Seaside Aquarium

Our last stop was to the Seaside Aquarium which was right next to our hotel. We walked in a were able to feed the seals. They were so cute and funny. We had this little tray of stinky, dead fish to feed them...of course my kids loved that part. The seals would slap their bellies and "beg" for food. It you didn't feed them, they would get mad and splash you. It was so funny. My kids laughed and laughed.

The aquarium was dark and cool inside. It was a small, homey feel and the kids were able to "touch" almost everything. They touched sea urchins, crabs, star fish, hermit crabs, and all kinds of other stuff. They loved it. I have never seen them so fascinated with stuff. They literally had their hands in the water the whole time. When it was time to leave, I think they all had the "wrinkly raisin fingers". It was a highlight for the boys. I am a little more skiddish about touching live animals of any kind.

Seaside Oregon

For the rest of our spring break weekend, we went to Seaside, Oregon. We had never been there before, but surfed the net and decided it was the place for us. We could not have been any happier. It is the cutest, quaint, family-friendly place. We stayed in a hotel right on the beach. We fed the seagulls off our deck, we biked, walked and enjoyed the smells and sounds of the sea right off our deck, we swam in the pool (a little too cold for ocean swimming) and we ate lots of yummy food. It was the perfect spot. We couldn't have had any more fun.

Spring Break to Oregon

For spring break we decided to take the kids on a road trip to Oregon. Our first stop was hiking to the top of Multnomah Falls, Oregon. I remember when I was a teenager my mom and I went to Portland area at least twice a year for gymnastic meets. I was always so excited when I saw Multnomah Falls because I knew we were getting very close to Portland and we almost always stopped and my mom would let me and my friends run to the bridge and chase around for awhile. I always thought it was because we begged her to let us, but now being the mom myself, I KNOW it was because she was so sick of us in the car, she wanted the break. And to let us burn off some of that abundant, never ending energy that youth brings. Sometimes I wish I still had that kind of energy.

My boys loved the hike to the top. I had to run to catch Lance several times. He doesn't quite understand some of the dangers that hiking a tall cliff involve. It is a little freaky for mom and dad, though. We were all soaked to the bone when we finished, but our spirits were renewed and we loved it.

I love how free it feels to be out in nature enjoying the beauty that Heavenly Father has so richly blessed us with. I love seeing and feeling the world around us. And when it's such wide open spaces, my kids come alive. They are outdoorsmen to the MAX. I loved being here with my boys...all 5 of them. Thanks Joel for taking us to Multnomah Falls. Thanks for being a good sport on my "active/workout" vacation...and even enjoying it.