Summer's over

To beat the Labor Day traffic we packed up and head for home on Sunday. This was perfect for me because I was stressed about the things I still needed to get done before school started on Tuesday. It also worked out pretty good that I had my own car. I flew home!

Beautiful day, wide open highway, radio tuned just the way I like it.

It has been an amazing summer spent on the road, one trip after another. Can't wait to get out on the road for my next adventure!

Lake Kachess

When I arrived Rob was blasted drunk. He had obviously been drinking most of the day. It's funny to see because he slurs his words and can't walk straight. 

My favorite thing about his being drunk is his smile. He actually smiles a real smile, not just a smirk.

We went down to see the lake when I arrived. It is a beautiful place. The water is kind of low this year compared to some of the years we've seen in the past.

The weather wasn't great over the weekend so we didn't spend a lot of time on the lake. I did get a good run in Saturday morning. I also spent some time on the shore with my laptop before the sprinkles started coming down too hard.

Finally on my way, but will I ever get there?

I took advantage of the quiet in the house Friday morning and slept in. Then I got in a work out and packed all the things the boys forgot. I realized I forgot something at school I needed to work on over the weekend so that was my next stop before heading out of town.

I was still looking to arrive at Lake Kachess by 5pm so I wasn't too concerned.

I thought it was weird that I had driven all the way to North Bend but GPS still said I had 1hour 20minutes to go. 

I hit the Starbucks for a boost of caffeine tea and the XM radio had a live GoGo's concert playing so I was happy as can be. Although I was going 80mph most of the time my ETA kept getting later and later. I was baffled until I hit the wall.

It took me an extra hour and 30 minutes to go 25 miles. 

See ya later

This was the view I got of my family leaving without me for Labor Day weekend.

Life is rough when it's Thursday afternoon before a holiday weekend and you are stuck staying home for Open House at your school job while the rest of the family heads to the lake without you.

Short trip

We slept in this morning and lounged around until almost 10:30 before springing to action. Today's plan: get some last minute deals at the outlets and head home.

The kids went with the moms and the dads stayed back to pack up.

The store we set our sights on was at the very far end of the mall. On the way we tried a couple more shops to find shorts for Skylar. We found success and a ton of laughs in the Zumiez.

We were successful at the far end of the mall too, but after all that walking the kids were ready for a Hawaiian shaved ice. 

Grace had been eyeing that place all weekend. Pictured is the smallest size they offered!

Once we got back to the trailers it was time to pull out and say goodbye. Rittierodts found a spot to park in town to get some lunch. Lucas' have a favorite spot just on the other side of the Washington boarder called Mrs. Beasleys. They have an extended menu.

Gracie takes her processed meats seriously.

Traffic wasn't near as bad as it was on the way down, but we did see some real road rage. A soccer mom mini-van and an old man fishing pick-up truck got into it right in front of us. They were seriously trying to run each other off the road. It was scary.

One more weekend before school starts! We better make it a good one! We'll be on the road again, this time heading to the Cascades and lake Kachess.

Separate fun

We started the day with Belgium waffles. Skylar tends to use more whipped cream then the average human.

In a monumental move I made bacon for my friends. I wore gloves to do it, but it was a big hit and my efforts were appreciated.

After everyone ate and I went for a run the boys and girls split up. The girls headed to the outlet shops and the boys went to the drag race track.

The first round of shopping was a bust. I was trying to find shoes for Skylar and I. Gracie also had hopes and dreams dashed at the Converse store and the Build a Bear store.

Grace needed a pick me up before making another run at it.

With a second wind our luck got the same. We got great buys at these stores and the shoes I was looking for at famous footwear.

Some stores were out of control! Nike town was absolutely one of those.

Of course Grace found something she had to have in there so we not only had to fight the crowd but we had to wait in line too.

Totally worth it! Amazing jacket!!

Congrats on that silver medal in archery!

Next, it was time for a cool treat at Starbucks.

Before we know it we hear from the boys about there day.

They finished at the track and came over to the mall to help with our bags. Once Cindi and I are left on our own we finish up some very successful shopping. I found the white sweater I'd been looking for and Cindi got an amazing outfit at her favorite shop.

Slow road to Woodburn, OR

We set out mid-day and our sights were south. This road trip takes us on our 2nd annual trip to the Woodburn outlets just south of Portland, Oregon for a little school shopping and fun at the local drag racing track.

Traffic gave us trouble right out of the gate.

This is the first trip of the summer for S'more. He is enjoying the cars going by.

The farther south we got, the hotter it got! 

Traffic got even worse in Oregon. 

Portland traffic is always bad.

The worst is just south of Portland.

We were only 21 miles from our destination, but we couldn't get to it! Took us another hour almost! 

Both trailers settled in and we finally headed to dinner. It was easy to walk to the Red Robin next door, but that's what everyone else thought. The smallest RR in existence has the longest wait. Good thing they had Tangeray 10!

