Beach Week

In July, we got together with Paul's side of the family at Sunset Beach in Watsonville.  Unfortunately, Ben, Emily, Shayna and Eric were unable to join us for the trip. My husband, Paul, only made it to about half of the last day of the trip. He had to work and then had to finish his finals for school. We really missed those that weren't there but also had a lot of fun with those that were able to make it. The cousins were all together and they seemed to have a blast. We spent the first day at Sunset Beach behind the beach house we stayed at. The second day we spent at Carmel Beach, San Carlos Borromeo de Carmelo Mission and finished the day at Point Lobos State Reserve where we visited some tide pools and went on the most beautiful hike. The third day of the trip we spent in Monterrey at The Dennis the Menace Park and Monterey Aquarium. The fourth day my sister arrived from New York and we spent the day at Sunset Beach again. Paul joined us for the latter half of the day after he finished up his finals. We left that night to go pick up my parents from the San Francisco Airport. They arrived from Michigan. The next morning we all got together in San Jose for Zoey's Baby Blessing. It was great to have everyone together. My mom and Paul's mom met Zoey right after I had her but it was everyone else's first time meeting her. Thank you everyone for such a great week!

Paige with Kristen at Sunset Beach

Sunset Beach

Paige and Jane at Sunset Beach

Of course, on the second day, Paul got hurt. He was running down the stairs and hit his head on the side of a door. He had a goose egg on top of his head the size of a golf ball (no exaggeration whatsoever). It was huge and it was really painful for him. Luckily, Peggy had some Redmond Clay that she put on it to help it heal faster. It actually seemed to take the pain away immediately. We put a bandage on his head and he went out to the beach. Redmond Clay. Check it out. It also works nice as a facial. 

Paul at Carmel with his bandage. He never lets an injury slow him down.

Paul again at Carmel.

Paul and Paige walking to the candy store in Carmel.

In front of a cute candy store called Cottage of Sweets. 

Paul with dried clay on his head :)  After observing his head in a mirror for the first time at the Mission, Peggy asked him how his head was doing.  He said it was feeling "itchy and white". He got lots of looks at the Mission. I guess people haven't seen a kid walking around with dried clay on their head. 

Paige taking a rest at the Mission.

Paige at the Mission.

All the cousins. It's getting harder and harder to photograph these kids together. 

Hike at Point Lobos State Reserve. It was beautiful.

Hike at Point Lobos. 

Fun slide at Dennis the Menace Park in Monterey.

Monterey Bay Aquarium

Monterey Bay Aquarium

Throwing sand at Sunset Beach

Chasing the waves.

Paige at Sunset Beach

Paul with Aunt EJ

No feet

Paul and Jane waist deep in the sand

More kids in the sand.

Paul has no body

Dad made it to the beach!

Memorial Day Weekend and Fireworks

For Memorial Day Weekend we decided to go up to San Francisco and Napa Valley to check things out before my parents come in July. We spent the first day in San Francisco. Paul and I have both been to San Francisco about 5 or 6 times each but have never been the ones to act as tour guide. I really love the city and think it's one of the prettiest cities I've been to. However, I don't find it to be very kid friendly. I guess I don't know the city well enough and the best ways to get around. We started out in Union Square and took the cable car to Chinatown. From there we walked to Washington Square, Coit Tower, Fisherman's Wharf, Pier 39 and then took the Cable Cars back to Union Square. It was so much walking up and down hills. The beginning of the day was a lot of fun but we started hating life towards the end of the day just from exhaustion. We didn't take a stroller which was a big mistake but also pushing a stroller up a hill is not that easy either. I carried Zoey in the Bjorn, Paul carried Paige and we thought Little Paul would walk. However, he got tired and Paul carried both Paige and Paul most of the time. Next time we are going to cab it! I think I know what to do and what not to do when my parents come to visit. Paul will be working so it will just be me giving the tour of SF. Hope it goes well!

The heart at Union Square

Cable Car Ride

Taking a break in Chinatown

Egg Tart Pastry in Chinatown

Enjoying the views from Coit Tower

The next day we went to Napa Valley. It was the first visit for both Paul and I. Napa is a beautiful couples' getaway. We didn't see very many kids there and then we showed up with 2 toddlers and a new baby...not so romantic. Luckily, our kids were very well behaved and actually got a lot of attention. There were 2 wineries I found that accepted kids. We went to Sterling Vineyards because they have an arial tram that takes you to the winery which is set on a hill. The views from the top were amazing and the kids loved the tram ride. The other kid-friendly winery is a recreation of a Tuscan Castle. We drove by the castle and it is pretty magnificent. I think we will tour that one when my parents are visiting. 

Paige on the winery tour. 

The kids learning about winemaking (every parent's dream) :)

The views from the top.

The kids got juice boxes at the end of the tour. 

The tram ride back down. They only allowed up to 4 people in one tram so Zoey and I had to ride in a separate tram. I still argue that a 2-month-old barely counts as a 5th person but no biggie. Zoey and I enjoyed our ride down.

I guess I enjoyed the ride down. Zoey was passed out.

Waiting for dad at the visitor's center.

We also visited the Petrified Forest while we were in Napa. It was pretty interesting learning about petrified wood. The kids loved running around in the forest.

Petrified Forest

Proof that Zoey was with us on this trip

Petrified Wood

More petrified wood

Even more petrified wood

The 4th of the July was pretty mellow this year. Our neighbors across the street had a pool party and fireworks show at their house so we joined in on the fun. Paige was pooped so she was asleep for the fireworks but Paul and Zoey didn't want to miss out on the action.

Paul loved the sparklers

Fireworks!

Enjoying the fireworks