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Todd’s 1st Visit to Ocean Shores – August 10, 2017
BEACH BOUND – AUGUST 2017
This post is all about Todd’s first trip to Ocean Shores, WA. We visited Eric’s parents, his brother Jeff, brother Darren, and our sister-in-law, Sandie. Here’s a day-by-day summary!
THURSDAY, AUGUST 10
On our way to Ocean Shores, we stopped at the gas station in North Bend where they filmed scenes from the movie, The Vanishing. We love that movie!
Filming location for The Vanishing
Filming location for The Vanishing
Next, we had lunch at King Solomon’s Reef, a restaurant in Olympia that has vegan options. Eric and I had the Buffalo Tempeh sandwich, and I ordered a piece of vegan blueberry pie. As expected, Todd didn’t want more than a nibble from our food.
Buffalo tempeh sandwich
Blueberry pie (vegan)
After arriving at Eric’s parents house, Todd was excited about getting his first set of ‘big boy Legos’ from Grammie (Eric’s mom). After playing and getting settled, we headed to the beach. At first, Todd played in the sand with his Tonka truck, but then he was drawn to the water. He loved putting his feet in the waves (holding my hand), then running away from them. He doesn’t mind cold water a bit. He kept saying he wanted to do it again!
Ocean Shores – August 10, 2017
August 10, 2017
August 10, 2017
August 10, 2017
FRIDAY, AUGUST 11
Todd went to the beach via wagon! The beach is walking distance from the house.
Wagon ride – August 11, 2017
Eric & Todd – August 11, 2017
August 11, 2017
August 11, 2017
Elisa & Todd – August 11, 2017
To give Todd some darkness (in a pretty bright room) for his afternoon naps, I made him a ‘cozy tent,’ which he loved. He was so tired (from not having a nap the day before) that he slept until 6 PM.
Todd’s “cozy tent” – August 11, 2017
Coaxing him to wake up by removing the tent at 6 PM – August 11, 2017
SATURDAY, AUGUST 12
In Grammie’s house, Todd liked removing every piece of furniture from the dollhouse. He wanted to take the pieces downstairs, so we tried to redirect him as much as possible!
Playing with Grammie’s dollhouse – August 12, 2017
Outside, we cruised up and down the street on wheels: Todd on Globber scooter, me on Razor scooter, and Eric on skateboard.
Todd on Globber scooter – August 12, 2017
At North Bay park, Todd did what he likes doing the best (at playgrounds)…swinging! The whole crew (except Sandie) was there to watch him: Grammie, Granddad, Jeff, and Darren. Todd he wanted his uncle Jeff to sit next to him in the car.
North Beach Park – August 12, 2017
After his nap, we had dinner at Las Maracas with Granddad and Grammie.
Granddad & Grammie at Las Maracas – August 12, 2017
SUNDAY, AUGUST 13
Grammie’s wagon – August 13, 2017
We had a really good time at the beach at Damon Point, and Jeff came with us. We got our feet wet in the waves, scooped sand, and flew a kite.
Damon Point – August 13, 2017
See the kite? – August 13, 2017
Sandy boy – August 13, 2017
After the beach, we went to Viet Hoa for lunch with Grammie, Granddad, and Jeff. Todd, the puddle jumper, found a major puddle!
While Todd napped, first Eric walked down to the beach, then I walked there.
After Todd woke up from his nap, we went outside together, and Todd loved walking inside a house under construction.
MONDAY, AUGUST 14
We went back to Damon Point beach for a second time. We built a sand castle with a moat.
Jeff & Eric – August 14, 2017
Todd at Damon Point – August 14, 2017
Todd & Eric – August 14, 2017
Grammie showed up, too!
