For Memorial Day weekend, we got to get away to the coast, near Monterey. These little getaways have become more of an ordeal again, bringing a baby (& all the gear associated with one) along. We were happy for the chance to escape the heat though, and more importantly to meet up with some college friends who we get to see about once (or twice if we are lucky) a year. Since the friends we met up with are single without kids, it makes for some great group dynamics. Great, in that they dote on our kids, and we get a little break! Our kids always look forward to our weekends with A-Yi Ethel, Uncle Fred and Uncle Andrew. This year, we made a new friend, Ed, who joined us for the weekend & also took turns helping out with the kiddos.
We rented a house and enjoyed the gorgeous weather. We did a lot of eating out & drinking wine (two staples when we all get together...they are from the big city, and I always learn about the latest on the food scene from them.
The first day there we went for a long walk in Monterey, down by the aquarium and did some window shopping. The second day we drove past Carmel to Point Lobos, where none of us had ever been. A state park, along the coastline, and it was gorgeous. I'm sure that there was some great hiking to be had there, but with the two little kids, I stayed behind and chatted with Uncle Andrew on the beach. Papa and Nia threw rocks into the ocean, and our son went on with the adults to do a short hike. His highlight was also throwing rocks, trying to knock down his rock tower. What a boy.
We browsed around Carmel later that day, after yummy Vietnamese food. After visiting the Carmel Mission (my first time to visit this one!) we headed back down towards the beach. The kids had fun climbing on a tree and making sand angels. When we got back to the vacation home, the kids hit the hay and we adults stayed up late, talking into the night about life, dating and turning 40. It's so great to be with people who there is so much history with. We were all sad on Monday when we had to say goodbye.
Here's to more getaway weekends with our buddies. We love and miss you guys.
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| This weekend was the first time for everyone to meet the newest addition to our family! |
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| A-Yi and Jackson ended up being roommates on this trip...they always have a lot of fun together. They wrote back and forth in a journal all weekend...in Spanish! She wants him to teach her. |
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| All of us at a pizzeria, enjoying dinner |
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| Little Miss enjoying a stroller ride along the beach |
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| Kisses for Sho-Be |
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| The coast at Point Lobos |
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| Throwing rocks at my son's rock tower to try and knock it down |
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| The hikers |
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| The beach bums |
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| Kickin' it on the sand |
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| Scrambling on the rocks |
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Mission San Carlos Borromeo de Carmelo
The 2nd Mission established in California by Father Serra |
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In the chapel
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| Father Serra's resting place |
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| What the kitchen might have looked like a few hundred years ago |
Sometimes the best part of these trips is also that it brings our family closer together. We were thankful that our kids traveled so well & that they enjoy being together.
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