The Trip Pics (at long last)

Ok, so here they finally are. Here's a waterfall just east of Portland, easy access and pretty cool. Maeve seemed more interested in the other people than the actual waterfall, though.

Matt and Ahna took us clamming in Newport, showing off their professional prowess and expertise. I was amazed at how hard it is to walk in the mud flats, especially when the tide is rumbling behind you, and your husband has gone in to shore already with your daughter, and your brother is football fields away, and you find yourself stuck knee-deep in the mud, water filling up your boots, and nobody noticing. Luckily, I made it.

Maeve loved Newport, and mostly the ocean. It was freezing! But she acted like it was just a big bathtub, gradually submerging more and more of her clothed body, until she just plain laid down in the water and let a wave wash over her. Here she is following Uncle Matt to the water.

And here's mom trying to explain that it's cold and we need to get out.

Meanwhile, dad thought it was funny. We had a terrific time on Agate beach. It's so majestic with the cliffs plunging into the ocean. Wow.

See what we mean?

Just to really make us look like Midwesterners, Uncle Matt reached behind a rock and pulled out a starfish of all things! We oohed and ahhhed, and got some great pictures of Maeve as future marine biologist.

She also showed off some new sharing skills, albeit with Okra the dog.

At the end of the day in Newport, we were exhausted and full with great food and lots of sun. Thanks Matt and Ahna for all the fun that week.

Another highlight of our trip home was stopping to see Aunt Beth and Uncle Pete and the cousins in Colorado. Unfortunately, the camera died, so we only have these two pictures. First, the irony of Maeve getting out of the car to sit in the Cozy Coupe. A true road trip girl.

And second, the awesome Colorado summer on the porch with Uncle Pete and Elizabeth. The good news is, we hear they have a lot of great pictures of our time there, and we can't wait to see them. Until then, we'll have to go by memory.