The Kids are here! Betsy's Surprise 50th!

Wednesday was an exciting one, because the Goldsmith children were flying in that day. Paul played golf in the morning. Then we took off for Portland after lunch. We wanted to pick up a couple things at the shopping area near the airport - thank goodness Garmin showed us the way! Portland traffic is horrendous. As we started out in Cannon Beach it was 58 degrees and by the time we got to Portland it was around 90...but it was a dry heat.

I scored some new sandals at Marshall's - sparkly silver for Keith Peterson's upcoming wedding! Paul and I got to check out the IKEA store - a new experience for us. It's a Swedish discount shopping experience with furniture, other home supplies - even food. I got jube jel fish for Cindo and some gluten free chips for Amy.

Then it was time to head to the airport. Amy's flight was first, followed by Jud and Kara's a half hour later. All were on time, which was a relief! Hugs all around! The day stayed light nearly all the way back to Cannon Beach, even though it was around 10:30 p.m. by the time we got there. Bolder was the only one up - everyone had a beer then it was off to bed.

Paul is choosing

The next day was Cousin Breakfast Day! We had invited all the cousins to our place for a gathering before my Cali Cousins took off for the next leg of their trip. They were camping - I know...brave with triplets, huh!?! Susi and Sher had scored at a Farmer's Market in CB earlier in the week - they'd gotten Marianberries, blueberries and other great fruit. We got rolls at the delectable Cannon Beach Bakery - so hard to choose which thing to take home!

Susi, Andra, Leslie, Karen

In addition to the Cali Cousins, my Portland cuz, Leslie Morehead was there. She's my Mom's brother Herbert Leslie's daughter. I know - weird that my mom named her daughter the same name. And I have a niece Leslie. It's a great name! She's lived in Portland for many years - 40? And she and her hubby Bob bought a condo in Astoria just north of CB a couple years ago. She's really intelligent (must be a fam trait haha, and interesting). Leslie works as a consultant in computer software.

I was glad our children had a chance to talk to my cousins - after all they're the same generation as Andra. It's important to me that they have an idea where they came from. I'm sorry Amy and Jud didn't get to know my Mom much, since she died when they were so young. They have met Leslie M. a few times though, which is cool! We did a cousin photo before they left. Steve and Andra are bloggers too! I'm so glad the cousins made time to see us during our gathering.

Susi, Betsy, me, Cindy, Steve Legarra, Leslie Morehead

Susi overlooks cheese production

Cindy and I crash the cheese van

Then we were off to Tillamook to see the cheese factory and the Cape Meares to see the lighthouse. We've made this trek each time I've been here. It's pretty cheesy (yes that's a pun) but fun. I love factories and these folks do it right. I believe the gummi bear factory in Creston should do this - it would be a gold mine for everyone, especially the town of Creston! We took fam photos out front after chowing down ice cream.

The Kohan clan - Wayne is home with the doggies

The Goldsmiths with Kara

Cape Meares is so beautiful - but some knucklehead vandalized the lens of the lighthouse so we weren't able to go up in it as we had before. Kara, Jud, Paul and I walked up to see the Octopus tree too.

How would you like to see this mob walking towards you? On the way to the lighthouse...

Jud and Kara by flag along fence

Checking out the Octopus Tree

After we got back, we had lunch at Moe's - the restaurant right near our home. The Bloody Marys there were good - lots of olives, beans etc. in them! I had fish tacos, yum! Susi and Sher joined our family. It was fun to talk to Sher about writing - she's into journaling and has written the life story of a man who had a terminal illness. This blog is similar to journaling.

That night was burger night! We grilled at our place (by we I mean Bolder and Pablo). Cousin Leslie came back this time with her spousal unit Bob, who is retired from USDA Forest Service. He traveled all over the world in that position. It was another evening of beverages, food and good company.

Plus it was Betsy's Surprise 50th Birthday! Which is really August 27th (1 day before our 30th Anniversary). I think she would have been surprised had not my sissies been a little loose lipped the night before after champagne when we were in Portland picking up the cherubs. Bolder brought the Pope Hat along, and arranged for Sarah and friend to scatter flower petals. Susi carried an old medallion Mom had either given to her or she inherited - from England dated 1970. I had prepared a slide show, but was sad the music didn't come through (We Are Family!). It was fun. Welcome to 50 sis - it beats the alternative!

