Something I listed on my Bucket List in January was to “go on a vacation or camping with all our kids.” Well, just a few short weeks later, they told us they were planning a surprise 3-day getaway for hubby and I with them. They let us pick a weekend and that’s as much as we were allowed to know. I love surprises!!! There’s been so much anticipation the last five months, but finally the big day arrived!
Last weekend was the date we all agreed on. Our son and daughter-in-law picked us up early Friday morning and drove us to meet our daughter and son-in-law in Lincoln City, Oregon. We narrowed down the possibilities the closer we got, and finally got confirmation we had correctly guessed it. They’d rented a house near the beach and even planned/shopped for meals.
Beautiful day at the beach!
“Hidden Cove”
Upon arrival, we were banned from the kitchen as they chopped fruit and veggies for snacking. Then we walked to the beach, where our adorable grandpuppy Jessie frolicked and thoroughly entertained us.
Michelle and Chad making Snacks
Jessie exploring a hole
Jessie got worn out!
Doug and I enjoying the beach!
Brrr …that water was freezing!
David & Kayla loving the beach!
The kids took turns making meals and doing the dishes. Doug and I figured out pretty quickly how much we enjoyed getting spoiled by our awesome kids!!
David & Kayla relaxed, too!
I did help on pizza night… Michelle was a bit nervous as I tried my ‘hand’ at twirling pizza crust dough!
Whoop whoop! This is how you make pizza crust!
Have you ever had pizza on the BBQ? That was a new experience for us! It’s fun, fast, and you don’t have to heat up the kitchen!
Pizza on the BBQ
Finished Product!
I’ve never gone on a trip with my kids and not be the one who planned at least part of the trip. It was a wonderful treat! We told them we could sure get used to it, and our daughter-in-law commented “Maybe we’ve set the bar too high now!”
The Gang!
Jessie even dressed up for us!
Keeping my fingers crossed for one more Bucket List item on the tentative agenda for 2013…
How about you? Have you checked anything off your list yet? Or gone on vacation this summer?
inspired2ignite 
Jun 28, 2013 @ 19:38:55
No bucket list items this summer, but I have taken a Colorado road trip.
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Jun 29, 2013 @ 07:57:39
Colorado is beautiful!
Hubby and I have talked of taking a road trip on the motorcycles out your way. It would be a blast!
Thanks for stopping by!
Have a great summer!!
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Jun 26, 2013 @ 16:52:46
It sounds like you had a fantastic vacation with the family. And that’s awfully hard to beat.
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Jun 27, 2013 @ 10:52:45
We sure did!
Family time is totally the very best!!
Thanks!
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Jun 25, 2013 @ 17:18:03
Wow! Well deserved. Good for you!
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Jun 26, 2013 @ 08:02:12
Thanks, Susanna!
How lucky am I? 😉
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Jun 25, 2013 @ 12:50:02
Sounds like a great time. I love your pictures. Thanks for sharing.
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Jun 25, 2013 @ 17:13:11
Thanks, Kathy. We had such a fun time together. 🙂
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Jun 24, 2013 @ 21:17:12
What wonderful children you have! 🙂
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Jun 24, 2013 @ 22:58:01
Thanks, Chere!
I would tend to agree!! 😉
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Jun 24, 2013 @ 21:16:33
This is so cool! I need to make a bucket list! So glad you had such a wonderful time with your kids – what a blessing!
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Jun 24, 2013 @ 22:56:54
Thanks, Laura!! It was great fun! I am very blessed!
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Jun 24, 2013 @ 20:32:09
What a fabulous time, Denise! I might add a holiday with you children to my bucket list, they’re fantastic! 😀
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Jun 24, 2013 @ 22:55:58
Now their heads might swell if I tell them that!!! 😉
They would likely show you a good time though!
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Jun 24, 2013 @ 16:38:56
Oh, these pictures and your telling of adventures is wonderful. I can’t wait to go on vaca with my family next year. Don’t know where it’s going to be, but it’s gonna be summer weather, shorts weather, bbqing, and swimming and such!
Good for you Denise!
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Jun 24, 2013 @ 22:54:12
Ooh the anticipation is half the fun Karen!
I am excited to hear where you decide!
Glad you enjoyed my Pix…it sure was an awesome time!
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Jun 24, 2013 @ 15:32:52
Sounds like a great time! I love that your kids pampered you and your husband. Looks like you did a great job with them!!! (Note to self: be more thoughtful to my parents! Take them on vacation!) 🙂
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Jun 24, 2013 @ 22:51:36
Thanks, Arlene!! I bet you’d plan a fantastic vacation!!
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Jun 24, 2013 @ 11:53:16
Sigh…your family is lovely, what a great surprise.I stayed at Lincoln Beach a year ago and it was heavenly. Thanks for sharing!!!!
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Jun 24, 2013 @ 22:47:51
Thanks, Marsella!
I am a teeny weeny bit biased but I think they’re wonderful too!
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Jun 24, 2013 @ 06:11:27
Oh, what fun! I’ll bet links to this will be sent to lots of sons and daughters!
It amazes me how different our bucket lists can be. Our children took their first camping trips at 6 weeks old…didn’t plan it that way, just worked out. We’ve taken zillions together but not one since they grew up. I guess maybe we should add that to our list. Thanks for a wonderful idea.
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Jun 24, 2013 @ 06:37:22
😉 There have been a few people saying they were going to share with their kids!! I hope they enjoy it as much as we did!
Our kids were about 6 months old for their first camping trips. We sure put some miles on the tent and enjoyed many camping trips over the years!
Thanks, Esther!
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Jun 24, 2013 @ 04:12:43
Looks like you had a great weekend.
Must feel proud of yourself having raised children who are considerate enough to repay some of the hard work you put in to making them happy. They obviously appreciate how lucky they are.
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Jun 24, 2013 @ 06:34:36
We had a great time, Steven! Thank you!
I am very blessed by these amazing kids!! They continually make me proud and grateful.
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Jun 23, 2013 @ 23:40:32
Well, it’s now winter for me and for our summer we didn’t go anywhere special but last year we did. It a fantastic trip in June/July to visit my family in the states. The last leg was terrific because we spent a week in Maui. Unbelieveable! I loved it!
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Jun 24, 2013 @ 06:32:53
Maui is beautiful! I’m so glad you got to enjoy time with your family there! This would be a good time of year for you to reminisce about warm weather 😉
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Jun 24, 2013 @ 14:47:05
It was really was a great time. We are always trying to plan trips back to the states during our winter and your summer.
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Jun 24, 2013 @ 22:50:09
I’d love to come see your neck of the woods during our winter;-)
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Jun 24, 2013 @ 22:51:29
You’ll love it! 🙂 a hot Christmas
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Jun 23, 2013 @ 22:27:23
This is awesome Denise! I am thrilled for you. Great kids and you are so loved
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Jun 24, 2013 @ 06:31:32
Thanks, Sheri!
I am a little biased, but yes they are great kids!! 😉
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Jun 23, 2013 @ 21:43:53
Oh I love this post! How exciting! And I’m going to share this with my kids. Although only one is grown up, it just means they’ve got plenty of time to plan. What a wonderful thing to do as a family 🙂
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Jun 24, 2013 @ 06:30:58
It was great Susannah! Something for you to look forward to!
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Jun 23, 2013 @ 21:28:14
How lovely! And well deserved, too.
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Jun 24, 2013 @ 06:30:24
Thanks!! It was lovely!
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