Monterey Bay Aquarium

On the second day of the year we took Kayley, her Mamie and her Grandpa and Grandma V to the Monterey Bay Aquarium. For Christmas we gave Kayley’s grandparents free passes that we created that said she had to be there with them, along with Andrew and me. So we had a family adventure day!

All ready to go to the aquarium

We're on our way!

Kayley with her grandparents and their special passes

Kayley loved the aquarium! She loved watching all the aquatic life swimming or swaying in the water. She tried to grab a few fish through the glass, she loved to splash and feel the kelp and starfish in the touch and feel pools, her eyes watched everything that moved, and she was a joyful little girl all day! It was so fun to watch her and experience it with her. 

Checking out the water and starfish

Splashing in the water. Notice the water on her forehead.

Watching a sting ray swim

Trying to grab a fish through the glass

Play time with daddy!

Splash time with daddy!

Trying to catch fish with Maimie

Watching the penguins with Grandpa

Watching the fish in the kelp forest

OoOO a turtle

Playing with a whale fin with Grandma

How big are we to a whale?

Beautiful sunset. And yes we bought her a first time visit shirt.

And then she crashed after a long and fun day

Happy New Year!

Happy (late) New Year! And what fun it was bringing in 2012.

Andrew’s folks invited some friends over for a game night. We played some fun rounds of Apples to Apples, and an entertaining game of Gestures. But, we also got to experience a power outage that lasted over an hour. This made for an interesting game of Apples to Apples by candle and flashlight. Kayley missed the blackout completely since she had just fallen asleep. But before that she enjoyed meeting people who had been praying for her and celebrated her life at one of her baby showers.

But without Kayley in my arms or someone else’s, it made it a lot easier to play Gestures (in the light). I always love watching how people decide to act out their words. And it’s always amusing and a bit frustrating when you’re acting out a word in a way that you personally think is extremely obvious, but no one is guessing close to the correct answer.

Those of us that stayed up til midnight had fun bringing in 2012 with poppers and cheers.

Welcome 2012!

The excitement of bringing in the New Year slower worked its way into Kayley, and after everyone had left, and when we were all ready for bed, she woke up alert and hyper! I guess she was thinking she needed to celebrate as well! But we were able to play some energy out of her and get her down so we all could get some decent shut eye before church.

Kayley bringing in the New Year

We went to the church Andrew grew up in. I met and re-met people who know Andrew and/or his folks. Kayley seems to have adoring fans everywhere! It was so wonderful to meet so many people who keep us and her in their prayers.

We continued our celebrating of the new year by having dinner at John and Joyce’s. Sadly we had to cut our visit short because Kayley was very tired from her long day. But we had a wonderful time and meal while there.

Dinner with family and friends

I hope the New Year has started off in a good way for all of you! Now I only have 16 days to catch up on in blogging.

The End of 2011

The end of 2011 as a story of pictures (otherwise I’d never catch up with current happenings).

We had a fun playdate with Kayley's cousins, Adelyn and Soleil.

Mamas and the babes

Soleil: Would you like some tea?

Tea party time!

 My uncle TJ stopped by for a short visit and gave Kayley a wood rattle that he made. It's awesome and Kayley loves it! He's my uncle who turns wood for a living. Check out his site.

It makes noise and I can chew it! Whoohoo!

We went on an In N' Out adventure with my brother, Beth and Adelyn. It was Kayley's first time.

Adelyn even had her own patty

Me and my Togos, Kayley and her puree, and Andrew and his In N' Out

The girls and their hats.

In N' Out taste good

Pastor John and his wife Ruth stopped by for a quick little visit. It was wonderful spending time with them both.

We got the girls twin outfits

And then on the 30th we had to say bye to my family so we could say hello to Andrew's.

Goodbye my sweet niece

Pastor/Missionary Steve was able to stop by and say hi shortly after we got to Andrew's folks place

We had our own little Christmas celebrating with Andrew's folks. Stockings and all! Kayley yet again enjoyed opening her gifts and watching/helping others open theirs. 

Kayley with her Grandma and Grandpa V

Kayley's Great Grandma made that!

Kayley eating Jesus. I guess she took a more literal translation to digesting what you learn

Grandma and Grandpa V excited for their free tickets to the Monterey Bay Aquarium

Super excited about the calendar they got from Kayley that was all pictures of her

Kayley playing and being goofy with her blocks from Grandpa V

Playing with new friends!

We played Carcassonne. I kicked butt. ^_^

 One of my best friends came up to visit us! So while Andrew was going through his old stuff, Courtney, Kayley and I went to the beach.

So excited to show her the OCEAN!

Kayley sat and played with the sand for 5-10 minutes without trying to put any in her mouth. She was so interested in its texture.

Oh the beautiful ocean. ^_^

Love it!

 Next we brought in the New Year. But that shall be a different post.

Happy Hollow

I grew up taking family and school trips to Kelley Park: Happy Hollow Park and Zoo, and it’s one of my favorite places to go! They recently renovated and remodeled it too. My mom and I check it out in early 2010 right after it reopened. Who’d have thought that in less than two years I would have my own little one to bring along for a fun adventure. 

Driving to Happy Hollow

Beth, Tim, Adelyn, Me, Kayley and Andrew

On December 26, Andrew, Kayley, my mom, Tim, Beth, Adelyn and I went to Happy Hollow. It was a bright sunny, but very chilly day. The two little girls really liked watching all the animals, especially the playful monkeys. They loved playing in the grass, petting the goats, going down the slides, and crawling and scooting all over the place. 

Watching the monkeys jump around

Kayley and Adelyn playing in the grass

Maimie dancing with Adelyn

Slide time!

So excited to crawl through a log

Checking out the goat together

We had a fun family adventure together, and Kayley even go to go on her first carousel ride! We spent the whole afternoon at the park. I don’t think the girls were bored for even a second. Kayley was fighting sleeping near the end of the day not wanting to miss anything. But as soon as she was in her car seat, she was out!

Riding a swan on the carousel.

Kayley was out cold before we pulled out of our parking spot

That evening we were able to spend some time with some close friends for dinner. Kayley got to meet my childhood friend, Cindy, and received a very cute stuffed unicorn. A perfect gift from Cindy to my little girl (Cindy loves horses, and Tim, Cindy and I used to play a game we called “Cat, Horse, Unicorn.” I was the Unicorn. I know you’re thinking “what? Not a mermaid?” But you see we played outside and climbed trees and did all sorts of things that are hard to do with a fin. Plus I really liked unicorns too.).  I love that Kayley is finally able to meet many of the people in Cali that love her.

Cindy was excited to meet Kayley too

Close friends, food and fellowship