Monterey Photo Shoot...take two

After our first day at the aquarium, we headed back to the house so the boys could nap.  Jonah took a stellar nap...Bubs on the other hand...well...he did not.

We wanted to take advantage of the fantastic old wall across the street from the house and have another photo shoot.  Jonah was a happy little camper and had so much fun...Bubs on the other hand...well...he did not. 

Jonah posed so nicely for some fun photos...Bubs on the other hand...well...he did not.

How could you not love this adorable little face?!?

Sneakin' a peak.

 

Being silly on the sidewalk.

 Any taxis coming...

This is the best we got of Mr. Man.

Bubs and his Mama.

Monterey Beach Picnic

Once we arrived in Monterey, we headed straight over to the house.  The boys got to get out of the car and roam around a bit.   

Jonah liked peaking around the gate. 

We then all piled into the car and stopped at a deli to grab a quick picnic lunch.  What an experience that was...the owner of the deli put the Soup Nazi to shame.  We did survive, however, and were on our way to find the perfect picnic spot on the beach.

While it was a bit of a challenge to find a nice spot, it was so amazing to sit {or stand} and look out over God's beautiful creation.

Noah and Jonah had so much fun climbing all over the rocks.  Jonah was a confident little climber who scaled the boulders with the best of them.  Mr. Man, on the other hand, was rightfully much more timid.

 

He wanted so badly to follow his cousin but didn't have the core strength to go as fast or as far.

Perhaps I'm just a bit too protective, but after his second face plant off the rocks and into the sand, I quickly became the dreaded "Helicopter Mama".

Pop-Ro found a super cool piece of sea weed that Bubs carried around with him for a while.  Jonah thought that Noah should share with him and  a game of tug-of-war was quickly begun.

Those two boys are just so funny together.

Aquarium Interview

Once we returned home from Monterey, all Bubs could talk about was the aquarium.  Every time we went to the car he would ask if we were driving to the aquarium. 

Here's one of the many conversations we have had about the aquarium...don't mind the crooked glasses.

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

 

Family Christmas

Our Christmas Holiday was gloriously busy.  Kc's family came to our house on Christmas Eve.  We had a lovely dinner and then Bubs got to the serious business of unwrapping gifts.  He truly got into it and had so much fun.

He got some great gifts!

 

 Not only did Uncle Scott give Mr. Man a cool noise maker, but also a fun lion hat.

Noise makers are so much fun!

Christmas morning, we got up early and were overjoyed by the gifts that Santa left.

 

Noah ran out of his room and immediately headed towards his stocking. 

 

Santa knew about Mr. Man's love of Finding Nemo and brought the largest Squirt turtle ever

as well as small versions of most of the characters from the movie.

Bubs was in LOVE!  He was so cute and introduced all the animals to each other. 

 

We headed over to my parent's house and finished off our Christmas celebrations there.  Doesn't Noah look simply adorable?!?

Squirt Turtle insisted on going everywhere with Bubs.

After a yummy brunch the fishy gifts kept on coming.

 

Mr. Man had such a great time opening gifts...not only his...but mine as well.

 

I think the best gift of the day was from Uncle Adam and Auntie Mel.

 

Bubs got his own Sonicare Toothbrush.

 

 We took the customary family photo in front of the fireplace.

What a blessed few days full of fun and family.

* Photos curtsey of Andrew Smith and Kc Jackson*