Santa Cruz and cool weather

We took a trip to Santa Cruz this past weekend for a little escape from the heat. We kicked off the weekend at The Boardwalk, it was great and so kid friendly. With Austin you never know what he will enjoy so this was a crap shoot and it paid off in full! He LOVED it! He was so cool as a wanna-be truck driver.Ms. Morgan and I watching her crazy brother.Aust loved the boats and didn't mind sharing with another little boy.This is what two nap-less kids look like after a 5 hour drive and a full day at The Boardwalk.This is Xitloli and Morgan enjoying a little breakfast. They are a day apart and it is going to be fun watching them grow up together!

Morgan has adopted her brothers passion for four wheeled vehiclesDay Two we headed out to the Monterey Bay Aquarium. Both kids enjoyed the aquarium and it was great how interactive it was for ALL ages. Adrian and the kids overlooking Monterey BayMorgan learning about waves on a circular waterbed looking thing. She loved it!

Since we had a little extra time on our way home we cruised through Casa de Fruta and we may have even stumbled across the chocolate covered strawberries...

Oceanside 2009

Well, after 57 loads of laundry, sifting through over 200 pictures taken, and two days of recovery since the beach the blog is officially updated. We took our annual pilgrimage to Southern California, but we went Old School this year. We went back to the same beach house in Oceanside, CA that we went to as kids, it was super cool and the kids had a BLAST!! I think the adults might have had a pretty good time too.

Patrick kicked off the week by taking they mystery out of the ocean for Austin. In my book Patrick holds super hero status for Uncles because I think had we tried it we would have seen a lot more tears.Doesn't Austin look like a changed man after a day with the "big boys"?

Every night Austin helped take down the flagAnd every morning Austin helped put the flag up. Since he was usually the first one awake we were on the job pretty early. A few morning I think we may even have beaten the Marines down the road.Morgan got her share of beach time too, I really think she is holding out until next year to get down and dirty though. By the time Adrian arrived (Tuesday) Austin was an ANIMAL in the water, it was great!


Austin was chasing squirrels in the rocks...Doesn't the squirrel look terrified?
Morgan and her Dad. She figured out real quick who the suckers of the family are!

Dad and Mowg-Z

Pappa J enjoying the view


Dinner with an ocean view. Does it get much better?

Don't worry, we didn't leave Adrian in charge of the BBQ too long. Once the coals were hot we put Pappa J in charge.

There was an intense game of beach volleyball. Most of the beach-goers on the beach below us were more than ready for us to be done with our game. One lady even told us we needed to work on our ball control.

A rare moment of Austin sharing his gold fish. I figure I had better document this because I don't know when it might happen again.

No, Austin. You are taking notes from the wrong guy!!

The beach and ocean make for great pre-nap activities

Uncle PBJ took a shot at surfing...not too bad for a rookie!

Patrick and his friend bringing it in for the night.

Do you notice that when ever there is an adult and Morgan in the same picture she is being held? Coincidence....I think not!!

Look Mom, I have five new teeeth and I love the beach!! Thanks for a great week!