impromptu vacay

 Life landed us an impromptu vacation last week.  With all the ins and outs of Morty's arrival, we put our scheduled two week camp out plans aside. But once he was settled and Jeff felt good about his set-up, we sprung away for a last minute trip to the coast.  The kids are amazing travelers.  We high tailed it to Portland and made it there in time for tacos at my favorite Portland taco shop.  It was so good to see family, especially in light of all that's going on.  Being at Kelli and Jack's is so comfortable for all of us and watching cousins together is absolute, pure love.

Somehow our random plans landed us in line with my girl Melissy's family vacay as well.  Melissa and I talk almost every day and she probably know the ins and outs of my day to day better than anyone.  All that talk, yet we never, ever see each other.  I hadn't even met little Lilit, aka, Lulu, my absolute favorite red tutu wearing little mama. 

 Being able to spontaneously meet up with Miss Malarky three times in one day was absolutely rad.  It breaks my heart that friends and family have to be all split up but it sure does make it sweet when we can swing some together time.  I love this girl.

Speaking of love, there was lots of love between a coupla other girls too.  Miss Annabelly and her big sister cousin were way too sweet.  Eliana loves the big cousin role and was all about taking care of the littles.  Annabelle is growing into such a sweet, chatty and long little lady!  Loved watching their madness.

It was quality time in the city followed by quality time on the coast.  The weather in Seaside was unusually hot and sunny making for lots of time to play in the sand.  Kelli, Jack, Jeff and I stayed up late talking about life and love, family and friends.  I am such a junky for meaningful conversations and that one was way up there.  You can't plan for them, but when they come, what a gift!

 As tends to be the case on the Oregon and Washington coast, our dose of sun was followed by some cooler days.  We found our campsite in the little Washington fishing village of Westport and settled in for five days of surf, campsite goofiness, lots of make believe beach games, and a ton of fresh seafood.  Matt and Amy were there to provide their fill their roles as raddest playmates ever.  As always with those guys, our groove was pretty mellow.

 I am so thankful for the time I am given with my family outdoors.  We had no toys at the beach.  Annabelle's old pail, a shovel we found on the beach, a couple of books.  That was it.  So much of our normal day to day feels so overwhelmed by stuff.  It drives me wonky.  The way one tiny little piece of "plastic crap" (as Jeff loves to say) can wreck such havoc on a seemingly normal day.  Being outside with them is absolute bliss.  I feel so present, so ready to engage, to go wherever they want to, figuratively, go.  Why is that?  What is it about vacation that makes parenting feel so much easier?  Is it that we are together as a family, all equal players in engagement?  Is it just the obvious -- that we are free from the day to day grind of work and school and schedules?  Chime in anytime, as I'd love to figure it out.  All I can say is a week away from it all puts me in such a place of peace.  All of us.  I have nothing but gratitude for this time. 

Tomorrow we say goodbye to daddy and continue our travels, heading south to Cali to meet, finally, baby Mazzy.  I can hardly wait.