The past two months of summer have been a blur of remodel chaos, but the date stamp on these photos tells me that we enjoyed a few mellow days down at the Oregon Coast right after school let out. Juliette had been counting down the days till this trip for weeks and begged could we please stop in Portland and pick up Morgan for the rest of the rest of the drive to Neskowin?
Thank goodness for backseat buddies.
Our car was the first to arrive at my brother’s beach house and we wasted no time making our way down to the ocean.
I’m so happy these girls haven’t outgrown the thrill of playing at the water’s edge.
SO HAPPY.
Juliette’s stamina for beach runs is unmatched, so Shane took a shift when Morgan pooped out.
Sunday was Father’s Day and Mitch gifted himself some solo fishing time down at the beach in the morning. Shane and I walked down to the corner store to grab some coffee and then popped by to see if he’d caught anything (he hadn’t, but he sure looked content in his element!).
Morning snuggles, cards, and gifts…
Shane asked for this 1900-piece Lego set for Father’s Day, not so much for the space shuttle, but for the promise of more quality time with his little buddy. Because he truly is one of the most devoted dads on the face of the planet.
We spent the afternoon back down at the beach.
I know this is a silly amount of pictures of Juliette, but I can’t help it – this kid’s joy over being with family is too good to not share.
Uncle Mitch might very well be the funniest man alive.
Sealing this afternoon of simple, silly family time away in the memory bank…
Mitch had packed a crowbar and some work gloves in the beach bag and their use became clear when the tide receded enough to expose a treasure trove of mussels locked to the base of Proposal Rock.
We dined on pasta with steamed mussels for dinner on Sunday and got a slow start on Monday. I sipped coffee while the girls giggled over who-knows-what.
Shane and Kathryn both worked on Monday, so Mitch and I took Juliette and Morgan for a late-morning hike while Elise slept in.
The woods were packed with mosquitos that morning, so we quickly changed course and opted for the wide-open beach.
A mama, a daughter, and a newfound pet ladybug…
Though I suspect Juliette would take a chihuahua over a ladybug any day.
Shane has recently taken up pickle ball and Kathryn is a certified pickle ball champion, so we spent Monday evening down at the courts getting a few pointers.
Get it, Jules!
…but I think you may be holding your paddle wrong?
When the kids tired of the courts, I took them down the street to the arcade, which was a total blast from the past.
The Jarrells all headed back to Portland early Tuesday and Shane holed up in the guest room for another day of work, so that left Juliette and I free to find our own adventures. Or not…
I could have read books and drank tea all day, but the call of the Coast is strong, so we left the house before lunch for a hike at Cape Lookout.
Pals.
Cape Lookout is a fitting name, huh?
And…back to the car! I don’t have Shane’s talent for a detailed retelling of Lord of the Rings, so instead Juliette spent the hike back telling me everything (every. thing.) about the characters on Miraculous, her latest favorite Netflix series.
We lazed in the afternoon and then headed back toward Pacific City once Shane was done with work, making good on our ritual of climbing the giant sand dune every time we’re in the neighborhood.
It never gets easier…
And Juliette never fails to be first to the top.
But also, the views never disappoint…
Juliette ran most the way down the hill, then climbed back up to do it again, just for fun. Lord, I wish I could bottle that pizazz and take a shot of it each morning.
Wednesday was go-day, but Juliette and I had a couple of hours in the morning to play in the sun while Shane worked. Hot chocolate and bare feet for the win.
And…leisure tank filled!
