We are going to the beach!

This picture was taken three years ago. The last time our whole family got to go on vacation together. Notice we all look a bit younger :>). My kids are always making fun of me, because I am always saying. "This is the last_______". This is the last football game, the last senior prom, the last time we may all be together for a family vacation... You get the picture. They just think I am being ridiculous. This year we tried to gather the clan for a week at the beach. Some were willing but others thought it could wait for another year. They think life will always go on the same, but I know better at my ripe old age past the 1/2 century mark. Life doesn't stand still, not for long anyway. Next time we gather we will definitely have a new addition, and life will never be the same for our young couple expecting our new little treasure. So this is a picture of our last family vacation, at this size anyway. The future will hold just an expanded version.

The good news is Dan and I have a wonderful trip planned for just the two of us. A wedding in Portland, two nights at a beach home with friends in Manzanita, and than a lovely B&B at Cannon Beach for just the two of us. I am so looking forward to spending some one on one time with my wonderful man. As things have worked out, it will be very lovely to spend time by ourselves. I have always worried about the empty nest thing. You know the house getting too quiet. What was I thinking! They just keeping bring more people back with them. I absolutely love it that my kids feel so welcomed and comfortable sharing our lives and our home with all their friends and family. I thrive on it really. But, peace and quiet and a time of real rest sound so wonderful. And Cannon Beach, oh my, if you live in the Northwest and have never enjoyed this gorgeous beach; I hope to sell you on it! I am going to steal an idea from my friend Nadine, and document our trip. So I will leave you with a teaser of some past pictures of this lovely beach. I am looking forward to morning coffee at the local internet cafe touching bases with my blog family and friends.