Monterey/Carmel

On our trip to Monterey we stopped by the aquarium of course.  I actually did not think that our little guy would enjoy it that much since he never has much patience for the zoo, but he looooved it.  His favorite exhibit (and ours too!) was the jellyfish, but he liked watching the penguin feeding and the seahorses as well.  I think the Monterey Bay Aquarium is much nicer than the one in Boston which is my only other comparison point...but Boston's Museum of Science is hands down the best science museum ever.  If you are a resident of Monterey county you can get free passes to the aquarium through the library, and if you are local I think it is worth it to get a family membership since it pays for itself  if you go to the aquarium at least twice.  Otherwise tickets are $33 for an adult and $20 for children older than three.   Metered street parking is easy to find.

 

The jellyfish!

Seahorse Exhibit.

At the coloring station.

Laying down to watch the sardines swim around and around.

It's an Ethan dolphin!

After an seafood lunch we headed over to the Denise the Menace park.  It was pretty awesome.  The kids just ran around for over an hour trying all the different things to do - bridges, rock walls, a hedge maze, a million different types of slides, tunnels, you name it this, playground had it.  And it is free!  Just FYI, park is closed on Tuesdays and does not open until 10 AM on the other days.

Denise the Menace.

Entrance to the park.

Lots of trees to climb on.

And play structures to explore.

Bridge to climb up.

So many different slides - rolling, twisty, and winding ones to try out.

The Thais.

Carmel:

We also went to Carmel beach, which has the softest sand and overlooked the Pebble Beach golf course.  The beach is dog friendly, family friendly and bbq friendly.  We went late in the afternoon both days so parking at the beach was easy to find.

Pretty views!

Getting buried in the soft sand.

The Zhangs.  Cameron kept falling down on purpose because the sand was so soft.

Dipping toes in the water.

Ethan's favorite activity was to make sand angels.

Roaring Camp Railroads

Over Easter weekend we stayed overnight in Monterey. On the way down, we stopped in Felton to take a train ride through the redwood forest. The train was pulled by a 19th century steam engine (and as Ethan was quick to point out, it had actual connecting rods on the wheels!)which brought us to the summit of Bear Mountain. Since we went on Easter, the train stopped at the top so we could meet the Easter bunny and hunt for eggs (the egg hunt was divided into two age groups, those above and under three years old). If you get there early enough you can watch them pour the water into the train and watch the steam bellow out before it leaves.

The base camp is a recreation of a old logging camp and contains a shops for souvenirs and food. The day we went they had Easter craft activities and a bounce house set up for the kids. Ethan had fun, and I thought it was nice to experience, although quite expensive. Tickets were $24 for adults, $17 for children older than 2, and there was a $8 parking fee on top of it all.  It was fun to do once, and if we go next time, I would definitely make some time to go hiking through the forest.

The entrance to the camp.

Running to catch the train.

Rare family photo!

The kids clowning around.

Aww!

Finally aboard the train!

The pretty view of the redwood trees as we drove up the mountain.

We got to meet the Easter bunny!

And one of the train conductors (although E was much more interested in eating his chocolate egg)!

Excited to see the engine up close.

Scrunchies on the train.

A brief stroll on the tracks.

An EPA Reunion

Once upon a time we all lived together in a little house in EPA.  We started as roommates but soon became close friends.  In that house we laughed, met our future husbands, and made a million memories in just a few short years.  We have attended each others weddings, moved away (and came back) and now we all have kids of our own.  Last weekend, we finally had a reunion where all of our children could meet each other first time.

Then:

 

Now: