Was This Really a Sharp Idea?: Family Reunion (continued)

Okay, I'm taking a quick break from packing to post pictures of our outings and activities during our family reunion.

Our first outing was to the Yaqina Head Lighthouse. It was still foggy and cold out, but that only dampened the spirits of the adults.

I don't think the children paid much attention to the weather at all.

Looking down,

looking up,

and looking out.

This is the first time I remember ever being on a beach with only black rocks. I think I heard someone say they were volcanic rock, but I don't know anything about that.

Then we finally located the correct Devil's Churn, the one we all had in our minds, but didn't know where it was. We were determined to find it though and only drove an extra hour, each way, to get there.

The kids loved climbing on the rocks and being awed by the splashes.

Another outing we went on was to the Oregon Coast Aquarium in Newport.

Besides our old favorites, like the Sea Nettle "jellyfish," sea stars and anemones,

we saw a puffin,

and a hurricane wind simulator.

There was also a new indoor play area where the kids could go "fishing."

"Look, Mom! I caught a big one!"

After playing at the indoor play area, we went to check out the outdoor play area. Now that's a gaggle of kids!

Logan really misses his cousins. He doesn't get to see some of them, but once a year. He loves having them around!

The youngest cousin. Only 2 years old, and such a sweetie. She was the center of attention. Such a doll!

How many bites does it take to swallow 13 children? For this shark, it takes just one. The 13th kid is in there somewhere, he's just too short to be seen in this shot.

James had to finish up the final days of his rotation in Oak Harbor, so he got to the family reunion Thursday evening. After I tackled him, I mean ran and gave him a big hug, Logan, Taylor and all the nieces and nephews came running to welcome "Uncle James!" This is the least blurry picture I have of the stampede. We were all so excited to have him there with us.

Our next outing was hiking Cape Perpetua.

The view at the top. It was still foggy. That's supposed to be a view of the Pacific Ocean on the right of the picture. On a nice day, you're supposed to be able to see 35+ miles out to sea. Ha! not on this day!

Hanging out at the top.

Hanging out in the middle.

Hanging out at the bottom.

Standing by the lower jaw bone of a blue whale.

For the first time, the children did a talent show. I think their favorite skit was the glow stick one.

The kids all taped glow sticks to themselves. When the lights were turned off, they looked like glowing stick figures.

The other acts included singing and dancing, jokes, card tricks, piano playing and just being "cute."

One of the very best parts of the reunion is just getting to spend time with family.

When I asked the kids what their favorite part was, they also said spending time with their "friends" (cousins). I don't think it matters as much what we do as long as we're with family!