Of Beaches and Traditions

To me,

TRADITIONS are invaluable.

They help to build memories

They develop character

They link generations

and

THEY ARE FUN!

(So fun they even have their own song)

"You may ask, how did this tradition start? I'll tell you - I don't know. But it's a tradition... Because of our traditions, everyone knows who he is..." (Fiddler on the Roof)

Our tradition?

Visiting the Oregon Coastline

also known to us as

"the beach."

These moments are from a trip we took in March of 2014.

Destination?

Tillamook Cheese Factory

and

Oceanside Beach

What is it about these that are so fun??

*Not from the beach trip*

What are these things even called?

Head Hole thingies? 

Anywho, I am a sucker.

 If I see one, I just have to put my head in it!

Check this out 

5 in 1!!!

Back to Tillamook

LouLou was NOT amused with the car seat situation

nor

the cheese situation.

I call this picture "What the Hell?"

Unfortunately, the worker peeps had the weekend off. So, no actual cheese making was seen. The equipment was cool though

...

to Andrew and I.

I wont lie...Tillamook was a bust! 

Jaxson was obsessed with the idea of eating cheese and ice cream

and

did not believe cheese makers were entitled to a day off.

(I learned not to tell him what we are doing before we do it because he tends to focus on his favorite idea)

=

he was "bored."

Emilee was 2 and cheese just would not do!

Andrew devoured the squeaky cheese, his favorite. 

The kids loved the ice cream!

Are you wondering where the ice cream pictures are?

3 kids + ice cream = chaos

3 kids + ice cream = no picture

3 kids + ice cream = 2 parents questioning their sanity

We survived

(searching for seashells)

The beach is a long standing tradition in both of our families

When Andrew and I first were married I asked him what traditions he wanted to continue from his childhood.

His immediate response was "the beach!"

My family also had a similar tradition.

I love beach memories,

especially when they involve my children.

(Butt photo bomb)

I should point out that this when discussing traditions, neither Andrew nor I recognized that "the beach" could have a few different meanings.

I grew up going to California and Rigby Lake for my beach access

both warm and sunny.

I mean, who in their right mind would go to a beach with no sun?

Andrew grew up on coastal beaches.

Rain, was never a deterrent to visiting the beach.

It was simply an indication that one needed more layers.

Our first family trip to the coast in 2010....was an experience.

An experience in defining the definition of a beach.

I learned to love it.

Weather is now never a deterrent to having fun!!

We have produced offspring that have a love for the beach

and hopefully

a love for tradition.

To them it is never a bad day.

They are always full of joy and enthusiasm.

It motivates me to have a better view.

We enjoyed watching the hang and para gliders float in the sky and land on the beach

(Not the most friendly bunch of adventuring individuals. I blame it on their stress)

It was this trip to the coast that Emilee started saying "Let's go beach! Let's go beach!"

When we arrived at the destination she was beyond excited.

She could not get down to the sand fast enough.

Cute....right?

I wish we would have captured Andrew in a picture!

It was cold

but these little ones did not care.

These kids are down with tradition!

Our dogs loved running to and fro!

Emilee is always one step behind Jaxson.

She loves him.

He loves her.

They are the best of friends.

LouLou was swaddled to the nines!

I do not remember her being as amused with the beach as the rest of us.

The tradition bandwagon obviously takes time!

Shout out to my dog, Reggie. 

The beach may have been boring but the bottle sure was not.

The kids found some seaweed,

I think?

Hours of entertainment for free!

This was one of those mom moments when I was actually thankful for dirt! 

Jaxson thought this looked like a woman with seaweed hair.

And, as we all know,

every woman with seaweed hair needs a kiss!

Once the bottle was gone,

my necklace became entertainment.

A few moments after this picture my beloved necklace met its death. 

 *tear*

"It takes an endless amount of history to make even a little tradition." ~Henry James

I think back to my memories of the beach  and my heart fills with peace, joy and love.

May these memories never fade

and

may my children always know who they are and where they came from.

What is your tradition?