Mom and Mel Take On California

This last week, my Mom, sister Melanie, and nieces and nephew came to visit for 7 days. They stayed with us for three days, then I headed out with them to Pleasanton for four days. My mom had some work training there, so Mel and I took the kids to Monterey, Santa Cruz, and Natural Bridges State Beach during the day.

Roseville pics: We spent a lot of time swimming while we were at our place. We enjoyed some BBQ, Pizza, puzzling, Jurassic Park, and lots of laughs and conversation.

On their way to see us! Andi the smurf!

Playing with Kena

Heading to the pool with McKinley

Watching Sophia with Andi

Introducing Grandma to Hulk

Pleasanton Pics: We spent each night in Pleasanton with my mom, but only spent half of Monday, and half of Friday exploring. And by exploring I mean at the mall.

Andi exploring the mall

eating at Cheesecake Factory

Cheesecake Factory

Poor Bella just wanted to watch the movie! Stinking rear facing carseat.

Of course we had to jump on the bed!

She took over my bed.

Monterey Pics: We spent a day in Monterey exploring the aquarium, eating delicious sea food, and checking out the beach. Bella loved the aquarium and kept saying "Whoa" at each tank. McKinley was such a good helper taking Bella up to see all the exhibits. I loved all the great little kid stops by all the major exhibits. They were the perfect little distractions to keep the kids going strong all day. We will definitely be going back to the aquarium with Daddy!

We saw a whale 5 minutes into our visit at the aquarium.

Santa Cruz Pics: We spent the day at Seabright State Beach. It was a nice beach, and not too crowded. The kids enjoyed digging for sand crabs and keeping them in buckets. Bella and Andi had fun digging in the sand. Bella even ran away from the waves with me. It was an overcast day, yet still warm. I thought it was perfect, but Mel's family thought it was a little chilly. The waves were huge this day and it was so fun to watch the well up, and crash to shore.

digging for sand crabs.

The friends that taught us how to catch sand crabs. The crabs we were finding were huge!

Our white trash chicken carving party!

Natural Bridges Pics: This beach was so pretty. It was nice and sunny, and the tide pools were awesome! We enjoyed looking for pincer crabs and touching anemones. The waves were huge again, but the did die down for a while so we could enjoy the tide pools. Bella loved playing in the little puddles, and walking all over the stone. Bella decided this day that she loved Easton (Beast). She just wanted him to hold her all the time. It was pretty cute. We found a purple sea slug that looked like a lived laying on the beach. McKinley's hands turned purple when she picked it up. Crazy!

Bella and the Beast.

It was so good to see our family! The way it could have been better is if Mom wasn't working and got to play with us the whole time. Miss you all already and can't wait to see you again!

A final goodbye!