Back on the road

The final morning at the beach house is a frenzy of cleaning and clearing out the fridge. With 7 kids in the house there is also a lot of checking and rechecking that we have everything and that it is divided up to the right kids.

Because we packed last night, getting out this morning took no time at all. Everyone was ready and doors were locked by 9:30, our earliest yet. We did our usual hugs and hit the road.

I'm not sure if it was because I was up late or because I always fall asleep in the car, but I couldn't even get to Warrenton (10 miles) before I was nodding off. I didn't wake up until we got to I-5. Then Skylar had his turn.

Skylar lives a pretty solitary existence. Sharing a house with 16 other people for a week can be exasperating for a teen, especially when those people love you.

We are so lucky to have Walter and Michele in our lives. We love you guys! Thank you for hosting another fantastic year at the beach!

P.S. The Rittierodts love the Manns, Tagues and Lassiters too!

Last day :(

The last day at the beach is all about getting the last minute shopping deals...

And having family pictures done.

We always take family portraits on this trip for Michele's kitchen. We all end up using the pictures for our Christmas cards too.

We always take a fun picture of the whole group too.

This year we went with the selfie stick version on the deck.

We like to get a shot of the kids in age order too so we can chronical their growth.

This year we decided to take pictures of the adult groups. The women and men of Seaside...

The rest of the night was spent on eating leftovers, drinking the rest of the liquor, packing, then watching Big Brother. When it got late we settled in for a rousing game of pictionary. 

Hole in one!

Walter has been playing golf for a very long time and he is a decent player, but yesterday something happened during his game of golf that set him apart from other amateur players.

He hit a hole in one! The golf course was so impressed they were notifying the local paper as well as our home town paper. Walt will also be issued a certificate from the course. 

Typical misty morning

I woke up this morning to the typical ocean mist. I haven't seen it all week. It's weird that I've missed it a little. 

When Michele and I set out for our first trip down the prom the fog was so thick we were covered in dew before the 1st mile. I couldn't see a thing out of my glasses.

By the time I set out for my second trip up and down the prom the fog was already lifting. It's going to be a gorgeous last day in Seaside.

20 years

20 years ago today I woke up in a house with these same people ready to get married to my high school sweetheart.

Of course, none of the kids were there and we were all 20 years younger.

Today, the agenda is much different than 20 years ago. Back then we had a lot to do to throw a backyard wedding. Today we don't have any set plans except to hit the City pool.

After Michelle and I complete our circuit workout I get the boys out for a 5 mile bike ride. The prom bike shop is a great mom and pop place just down the street from the house. The old guy gives a great bike tuneup. Rob got his bike done last summer. This time it was my turn. I decided to add a kickstand and a cool bell to my bike. Skylar also got a new seat in hopes that he wouldn't mind riding so much.

Most of the day was spent running errands and relaxing in the sun, and of course the kids went to the pool with grandma.

Traditionally Rob and I always try to go out to dinner away from the family for our anniversary. This year was no different. We made reservations for Maggie's but before we left Walt wanted to have a cocktail hour. The gang surprised us with a fancy bottle of champagne and a funny card.

We walked on the prom to Maggie's. Maggie's is a great place right on the prom with a great beach view.

The food was amazing and so was the wine. Another wonderful Seaside anniversary.

Rare day

It is rare on the Oregon coast to have a morning that is clear of clouds. This morning was one of those mornings. I got up for a run and it was beautiful and sunny!

I ran three with Michelle. After, she headed to the beach for a cool down and I went back to the house to meet Olivia so we could run three more. Olivia is doing a great job training for her first year of junior high cross-country.

Today was expected to be rainy, the worst day of the week. Plans changed when we woke up to see the sun. We decided to take the kids to Astoria to check out some of their cool sites.

We started with the Astoria Column. You can climb the spiral staircase to the top and throw off gliders. It was really cool and a great view from the top.

The Column is at the top of the Astoria hill with a great view of the Columbia River. We had a great picture all set up of the kids and Steve couldn't help himself to photo bomb the set up.

Next, we set our sights on the goonies house.

Apparently the new owners don't care for visitors.

After that, we decide to head back to Seaside for lunch. We choose my favorite place, the bagel shop!

When we return to the house the sun is shining and it is time to hit the beach!

Skylar stayed behind with Heather to help with dinner.

Dinner was to be Heather's famous chicken noodle soup.

When we came up from the beach it was happy hour and almost time for dinner.

I had my first try at making mojitos and Rob finally got his printer delivery. Seems like every year we end up with a delivery from UPS to the house for some Amazon item.

Happy hour was delicious and so was dinner, of course. Afterwards, it was time to head back down to the beach for a Beach fire and Smore's.

Michele brought lanterns for the kids to light and let off the beach. It was cool to see them float away in the dusk light.

To finish off a near perfect day we went back to the house to have the apple pie that Heather and Skylar had made. It was delicious!