Getting Caught Up::::Landry's 7th Birthday

So...since I'm so behind on blogging...

why the "rush" to get Landry's 7th birthday post done?

Umm...because Lexie turns THREE tomorrow!

Uggh...don't even get me started.

Landry and I have a tradition where

I take him to McDonald's for lunch for his birthday. :)

He also told us that he wanted a 

spaghetti dinner at Nawnie's house...

just like Auntie KK and I. ;)

For the last two years we have given Landry

the choice of having a birthday party or going on a trip.

I tried really hard to talk him into

going to DISNEYLAND...

for the first time...

but he wasn't interested in that!

Yup...you read that right...

I tried to talk him into going to Disneyland...

and he said, "No!"

What did he want instead?

In his words...

"I want to go to that place we went

to last year for your birthday."

Me: "Oh...Monterey?"

Landry: "Yup, that's it. It is such a relaxing 

place to go to."

HAHAHAHAHAHA!!!

What 7 year olds do you know of

who refuse Disneyland and instead

ask for a relaxing getaway?

So...we were left with no choice but to pack

up our bags, load up the car, and head to Monterey!

Why is he wearing blue glasses?

That's because one of his friends got glasses...

and he was sooooooo upset that he didn't have glasses, too.

He went through a 3-4 month period where he asked for

glasses pretty much everyday. ;)

Our first morning in Monterey

we headed straight to the aquarium and

headed to the giant kelp forest!

This boy LOVES touch pools.

We spent a LOT of time there...

mainly because he is so patient

that he waits FOREVER until the perfect spot 

opens up for him. ;)

Traditional picture under the tide pool wave.

You can't go to the aquarium without 

checking out the jellyfish!

My two guys...

checking out the wide open sea!

They had a really neat exhibit

focusing on sea birds and how they fly.

Someone refused to take a picture

in the egg.

Any guesses who?

Chad decided to get in on the coloring action!

The puffins were ready for pictures.

My kiddos...not so much!

Searching for Nemo!

These two are so much better

than a pearl!

Landry LOVED his day at the aquarium...

and as proof that he is growing up...

he ACTUALLY let let the waves

touch his feet!

Monterey...and my 35th!

Last weekend we spent

two days enjoying the beautiful weather

in Monterey!

Saturday started with a trip to the aquarium...

and since it was my birthday,

I got to wear this:

Our first stop was the giant kelp forest.

We got there right in time to watch a feeding.

Next up, this guy...

How amazing is he?

Landry LOVED any of the exhibits

where he could get a closer look...

or feel. ;)

Tide pool selfie!

Outside tide pool experience

The view from the outdoor observation area.

Lexie was less than impressed. :)

We headed back inside to the coral reef area.

Lion fish...so pretty!

When you think of coral reef you think of penguins...right?

From there, we went to the touch pools...

where Landry could have spent the rest of the weekend!

He stood there, listening to EVERY detail

the docent was sharing about the animals.

We took a quick break and headed to

Bubba Gump's for a yummy lunch.

When we came back...

it was time to hang out with the otters!

Next up...my favorite...

Then it was on to the open sea...

Loved watching these two watch the animals.

Next stop...PUFFINS!

They were not shy at all! :)

On Sunday we woke up to another

beautiful day and headed to

Dennis the Menace Park!

If you have kids...it is a must.

This little cutie enjoyed just hanging out.

We thought that Lexie, little Miss Adventure,

would love the slides.

This was her response every time.

Mr. Cautious finally worked up enough

courage to go over the bridge...

and did so about 100 times. :)

Lexie...

well...

I think she was relaxin' and chillaxin'

Before we left, I really wanted to get a pic

of the kids with this cute statue.

As you can see...

they weren't feeling it so much.

In true Lexie fashion...

put her in a slightly dangerous position...

and she is much more comfortable. :)

I HAVE to add that we got to "hang out"

at the park with Alfonso Ribiero...a.k.a. Carlton

from the Fresh Prince of Bel Air.

By "hang out" of course I mean that I

stood there in awe, REALLY wanting to ask

for a picture with him, but too chicken to do so.

Plus he was enjoying a nice, normal day at the park 

with his wife and son and I didn't want to ruin that.

Before we hit the road, we made a stop in Marina

to walk on the beach a bit.

Can you spot Landry?

Our attempt at a selfie...

Lexie wasn't feeling it.

I was finally able to talk Landry into

getting a little bit closer to take a picture with me.

He decided to write "Monterey" in the sand..

and even asked me to take a picture.

It was a wonderful weekend get-away.

Thanks to my hubby for gifting it to me at Christmas.

Thanks to the Richardson Family for the aquarium passes.

And thank you, Monterey for some perfect weather!