Celebrating Joseph's 7th and Victoria and Caroline's 17th Birthdays!

We had so much fun as a family, taking Joe, Victoria and Caroline to Cannon Beach, Oregon on Thursday to celebrate their birthdays!  Even Kyle was able to be with us!  And the day was absolutely beautiful!!!  We changed plans last minute from our original  plan of taking them for their usual overnight camping trip to Long Beach, WA on Friday and Saturday, to just the one day at Cannon Beach on Thursday.  With the weather changing over to cooler temps and rain in the forecast, we seized the opportunity to go on Thursday for just the one day while it was still warm and sunny.   And boy, are we glad we did!  It was just perfect conditions!   And Cannon Beach was a lot more fun and picturesque in many ways!  We still finished the day in Long Beach, WA, as Victoria and Caroline really wanted to ride their horses in the arena at the campground where we usually stay.  So, that is where we had dinner and enjoyed the beautiful sunset! 

 We sure enjoyed taking pictures right in front of Haystack Rock!

Valerie, Benjamin and Brielle watched them ride for a while,

and then after our picnic lunch,

we just had to get some pictures of Benjamin enjoying the horses, too!

 

 He sure loves the horses!

And he seems to be a "natural" at it!

Maybe it is because of all the "horsey" rides he gets in our living room!

 

 

 Back to the trailer on a trail made just for the horses!

At Ecola State Park,

while the boys did some tide-pooling,

Kyle enjoyed resting with a good book in hand.

And Valerie played with her puppy, Ellie.

 

 

Going tide-pooling is the activity that Joe requested to do to celebrate his birthday! 

 

 Benjamin got to meet a starfish,

and he wasn't sure he wanted anything to do with it at first!

Then, on to Long Beach for dinner and the beautiful sunset!

Oh, and a little more riding!

 

 What a wonderful day we had together,

celebrating all the blessings God has given!

 With the sunset behind us,

we pointed the van toward home,

and saw the full "harvest" moon rising!

It was spectacular! 

 

"Praise the Lord.

Praise the Lord from the heavens,

praise him in the heights above.

Praise him, all his angels,

praise him,

all his heavenly hosts.

Praise him, sun and moon,

praise him, all you shining stars.

Praise him, you highest heavens

and you waters above the skies.

Let them praise the name of the Lord,

for he commanded and they were created.

He set them in place for ever and ever;

he gave a decree that will never pass away.

Praise the Lord from the earth,

you great sea creatures and all ocean depths,

lightning and hail,

snow and clouds,

stormy winds that do his bidding,

you mountains and all hills,

fruit trees and all cedars,

wild animals and all cattle,

small creatures and flying birds

kinds of the earth and all nations,

you princes and all rulers on earth,

young men and maidens,

old men and children.

Let them praise the name of the Lord,

for his name alone is exalted;

his splendor is above the earth and the heavens."

Psalm 148:1-13