Charlie's B-day weekend (aka Labor Day Weekend)

I was quite thrilled to have a weekend getaway with my little family. We seriously had so much fun. I think we all needed some good quality time together after a long crazy (but fun-filled) summer apart. We've really liked living in CA, but it has just been so busy since the day we arrived. We snatched the chance for a trip. We headed down to Monterey Friday evening. We got in kind of late, but thought Charlie would be fine and fall asleep in the car. I made the mistake of telling him we were going to a hotel and he got all giddy and excited. Every couple of minutes he would just start saying "hotel, hotel!" Just when he would get quiet and we thought he was almost asleep he would start saying "hotel!" again. Drat. So we had some issues when we got to the hotel and ended up needing to drive Charlie around for a while to get him to sleep. Other than that incident. This trip was perfect. I love my family and we love Monterey Bay!

We went to the Aquarium on Charlie's 2nd Birthday. He had been so excited to see the fish. In the week before we went, Charlie would ask me everyday if we were going to see the fish. Then he would get pretty upset when it was Target or some other errand we were doing. So when this trip finally happened he could not be happier. Charlie could tell it was his day. He woke up all giddy, just laughing  and smiling at everything. He was thrilled about presents too. 

Charlie's birthday lasted all weekend. We went and visited by old BFF on our way home. She had a cute book and cake for Charlie. He blew out candles-a few times, and loved it. Then on Monday he opened a couple more presents and had another birthday cake. 

After waking up on his 2nd Birthday

If you ask Charlie how old he is, he will proudly answer, "2!" But he'll probably be holding up 5 fingers. Occasionally he'll get it right.                                     

This is how Charlie hopped and ran around all day. He was so happy.

Charlie was mesmerized by the guy cleaning the tank. They did share a wave.

The Jellyfish exhibit was amazing-and psychedelic- and Andrew got some great photos of it. Here's one.

We spotted some sea otters kicking back and floating around behind us.

Chalie/Nemo. He enjoyed looking at himself as a fish.

I was really impressed with all the little kiddie areas in the Monterey Bay Aquarium. They had so many hands on things for kids to do. Charlie was in heaven.

We took this beautiful drive called "17 mile drive" around Pebble Beach. It was gorgeous. We also checked out the Pebble Beach golf course. Andrew would love to golf there someday. It's only $495 to play 18 holes. Even without being able to golf, Andrew was in heaven.

This little beach is right along the golf course.

2nd night in the hotel, we had to hang out in the tiny little bathroom for about 45 min. in hopes that Charlie would fall asleep better without us in his room. It worked! And we got some good reading in.

Point Lobos State Reserve

We spent a little time walking around Point Lobos. It was really pretty, but we were told it was covered with poison oak. If you recall Andrew's experience with it in the spring, it was REALLY something we wanted to avoid. And I didn't want Charlie to end up with any. Of course he would not stay in his stroller and would never let us hold him, "MY walk" was the most heard phrase. Luckily none of us got poison oak, and none of us fell off a cliff.

Trying to hold Charlie around the cliff.

Two Peas in a Pod

Charlie felt pretty cool sitting in a tree

My friend made such a yummy cake, I had to make it again the next day. Charlie now thinks that is what "birthday cake" is

                                   

Charlie loved the "birthday hats"

Charlie was super spoiled and got a trampoline from grandparents, great grandparents, and us.  He loves jumping