Manzanita Madness

This past weekend we took our first toddler road trip . . . that's right three families complete with kiddos, dogs, & golf clubs . . . to Manzanita, Oregon. Sunny skies, a massive, sparkling new beach house, and lots (and lots) of good company made for an unforgettable weekend. While I thought the weekend was going to be a marathon of pulling apart feuding kiddos (toy wars!), chasing barking dogs, and trying to enjoy relaxing grown-up time while the babies screamed in protest over bedtime, it actually was . . . well, EASY!! Easy, and fun, and relaxing, and full of great moments provided by our never-ending source of entertainment in the form of three hilarious toddlers and a beautiful little newborn baby girl. Ok, not to be outdone, the dads added some comedy gems to the trip as well!

Manzanita is the beach town for those of us who have grown a little bored with the coastal beach towns us homegrown Northwesterners have been to a million and one times. Of course the beauty of the ocean never disappoints (not knockin' mama earth!), it's no secret these little towns dressing the coast have seen better days. Manzanita is definitely the remedy for this epidemic of beach side shabby, complete with it's charming shops, quaint natural food stores, yoga studio, wine bar, and even a nine hole golf course for the daddies. If you ever need a tour guide, you know who to call!

While the beach was an obvious highlight, for Jackson I think the true joy of the weekend was hanging with his new best buddies, Adelle, Huckleberry (not pictured), and Clementine. Seeing my son cuddle and love up on a doggie that was (super sweet, though) four times his size made my mommy heart swell with pride. I know, any normal mom would be a little freaked out at the "no fear" factor, but the farmer in me can't help but smile.



Just this little taste of sun & sand has us in full summer vaca planning mode, so now the question is, where to next?!