Wetsuits and Boogie Boards

The best part of our vacation this year was the time spent in the ocean. After last year's boogie boarding experience I knew I wanted to be ready with my own gear. Cam bought me everything to stay warm and a cool boogie board of my own. The kids also got lots of gear over the course of the year. We were set! On the OR coast you need a full wetsuit, boots and gloves to keep warm. 

Sis wasn't sure about going all the way into the waves but a wetsuit is good for keeping warm in the little surf too....and while doing cartwheels. 

I bought Cam a full hood so the top of his head and back of neck would be protected from the sun. 

It was so fun to suit up and head down to the waves as a family. Tuba was plenty happy to stand in the sand and watch us ride the waves. 

After we were done we loved the outdoor (heated) shower to rinse off.

Cam and I stayed in the water longer than the kids. I think it's the benefit of being older (and having more fat). We stayed warmer! We were addicted to the waves and loved being out there together. The kids would get cold after about an hour and bail out one at a time. They'd head up to the house to shower and Cam and I would keep going. 

George was a maniac. He is a good swimmer but it made me feel better for him to be in a life vest. He would be out in the waves with us. Considering the height difference he was so brave! The waves coming at us that were above our heads were WAY above his head. 

Look at these surfer studs! Oh my, how handsome. 

The ocean is calling to me as I write this. We miss it! The way the water feels and sounds, the color of it, the taste of salt and the smell are just magical. And the thrill of riding a wave as it propels you toward the beach. So wonderful! 

Cam's 46th Birthday

On the second day of our vacation it was Cam's birthday! Woot! What better place to celebrate than at our favorite place on earth!

We started our day with exercise on the beach. Cam headed out first on a run and then I went out for a brisk walk. As I was walking on the beach I notice that I was walking in Cam's footprints. Literally. Well, except that his stride is much longer than mine.

Anyway, as I was walking I started thinking of ways that I should be more like Cam. You know...ways to walk in his footsteps.

Cam is an amazing person and there are many things about him that I admire. I decided that I would spend his birthday trying to be "more like Cam".

I already had a good start on my plan since I was exercising. Cam is devoted to exercise. You see, he truly loves. He calls it his medicine. Actually he LOVES it....can't get enough of it.

After my brisk walk Cam and I lifted some weights on the beach house deck and then did our stretches.

I already told you how Cam and the kids were boogie boarding like crazy. Well, if I was going to spend my day being more like Cam then I decided I should boogie board too. I don't have a wetsuit so I borrowed Cam's. The boys were all excited for me to head out with them.

Once in the water I took direction from Mr. P and Cam. They would tell me when to catch the wave. It was SUPER fun!! I yelled and laughed just like Cam.

I got rolled once. By rolled I mean that the ocean swamped me and threw me off my board. I couldn't tell which end was up or down. I swallowed half the ocean and the other half was lodged in my nasal cavity. Whew! I stood up sputtering out the sea water. Cam laughed and said, "welcome to the club". Okay, since I was in the club now I laughed it off and headed back out...Cam style.

Boogie boarding was a blast. My Christmas list is also full of wetsuit items and a boogie board. Next year is going to be so much fun!

For Cam's birthday lunch we headed to our favorite place for fish and chips. We got to sit at our fav table too!

After lunch it's our family tradition to climb the dune. Most of the kids and Cam climb it every year....maybe even two or three times! I've never climbed to the top. But, if I was going to be more like Cam....then I would be summiting! So, off I headed. It's STEEP! I mean it....and windy....and exhausting....and STEEP. But, I persevered. And rested. And climbed. And summited!

The view was amazing! And the wind was whipping! I do not recommend putting on fresh lip gloss before climbing a sand dune in windy weather. Lesson learned. Although all that sand acted as dermabrasion and I now have no wrinkles on my lips.

The kids and Cam love to run down the dune at top speed. I reserved the "be more like Cam" and trotted down.

Back at the beach house we baked up a yummy pie for the birthday dessert. We found a nice local made organic pie! We searched for a candle and came up with one. Well, it worked.

Happy Birthday to my love! You are smart, energetic, friendly, kind, impulsive, athletic, driven and funny. And I want to be more like you!!

Ocean Vacation Time!

I'm never sure how to share about our vacation. I take a lot of photos! We have a lot of fun!

Last year I wrote about each special place or activity that we enjoy while at the beach. This year I'm not quite sure how to go about it.

I'm going to start with sharing some boogie boarding photos. As the kids have gotten older and become better swimmers they spend more time in the ocean.

This year almost everyone wanted to try boogie boarding. Sis and Tuba are still plenty happy to wade in the waves or dig in the sand. But the rest of the kids loved getting in the ocean and riding the waves.

We had bought Mr. P and George wetsuits for their birthdays this summer in preparation for the COLD ocean. Moses wanted one too so we rented one for the week. Cam owns a suit along with boots, gloves and head cover. That water is seriously cold!

Several times a day the kids and Cam would suit up in their wetsuits and head out to, "shred some waves". After about an hour they would head up to the house, strip their suits off, rinse off in the outdoor shower (yes, I'm sure the neighbors got tired of the Wright boys in their wet undies), and then have a warm shower. This makes for a fun day...and a lot of wet towels.

Be still my heart. These pics are so cute!! I love my guys! 

You could hear them all up and down the beach hooting and hollering as they caught the waves and rode them in. 

Sis danced and splashed and played while watching the boys. 

Tuba loves the music of the ocean and he really loves to watch his family boogie board. 

My happy place is on the beach. The dogs loved it too. 

We are planning lots of wetsuit accessories for Christmas gifts this year. It really helps you stay warm to have gloves and boots on.