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!