A Monterey Thanksgiving (warning LOTS of pictures)

We just got back from such a fun trip. It only took me a couple of years to convince Jared that the 11 hour drive to Monterey California was worth it. He wasn't disappointed! I think he was mostly nervous about the kids being in the car that long but we solved that problem by driving through the night both there and back. The kids slept the entire drive! Woo Hoo! This was one of the prettiest places I have been to. I love the beach and the forest and you get both there! Shauna and Justin were awesome hosts and kind enough to let us stay in their house.

We started off the trip at the Aquarium. This place was huge and really cool!

Owen, Cash, Briant, Max and Drew. Cash was so excited to be around all the fish and couldn't stop saying "Nemo"!


Max was in a tunnel of water. It looked really cool from the inside.

Outside the Aquarium

Cole and Gwen on the other side of the tank.

She loved the play area...

...especially this water tank with little plastic fish floating around. We both got a little wet with this one.

After the Aquarium we went to the Dennis the Menace park. This park is the coolest! I should have taken pictures of everything but just FYI if you are ever in the Monterey area this park is worth stopping for.

Drew and Grandpa

Owen, Briant and Cole

Isn't this tender!

We then took the kids home and got them ready for bed.

Sally and Gwen loved each other and couldn't stop calling each other "baby"

Cole and a kid from Shauna's ward babysat while the adults went to Fisherman's Wharf for some clam chowder.

Don't ask...we don't really know how this happened.

On Thanksgiving my Dad went to Lover's Point early to secure a spot and started roasting the turkey in his homemade contraption. He had lots of spectators and loved every minute of it.
The food turned out so yummy. Shauna invited her friend to join us for dinner and she made the most delicious dishes...she needs to be invited every year.

Ashley and Gwen

Right when we started to eat the sun disappeared and it turned freezing cold. Despite the cold it was really cool to eat the feast on the beach.

Cash, Sally and Rachel

I wish Gwen would learn to walk. She wouldn't let us stop walking her around!

The Thanksgiving feast was a success. We had a few bumps and bruises that day but survived without any serious injuries.

Justin and Jared went Black Friday shopping and this was one of Jared's finds. He couldn't wait to give Shauna her Christmas gift! I am sure that she felt like she hit the jack pot!

After shopping some of us went to the Herb Gardens. It was a bit rainy but I have never been to a place that smelt so fresh! I wanted to stay forever.

We went back to Lover's Point that afternoon to retrieve the balls that got stuck in the tree the day before. That's a long story that I won't bore you with. Lets just say Jared lost the bet. While we were there we did some tide pooling.
I think we found a total of 10 sea stars.
Max loved this little guy.

Next was the 17 mile drive. This is the prettiest place. You drive along the coast of Pebble Beach. The boys rode their bikes (most of the way. It was extremely windy)
Jared said the mountain biking in Monterey was amazing! He is like my dad. Whenever they go on vacation they swear by the end of the trip they will move there someday! I wouldn't mind : )

We ended the night with a little roller derby! We had planned on a bon fire at Pebble Beach but it was too windy so this was the alternative. We had a blast. I think that Justin totally should have won the limbo! So close! Briant did really well (only his 2nd time)!


Saturday we drove to see the red woods. The boys went on some more excellent bike rides, we took walks, hiked and roasted hot dogs and marshmallows! It was so refreshing to smell nature instead of smog!

The trees were huge!

There were a bunch of slugs!It was very sad to leave but I am glad to have family members that live in places I love to visit.!