we snuck away...

the bowling

the beach

the kites

the puddles

The dudes and I snuck away to Long Beach

with Liz and her crew on Tuesday night.

We didn't even know we were going until the last minute.

We were only there 33 hours but packed a lot into it.

We got in at 11pm Tuesday and interrupted

Liz's Twilight time.

We were eating donuts by 8 am Wednesday.

We went home and let the kids play

before heading to Astoria for bowling and pizza.

Naps for the kids (and I) came next.

When we woke up it had stopped raining

for the first time in days

so we packed up and headed to the beach.

Charlie played in the sand for the first time.

The weather was perfect for

Will and Henry to fly a kite for the first time.

Liz and I got a huge kick out of the kite, too.

On our trip home from the beach we stomped

and splashed in the huge mud puddles.

Lucy especially loved it

(even when she fell in face first)

As you can see in the pictures,

she was not happy when we left.

Will then rode Henry's bike back to the house

(first time really riding by himself).

Baths all around when we got home.

Liz made super Tuna Casserole for dinner.

Henry barfed it back up.

We read books and the tired rugrats

hopped happily into bed.

We woke up Thursday, stripped the beds

ate some breakfast and were on the road by 8:30.

I can't describe what a treat it was to have a mini vacation,

come home and still have the whole weekend to hang.

I am so thankful for the McDougall's friendship

and willingness to keep inviting us to the beach.

(in spite of Will's attitude and mood swings)

And I'm thankful to Kathy and Mike

for keeping such a perfect little house.

I love it there.

I can completely relax

and feel right at home.

until next time...