Newport for Spring Break

We went to Newport for Spring break with my parents. I LOVE THE OCEAN! It makes my heart so happy. The sight, the sound, the smell all of it just seems like home to me somehow. The kids were thrilled. We got to do lots of fun things. Since Sydney's birthday was over Spring Break we got to celebrate it there with Grandma and Grandpa Pack. It was very special to Sydney to have them around to celebrate her birthday with us. She really wanted to go look at tide pools on her birthday, but the weather didn't cooperate. We did get to some tide pools another day and she had a lot of fun. Wynn got SOAKED. in his Iron man pj's he insisted on wearing, almost immediately but he was a trooper and hung in there until we were ready to leave. We ever had a seal watching us wobble around on the rocks. I really think he thought we were crazy! The waves were so huge they came up and over the rocks once and knocked even me down a bit. We visited the Oregon Coast Aquarium as well as the Hatfield Marine Science Center during our visit. I really enjoyed the science center, which was a pleasant surprise since neither Andy or I had ever heard of it. There were so many cool salt water tanks and hands on exhibits for the kids to explore. When they are a few years older we could spend a lot more time there. /Andy and Dad's request was that we set some crab pots so we did and they enjoyed their crab macaroni dinner even though we only caught 6 small red crab. I tried it again, but alas, I still don't have a taste for them. Another day, w

e saw sea lions down at the bay front and, true to tradition, bought tons of freshly made salt water taffy. It was very yummy! we got so many flavors though we couldn't keep track to know which kind we liked best. Our hike to the lighthouse reminded me so much of the forest in Alaska I got slightly sad and reminiscent. I had never visited a light house before and it was beautiful. I'm glad I didn't have to live by one and care for it decades ago however. That would have been a HARD, isolated life. I'm so glad we got some sunshine and got to enjoy the beautiful coast with mom and dad. It was a great experience with lots of fun memories made. Looking forward to a return to the beach sometime soon....ish!