Vacation 2010 - Part 1

Last week we spent our vacation on the Oregon coast. This was our first big trip with the little ones (that is if you don't consider the trip to the US from Ethiopia) and their first trip to the ocean. How do you describe the ocean to someone who has never seen it? They were very excited and we couldn't wait to watch them experience it.

During our last year of homeschooling we focused on American history. We studied all about Lewis and Clark and their discoveries of the western United States just 200 years ago. On our way to Oregon we took the opportunity to visit a wonderful Lewis and Clark Museum located on Cape Disappointment in Washington. This point of land is where the Columbia river meets the Pacific Ocean. We all enjoyed reading journals from the expedition that told the timeline and adventures that they encountered on their journey. I was amazed at the bravery it took to travel west with no real knowledge of how long it might take to reach the Pacific.

After our time at Cape Disappointment we traveled on to our condo in Gearhart, Oregon. As soon as we unpacked we ran down to the beach. We were amazed at the hundreds of people on the beach. We love this little town because of the quiet atmosphere. It just happened to be the Fourth of July and everyone was there to celebrate.

It was quite cold and windy. We decided to go back to our condo and watch the fireworks from the comfort of our couch. Sunshine and Little Buddy were in awe. There were fireworks going off in every direction. It was absolutely beautiful!

The best part was putting the kids right to bed as soon as it was all over!=)
This is the incredible sunset that God gave us on the 4th! Man-made fireworks don't hold a candle to this kind of display!

Sweet Momma