Summer Vacations

I don't remember ever going on so many family vacations in one summer! This has definitely been an eventful summer break, despite not having a job. Enjoy it while I can, right?

The Oregon Coast (Lincoln City and Tillamook)

We took a day trip to the Oregon Coast the weekend after Trevor got home from his mission. Amazingly, we actually had good weather! It was sunny and beautiful, although a little windy. Lincoln City is definitely one of my favorite places in the world. The ocean may be too cold to swim in, but it's gorgeous to look at.

We followed tradition on this trip and ate lunch at Mo's seafood restaurant, and then sat on the beach for a few hours. Mom and I had fun drawing pictures in the sand (see pictures below), and we watched a few people fly kites. Afterward, we headed to the Tillamook Cheese Factory, home of the best ice cream and cheese in the world. Let's just say my stomach was pretty satisfied on the drive home...

Mom and the ocean

Drawing #1: The crab

Drawing #2: The starfish
(There were more, but they didn't make the cut...)

Hello!

Mom and Kim

Trevor and Dad enjoying the sun

Kite!

Oh, how I love this place...

Siblings

Happiness =)

Lava Lake

A few weeks ago, my entire family got together for the first time in two years and went camping at Lava Lake in central Oregon. I was a little apprehensive at first since I haven't gone camping since girl's camp five years ago, and the idea of not showering for a week didn't sound too appealing. But it ended up being a fun vacation--and the lake even had a lodge with showers =).

I didn't have a fishing license like the boys, so I only got to fish once (maybe I shouldn't be admitting this...) without a single bite. Sadly, the fishing was bad for everyone in my family. Between the four guys (my dad, my two brothers, and my uncle) and my sister-in-law, only 3 fish were caught all week. I guess it was a good thing I saved my money and didn't buy a license after all.

I mostly spent my time reading, reading, and reading. In fact, I read three books (see below) in just a few days, so I was pretty happy. I can't remember the last time I just spent all day reading without feeling guilty, so it was a relaxing break. We also played a ton of games as a family, like Ticket to Ride and Sequence; took walks with the dog; "swam" in the Deschutes River, and hiked one morning in the heat. It was definitely hot in central Oregon, but felt nice after a long, wet June.

Here are a few pictures:

Mount Bachelor

The view from the lake was spectacular! You could see three mountains all at the same time.

There were a ton of minnows near the edge of the lake. Too bad we couldn't catch anything bigger...

Trevor and I took a walk along the lake and ended up climbing over a billion logs...

The campsite!

The tent Kimberly and I shared

Kenai

The tent trailer, which was nice to have when the mosquitoes were attacking...

Can you find the squirrel? There were a ton of chipmunks around our camp, and one evil squirrel...

Kim reading...we traded books throughout the week

Brad and Jessica fishing

Kimberly fishing

This isn't the best picture of me, but it's proof that I was there...

Uncle Alan fly-fishing on the Deschutes River

Brad fishing on the Deschutes

Kim and me in the middle of the Deschutes

Jessica and me

I can't remember what we were doing here, but I still love this picture...

Crazy KJ...and me making a funny face in the background

It was cold and the current was pretty strong, but it was a lot of fun.

.This was one of the most beautiful sunsets I've ever seen!

This is Lucky Lake, which we spent a morning hiking to. The water was super blue!

I think Kenai enjoyed the trip more than any of us...She is 1/4 wolf, after all =)

Trevor was the only lucky one who caught a fish at Lucky Lake

Walnut Creek, California

Our most recent trip was to California, near San Fransisco. It was probably one of the quickest vacation we've taken this summer! We drove down on Friday evening (got there at 1:30 AM on Saturday), spent Saturday with family, and then drove home on Sunday. The main reason we went was to support our cousin, who is leaving to serve a two-year mission for my church this Wednesday. We went to his farewell talk on Sunday morning, and he did a great job. I know he's going to be an amazing missionary serving in Ukraine!

My aunt and uncle, who was stayed with, have an amazing house and backyard! It definitely felt like we were staying at a resort because all we did on Saturday was swim in their pool and hot tub, relax in their cabana (which was fully equipped with outdoor kitchen, fireplace, speakers, comfy chairs, and a screen/projector), eat my uncle's famous ribs, and play on their pinball machine. It was definitely worth the 10 hour car ride both ways...

Diving! 1...

2...

Splash!

Cannonball KJ

So relaxing...

Trevor enjoying the pool

My aunt and uncle's amazing house and yard

The Cabana from above

So, there might be a trip to Utah planned the end of August, but things are still up in the air...This has been a fun summer, that's for sure, and it's getting better because there is finally sun in Damascus! =)

Time to hit the pool...