Beach Trip 2013...and Goodbye to G'ma

 Last weekend we had our  annual beach trip with the cousins.  We were back at the same house where we stayed last year, in Lincoln Beach, Oregon.  We had lots of sunshine and fun times.  I can only speak for myself, but I can pretty much guarantee that this getaway is a favorite annual event for everyone involved.  But aside from spending 4 days together, we knew that on this trip we had an important job to do~let my mom's ashes free in the sea.....just like we did for my dad. 

 7 cousins that just can't get enough of each other.  They have SO much fun together!

 Susie and the girls.

Serious action shot!  Carrie, Ella, and Catie playing some down-set-steal on the beach.

Uncle Greg and his 'crazy' nieces and nephews.

 Cousins playing catch on the beach at sunset.

Of course, lots of hot-tubbin'!

 Shortly after we arrived, all of the grand-kids wrote a letter to grandma and put it in a bottle, and threw it out to sea.  Very sweet. 

 On Saturday, we brought G'ma's ashes down to the beach. 

 S'mores and Jiffy Pop Popcorn at our beach fire.  The marshmallow roasting was great, the Jiffy Pop, not so much.  Char-pop was more like it.

My lovely family. 

Susie, Dini and I enjoying a cocktail on the beach next to the fire.

Susie, Mark, Kathy, Greg.  I am so blessed in the sibling department.

 Greg came over on Saturday so that we could say goodbye to mom.  I just know that my mom was watching down over all of us on that sunny beach and was enjoying every minute of it....her final adieu was exactly what I imagine she would have wanted.  All of the grand-kids got a balloon and they had a 'grandma' thought, then at the same time set them free.

Balloons are going up to find G'ma!

 Up, up, up they went together, until they were the tiniest of specks in the distance.

My mom would have loved the fact that each of her grand-kids took a little 'pinch' of her, and put it in the sand or the water.  It was a lovely way to get a little bit of closure on their hearts which miss her.

 Then the 4 of us Slater kids took a stroll down the beach to the same spot where we were with my dad's ashes, and did it again.

She's free.
We miss you, G'ma. We'll see you in the sand~or in the water~or in the breeze~wherever you may land around us.

We all decided that we're done with this little ritual, and it won't be welcomed back next year.

Camping at Clear Lake

 We had our first camping trip of the season at Clear Lake on Mt. Hood.  Lots of sunshine, refreshing water, and good times.  Our new 'boat'  had it's maiden voyage. 

 We  were also joined by our friends, The McMullens, for our annual camping trip together.  A big milestone this year was that all 4 boys slept together in their own tent.  It was hot, stinky, and they were pretty much on top of each other due to limited space.....but they loved it!

 The beach was filled with baby newts.  They were so cute, and the boys couldn't keep their hands off of them.  They would cluster together under rocks to get shade. They look like baby dinosaurs.

 Clear Lake.  Yes, the water was clear and refreshing. 

 Dinner the first night, by our very own Nate Moore.

Not the best quality of a photo, but I had to show how this boy eating  his spaghetti.  Nate made this batch all by himself...browned the meat, sliced the olives,opened cans, etc...The secret to his recipe is that he added 4 garlic cubes (compared to my recommended 3), and he added olives.  It was delish!

Family Vacation--Ko Olina!

 Aloha!  Last week we were on a wonderful vacation to Hawaii.  We stayed at the Marriott Ko' Olina Beach Club, and it was awesome!

 Lots of water time!  Snorkeling in the lagoons, swimming in the pools. 

 Family picture as we were heading into the Fia Fia Luau. 

 The highlight of the trip was swimming with the sea turtles!   They were amazing.

 With age comes independence.  Chris and Nate thought that it was really cool to be able to go to the clubhouse on the 3rd floor on their own, and cruise around the grounds without us. 

 This was a small and secluded beach where we found the turtles each morning.  My favorite place.

A sea turtle pops his head up as Dan is swimming with him. 

 Family shadow picture.

 Shave-ice poolside...each with 3 flavors!. 

 Beautiful, clear ocean water, and shells in the sand.  Paradise.

 'Lucky' the turtle sunning in the sand.

 Nate enjoying his 3rd piece of Guava cake at the luau.  Yum!

 Snorkeling!

Chief Sielu.  The ultimate coconut cracker and famous island man!

Playing ball in the pool!