It made me very happy to have Amy and Jud there with us.

The next couple days in beautiful Oregon

Ah - the life of vacation. One could get used to it!
Paul played golf with Wayne, Susi, Sher and my niece Sarah and her friend Allison on Monday. Cindo and I walked on the beautiful beach with Ziggy and Kirby the wonder wieners. I wished Odie could have been there - but of course, she would have hated both of them! She's a kind of a bitch. Like her mommy...

They're full brothers from the same litter. Ziggy is the chunky one (or
big bones as I used to say about Moki)

We headed towards Frank and Joe, the two big rocks south of our beach home. It was quite refreshing out - breezy and low 60's I'd say. Quite different than the 100 degrees back home in Iowa. I love talking to my sissies while walking - the time and the miles go quickly. I had fun trying out my new camera.

And they didn't even plan to coordinate outfits...

See the starfish peeking out from the water?

When my sisters and I get together it's pretty much non-stop talking. We don't tend to talk on the phone a great deal in between seeing each other. I'm not much for phone conversations. We email updates. But when we're together - watch out! Our kids love to sit and listen to the stories.

Bolder with Paul Kohan

When we got back from the walk Bolder, Cindy's husband and Paul Betso's oldest (one of the twins) son were ready to head to the "town" part of Cannon Beach for some Clam Chowder. Paul drove us in his new Mazda 3. Much to his parent's delight, Paul has a job! He's a proud graduate of the tough Computer Science program at the University of Washington in Seattle. He'll be working for White Pages, helping online clients get the information they're looking for. He was wined and dined by lots of employers before selecting that company. So if your child has computer aptitude - there are jobs!

It was fun hanging with Paul as a newly minted adult. We ate at what ended up being our go-to place The Driftwood. Decent Bloody Marys, the best chowder (according to chowder eaters), and good other soups, and really good prime rib sannies.

That night Betso made her famous pasta dish with heavy cream and Italian Sausage. We hung out at our house with its big kitchen, living room area. Cowgirl on bunny patrol was the entertainment. I didn't stay up too late though - still catching up for the night before and our long day of flying!

Paul Kohan went with Paul, Boldie, Cindo and me the next day too, on our trek to Seaside, the town just north, where we ate lunch at a new brew pub in an old jailhouse. The tangerine brew was good. Shopped at Safeway and selected a big chunk of salmon for grilling that night. Bolder is griller extraordinaire! He made some of it blackened and some just seasoned. Plus he did sweet corn on the grill. Paul G. was his helper. They spent each afternoon together at the "Raven" just up the street, chatting up the cute bartender chicks and having a few bevvies. They've become such buddies!

That afternoon I invited our cousins over to our place to visit a bit without the "mob". Cindo and I were the only ones home at the time of their visit. It was my cousin Steve Legarra and his wife Karen, along with their daughter Andra Speck and her husband Zach plus their triplets! Amelia, Abigail and Ethan - going on 4 years old. I read Andra's blog and am amazed at how much this fam does with a busy group like this. They all live in California - Andra and family in Rocklin and her parents not far from there. Steve is my Aunt Dorothy - my Mom's sister's son. We didn't know them well as the miles between Iowa and Cali were a barrier.

I'd gotten to meet Steve, Karen and Andra in October of 2010 when they trekked here tracking down genealogy information.
My Blog about our 2010 visit

I think she got marshmallow in her eyebrows...success!

I was happy to finally get a chance to meet the little guys! They're quite the characters and I was glad our CB home came complete with kid's books. They quite enjoyed those. I invited them to our Smores fest later that night! A new experience for the kiddos.

Cindy helps the triplets daddy supply smores

Nothing like a fire on the beach - we don't get this in Florida

These were a busy couple of days - just what the doctor ordered. Beach time, a few bevs, relatives, good food, and laughs galore. The environment is great!