April condensed

April was/is busy. We had Mike's mom come into town just before Easter, and she was able to stay with us for 2 weeks. So lovely having the freedom to do errands in the middle of the day without all three kids on tow. We loved  having her here, especially during birthday season. Mike and I celebrate our birthdays 10 days apart and rather than having two parties, we usually just combine for some fun. Because Elaine was here we got to go out a couple of times: mini golf, ice cream, lunch at a Coffee Shop, a local chocolate shop. Wonderful. So grateful for Elaine's willingness to watch the kids for us. And for being such a great grandma. The kids love her. We also had some friends over for a chocolate fondue bash for Mike's choice, and had the nastiest (looked so much better when I purchased it at the store) peppermint pie on my birthday. Live and learn. Homemade is always better.

While Elaine was here, and unrelated to our birthdays, we made a trip out to the coast. Because we can now, and that is just spectacular. We visited the Tillimook cheese factory, Blue Heron Cheese Factory, the ocean, and the Cape Mears Lighthouse. Que photo reel.

 Driving in the car

Blue Heron had a petting zoo and tons of farm equipment for the kids to climb on... I mean to look at.

The progression of Everett at the beach....

Nice and dry

 This job is getting tough... time to roll up the sleeves

 Now the shoes are getting in the way

Lets just ditch the pants while we are at it. That way sand can get into every crevis... and it did. Oh fun times cleaning up with out a wash off station at this beach.

We love the beach.

Also while Elaine was here we decided to hit up Safari Sam's. The kids had a great time climbing and playing. But it seemed the racing video game took the cake for attention nabber... and I didn't even put money in it.

 Lastly, or I guess it was firstly when you consider the timeline, we celebrated Easter with Elaine. We took the kids to 2 different Easter egg hunts. The first one was put on by the community. Tons of kids there... to be expected, but Everett and Daylin made this momma proud. They knew the strategy, and conquered the field. :) Or in other words, I was impressed by their abilities to pick up an egg and put it in their basket and continue the hunt rather than stop to open it right there. We also did a hunt with just my brother's family. A lot of fun and a lot less competition. :)

A sad egg left behind while Daylin's age group was hunting. Everett was happy to keep the little guy company while he waited for his turn to hunt.

 It was hard to get a picture of her, she was so fast and there were so many other kids there.

Conquering hero with the spoils, scanning the field to be sure none where left behind.

 A few random pictures from the time we had with Elaine

 

So glad grandma came.