Grammie & Todd – August 14, 2017
Grammie & Todd – August 14, 2017
Jeff, Grammie & Todd – August 14, 2017
After playing at the beach, we drove to Pacific Beach for pizza. At Frontager’s Pizza, you can watch them make your pizza, and see it in the big oven. They have vegan cheese (Daiya)! The toppings were fresh and flavorful: heirloom tomatoes, fresh (not canned) pineapple, leek, and basil leaves. As usual, Todd ate only the crust.
Frontager’s Pizza – August 14, 2017
August 14, 2017
August 14, 2017
August 14, 2017
Outside, Todd was drawn to the construction site…
Construction equipment at Seabrook – August 14, 2017
August 14, 2017
August 14, 2017
Sleepy boy – August 14, 2017
After Todd took a carseat nap during the drive from Pacific Beach to Ocean Shores, we went over to Darren and Sandie’s house for a visit. Since Sandie is a musician, Todd played the drums…
August 14, 2017
Darren and Sandie have 2 dogs, Chuck and Stella. They are really nice, but fast-moving and big for a 2 year old! At first, Stella really scared Todd when she excitedly came over to lick him. After I “kept him safe,” and the dogs spent some time outside, Todd warmed back up to the dogs and teased them by running to the sliding door. Then, he got a kick out of Stella coming over for licks. It ended up being fun and funny for him.
August 14, 2017
Funny picture of Stella! – August 14, 2017
TUESDAY, AUGUST 15
We had to go home on Tuesday, although all three of us wanted to stay longer! It was a pretty special time for everyone. Todd gave and received a lot of love! On the way home, we stopped for lunch at Thuy Pho in Tacoma for some vegetarian pho, then Todd napped in the car.
Todd & Granddad – August 14, 2017
August 14, 2017
Playing with his big boy Legos…
Todd & Jeff – August 15, 2017
Car nap – August 15, 2017
Elk Lake, with South Sister in the background
Last weekend, we enjoyed another visit with my family in Bend, Oregon. On Saturday, June 20th, we spent the day at Elk Lake. The lake is located just a few miles past the Mt Bachelor ski area, so it took less than an hour to drive there.
We found a shady spot under a tree and set up chairs and such.
Todd wears his new sun hat ($1 at Value Village)
Todd & Elisa
My aunt Ginny (Todd’s great aunt, from Texas) was with us, too. She took this picture that she called “Todd’s Selfie.”
“Todd’s selfie” (picture taken by Todd’s great aunt Ginny)
My nephew and niece (Todd’s cousins) took their inflatable boat out for a while.
Eli & Ashley
My parents started doing stand up paddleboarding a few years ago while vacationing in Kauai. Now they do it at home, too. Here’s my mom with one of their boards.
Carol Ann with the paddle board
Todd seemed eager to do something other than hanging out in the inflatable inner tube.
Todd
Here’s a short movie showing how the place looks, in a partial panorama.
Ashley took Todd for a walk to water’s edge.
Ashley & Todd
Ashley & Todd
Who did this in what movie? (I can’t recall.)
Eli
Here are my active parents out on their paddleboards.
Carol Ann & Richard
Ashley works her balance.
Ashley
Eric got out on a paddleboard for his first time.
Eric
Ashley and my dad were out there with him.
Eric, Ashley & Richard
I hung out on the blanket with my buddy. When Todd wasn’t trying to feel and taste the sticks, pine needles and such, he had some “formula milk.”
Todd & Elisa
My mom took Ginny out for a ride on the paddleboard. They’re sisters.
Carol Ann & Ginny
Carol Ann & Ginny
Then I tried stand up paddleboarding for the first time. It was fun! I went out with Karin. We’re sisters, too.
Elisa
Karin
Elisa & Karin
Finally– Todd got on a paddleboard for the first time. He went out for a short ride with his uncle. He also checked out the lake water. Jason said that the faster the board moved, the more excited Todd got. (Sounds like him– he’s a guy who needs to be moving!)
Todd
Todd & Jason
Todd & Jason
I’d say we all had a good time!
Ashley
Richard
Eric & Todd
Freeheel Vegan 