The River + The Beach

  

1/26

I love how every trip to the beach is different in a good way.

(same goes for every Disneyland trip)

This trip to Carmel River State Beach was great because there were huge king tides.

There was a river with no tides.

We saw dolphins.

And there was a trail just above the beach with amazing views.

The only not good part was that FREEZING river water gave Benjamin a little shock when he fell in.

Garrapata

My mom called Wednesday afternoon, after Derek and Loren had left, to ask if I'd seen the picture on the inside cover of the new February Ensign. My dad had recognized the spot from our pictures and wanted to see if it was the same place. Most definitely WAS the same place! So awesome.

Took Sally back yesterday because it's the best, the weather was perfect, and the boys just wanted to hang out with friends at home. 

The waves were amazing.

 Don't worry, she didn't pick those flowers.

Was just happy to find them left behind by someone else who did the dirty work.

Der Der + Lo Lo

 Derek and Loren spent the last half of their "babymoon" (before Henry is born) here last week.

We met at Big Basin State Park to find some redwoods.

It was so pretty.

But it's hard to top Northern California in the redwoods department.

So for me, this trip was all about the mushrooms.

Ok, some trees, too.

On our way home we went to the Penny Ice Creamery in Santa Cruz.

You're looking at the best fresh mint 'n chip ice cream ever.

Topped with salted caramel chocolate.

In a home-made waffle cone.

And toasted marshmallow fluff on top.

1/19 - MLK Day

Kids had to go back to school the next day.

(and I wasn't complaining - Justin was doing reserves at Camp Pendleton and they had been pretty crazy).

 We had the best day at Bixby Bridge, Garrapata, Point Lobos, and Tommy's Wok. 

 1/20

Bixby Bridge in Big Sur.

This place isn't ugly.

 Wild calla lilies, and extra muddy mud, at Garrapata.

After school, we put off homework and went to the Lover's Point tide pools.

 Abalone!

Derek pried that sucker off a rock.

So hideous and awesome at the same time.

Can't believe people love to eat those.

Loren found a great abalone shell, too.

We never find either of those ourselves.

1/20

Before Derek and Loren left to catch their flight, we had to go to the aquarium.

(picture credit goes to Loren)

1/21

At first I questioned Derek and Loren spending part of their kid-free trip in our house full of kids.

But I'm glad they did.

We got fun visitors and they got to see this pretty, pretty place.

(and after our mad house, they'll probably appreciate their quiet house with little Jackson even more)

In January

 1/10

Not even sure what this setup is about, but they were out there for hours.

 1/14

Drew was teaching Auggie how to pray before school.

1/16

This was on one of my work days and literally seconds after Justin walked out the door for school.

He likes to pour his own milk.

 1/17

Saturday morning cartoons and wrestling.

 1/17

Tide pools and a beach tea party with Mr. Potato Head glasses.

This January has had the best weather.

 1/18

1/23

Owen and Drew take the trash out to the curb for pick up every week.

Only this last week, Drew somehow got confused and brought back the FULL can Owen had just taken out. Mind boggling.

Auggie has a full week of trash stomping ahead.

1/24

We both needed a nap yesterday and so we took one! Together.