Trip Out West Part 2 - Oregon Coast

Tillamook, Oregon 

Our first stop along the Oregon Coast was Tillamook, Oregon where we just had to stop at the "Tillamook Cheese Factory". We squished in this little detour before heading to the Manwaring Reunion. 

My "little" kids had to argue about who got to sit in the drivers seat of the play Tillamook bus, thus the strained I'm-going-to-kill-you-Merinda smile on Breck's face.

Although we arrived a little late, we were still able to see the last of the cheese blocks being wrapped and boxed.

And thank goodness we were not too late for a little "sample" of Tillamook ice cream, mmmmm so good!

Lincoln City, Oregon - Manwaring Reunion

All of Brad's family got together for a three-day Manwaring reunion in Lincoln City, Oregon over the 4th of July. But before we could join the festivities, I told Brad that I would not set one more foot in Grandpa's car (which he let us borrow to drive cross-country) until we figured out what the awful stench was coming from under the back seat, that had already plagued us for a week and was getting worse by the minuet! Jake, being skilled in the art of tearing apart vehicles (from working at the border patrol), found the culprit! Who would of thought that such a small rotting creature could cause such a huge stink!

We finally joined the others at the beach.

It was fun getting to know each other again while roasting hot dogs in the sand (good thing it wasn't windy that day).

Aubrey being her social self. I for one was just glad to be out of the stinky car enjoying the family and beautiful sunset.

O.k. I admit that the hotel we stayed at, called the Sea Gypsy, was not so great looking on the outside, but inside, the rooms were awesome! They were very spacious and well maintained with two bathrooms and two or more bedrooms. Almost all of them had washers and dryers, and they were right on the beach.

And did I mention that the hotel had a large pool that the kids lived in?

All of the cousins had a blast in that pool (including Grandpa and Virginia).

Breck seemed to always be at the center of some kind of conspiracy. I wonder if that had anything to do with the fact that he loved splashing water on everyone, and was constantly throwing or pushing his (younger) cousins in the pool.

The parent zone. Too bad it wasn't a "no splash zone", that is why I am sitting on the opposite side.

And if by chance the cousins did not get their fill of swimming at the beach, or in the hotel pool, we spent a day at "Devil's Lake Park", where the kids had the most fun just. . . yep, you guessed it, swimming and playing on the beach!

Merinda and her cousin, Katelyn.

I don't even want to guess how long it took Bailey's, Jenny's, and Meagan's mothers to de-sand their daughters.

There is something therapeutic about building sand castles, at any age.

Also at the lake, everyone enjoyed eating watermelon and BBQ hamburgers,

 

and making crafts. There were crafts for the younger cousins (necklaces and masks).

And crafts for the older cousins (tie-dyed t-shirts).

Here, the kids are modeling their creations.

Aubrey enjoying the solitude and peacefulness of the beach.

My favorite part of the reunion, other than visiting with family of course, was the beach!

Each view in any direction would make the perfect post-card.

                            

The sunsets were just amazing.

This picture was taken out our huge living room window. I also loved sleeping at night with the windows cracked open, listening to the sound of the waves crash on the shore.

This evening we all got together for a delicious meal of BBQ ribs and Salmon.

Vicki and Scott (preparing the food in the back) did an excellent job of not only making the arrangements for everyone's accommodations and entertainment, but came up with, prepared, and cleaned up most of the meals. We cannot thank them (and everyone else who worked so hard behind the scenes) for making the reunion a huge success.

The "big kid" table.

 

 Of course the reunion would not be complete without some words of wisdom from Grandpa Manwaring,

and some good old fashion hillbilly music from Virginia. . .

and band (made-up of the Manwaring Sisters-in-law). For a moment there I swore I was back in Kentucky!

Everyone loved Virginia the entertainer, especially her "rotten" teeth.

Most of the Manwaring cousins, minus Kim's kids and Brittney, who was finishing up the summer semester at BYU-I.

The grownups, minus Kim and Lampee. After a night of games for the adults and movies for the kids, it was time to say a sad goodbye, at least until the next reunion, in Kentucky? 

Newport, Oregon

One morning during the reunion (I can't remember which one since it seems so long ago) we took a scenic drive to Newport, Oregon. If you look really hard, you can see in the distance a light-house on the peninsula. 

Here is the famous Newport bridge and picturesque harbor below.

Once again Brad was not so concerned about the scenery as he was his stomach, which was calling out for more Clam Chowder, this time from another iconic restaurant, "Moe's".

Again, we all enjoyed our fresh, authentic seafood except for Aubrey who said her "chicken" strips were just "o.k." Imagine that.

We topped off our day at Newport trinket and candy shopping at the many fun little souvenir stores. Breck is enjoying his jaw breaker, and this one looks like it just might do that, break his jaw!