Newport Action

When we weren't all dressed up in cute matching HANSEN shirts - we stripped down to our meager bathing suits and dove into the frigid waters of the Pacific.  (Long sleeve rash guards do NOT keep you warm).  It took me 3 days to work up the courage to go swimming.  We started off with some easy downhill "jumps"...

Anyone who has traveled with Matty knows that there will be some sort of race/jump/event dreamt up to pass the time...

Let me just say that this image is PRICELESS.  I will keep it forever and ever...I might even use it as my screen saver...it needs no comment.

Throw in some dirt fights...

Back to the jumping

I'm not sure how you extend 6'2" but she probably would have gone a little farther if she had...

And now on to the foot race - 2nd annual - TWINKIE TRACK THROWDOWN (I didn't get to participate 'cause I had camera duty-but I probably would've won.)

I love Carter in the background!

Matt lost...but I'm thinking that Timmy fell and they had to run it a second time? or did he run into Carter? I can't remember it was 3 months ago!? (see why you shouldn't put off telling your stories)

and let's pause for a word from our sponsors...Coppertone Baby.

AND finally (you thought they had enough?) a long distance jump...I think Matt was grasping at straws by this time - Timmy pretty much dominates all athletic events in our family...one day we'll take him down 

One of the days was "Grandma Great" day...the little girl cousins got to hang and do crafts and interview Grandma Great.  They were all so cute and all the "little grandmas" (Kathy and Marsha) were so sick of "Little Sally Walker" that I think they were counting down the minutes to the final interviews so they could stop playing that lovely game :$

We headed back to the beach and found lots of cousins and friends, and a crazy lady (New York City Bag lady?) - she was actually really nice and held all of our hats, sunglasses and blankets...(I don't need to wonder where I get my sun-aversion from)

Don't let these cute faces fool you...rascals I tell ya!

Cat and her kitten....meow.

Cousin Kelly was kind enough (and brave/warm enough) to get indy up on the surfboard. 

We "bumped" into our Peterson buddies...small world

Can't get enough of this girl.

Or this rascal.

I could've used a full-body wet-suit - I swear I swam over a glacier - but Indy was ready to cheer me on when I emerged.

and so was this little fish - she hardly ever came out of the water.

Oh look...a heart!

The last night we vowed to stay until the sun went down...it's the very best time to be at the beach...turns out the water is warmer!! ok it's not warmer but it feels so much better as the sun is setting..and the light is gorgeous...look at our little red glowing in the beautiful rays!

Of course there were mega-jumps built...and yes the little boys were able to play on them AFTER Matt had a turn.

Hey Girl.

We had a wonderful vacation - I made all sorts of yummy "pinterest" mason jar salads - HA! but we really like the Chronic Taco runs...ok the runs to get the Chronic Tacos...not the runs you get from...nevermind.
It's kinda nice to look at these when it's rainy/windy/verge of snowing outside...makes me feel all warm inside.