhere. Sissy was in heaven and gorged herself on the entire bowl.

When the water cannons go off, I guess it's pretty loud, hence the ear muffs and ear plugging.

Samuel then went on to Rainier where he stayed at his grandparents house and didn't fall asleep until after midnight. He knows he would never get to do that at home  We were in bed by 8:30 :)