Oregon Coast vacation: the people

Our family had a wonderful week in the Central Oregon Coast. It was gorgeous! Prior to this, our farthest vacation destination has been about five hours away, and even then just for an enjoyable weekend or so. We've never been able to devote so much time to a trip. We needed this.

What made the trip especially fun is that ALL of Jeff's family were there: his parents, seven siblings and their families. In all, 15 adults and 19 grandchildren, ages 1 to 16. We stayed in the same house and took turns with dinners. I could say I am amazed at how well everyone got along, but then really, I shouldn't be amazed. It's a great group with lots of love.

This spur-of-the-moment shot of 29 of us was taken Friday evening, the night before our own family and another had to leave. I feel really bad that we didn't get a shot of all 34 of us. One family was touring the Tillamook cheese and ice cream factory farther up the coast at the time of this photo (yum!). Here they are from another outing.

The beach was chilly, often foggy or windy, but so much fun. We could walk there from the rental house.

12 of the cousins, oldest to youngest. (Taken Tuesday)

This was taken Friday and shows 15 of the cousins, more or less youngest to oldest (switch the second and third girls from left). Missing are cranky Samuel and the three lucky cheese samplers.

 Elise nearly touches a jellyfish. 

 James was the only one of us brave enough to get so deep in the cold water.

You know those videos at wedding receptions that feature photos of the couples? Nineteen years later Jeff and I still wouldn't have enough shots.

 I wrote Samuel's name in the sand like I had done with James'. He loudly stomped his disapproval.

My only disappointment about the trip is not getting a nice family shot. It wasn't for lack of trying. With so many fun activities going on, and so many different combinations of families doing the outings, it was hard to have all of us together at once.

Here, at the Portland Temple, we didn't have Elise with us because she was coming from Seattle after her trip with Grandma and Grandpa.

Here, at the tide pools, we lack Samuel because we opted to not pry him out of bed and instead left him at the house with gracious Grandma.

On the eve of our departure, when I realized we didn't have a SINGLE SHOT of all seven of us together, I pleaded with Jeff to help make it happen. The light was fading fast. We walked to the beach with the tripod. Only three shots into it, Jeff's brother arrived to tell us that everyone had decided to do a group shot, only they chose to do it at a beach with better car access. They needed us right now. By then the light was too far gone to re-attempt our family portrait. Oh, well. Want to see the BEST two?

Hee hee. Yep, that about sums it up.