Monterey Bay Aquarium...finally

The day after Christmas, the North Carolina Smiths, Nana and Pop-Ro, and the Jacksons all got on the road and headed to Monterey for a few days.  Thanks again to our wonderful friends, we were able to stay in their lovely vacation home.

Ever since our last trip to the aquarium Bubs has been asking to go again.  We kept telling him that as soon as Jonah was here we would go back to the aquarium.

Well...that day finally arrived!

I made sure to bring the sea animals that Noah got for Christmas...they were definitely necessary.  Every time Bubs saw a different animal, whether it be a shark, an octopus, a stingray, a whale, a fish, a turtle, or a starfish, he just had to have the toy animal in his hand.

We were fortunate enough to go two days in a row.  On the second day, we headed over early {one of the perks of being a member} and got to see the tanks being cleaned by scuba divers.  Noah got such a kick out of seeing the divers swim around.  They were so sweet and even came over to say "HI" to Mr. Man.

Noah and Jonah were so cute together.  They just loved staring at all the fish. 

 

The jelly fish were particularly enthralling.

 

Bubs also got a kick out of the sea horses...especially the video {yes, video} of sea horses swimming around.  Why look at the real thing when you can see them super sized?

And the touch pools...well...how can you not LOVE splashing around in the water and trying to touch a stingray?!?

 

The starfish, however, were much easier to touch.

Once again, the tidal pools were definitely a favorite!  

 

And this was what my Little Man looked like when we were leaving.  Poor guy...he would just LOVE to live at the aquarium.

The sea, once it casts its spell, holds one in its net of wonder forever.

Jacques Cousteau