Go West!

Warning: This is a lengthy post. Be proud. Had a camera and actually used it :)

This summer has gone by SO fast! I’m struggling a little with the fact that it’s already into August and I’m not sure where July went! School starts in 4 short weeks!! Oh my!
We had a great time visiting Grandparents and cousins and aunts and uncles this summer. We started summer with cub camp and girls camp. Right after those finished up, we packed up and went west. First stop? Utah. Grandma and Grandpa. We had a great time with Bary’s parents, siblings and their kids. The kids loved having fireworks in Great Grandma’s backyard and eating Grandma’s famous homemade ice cream. Yum! We let the kids experience the dollar movie (TOTALLY wish we had that here!) and saw How to Train your Dragon. Such a cute show!




My sister and her family happened to be in Utah the same week and so we were able to spend an afternoon with them and their kids. (Thanks for the use fo the car Mark!) We met up and Hollywood Connection and the kids bumper cared, mini golfed, roller skated, and ride rode to their hearts content. Then, off to Leatherby’s (Oh, Tracy’s Peanut Butter Cup how I’ve missed you!) Candace and I rocked the skate rink and Bary took out a few on the bumper cars. Aaron took out us all in Laser Tag.





After we wore everyone out there, we hopped a plane to the bay area to spend a few days in CA with Annette’s parents. First stop? You guessed it. In and Out. Mmmmmm animal style, and strawberry shake-where have you been? It was wonderful to be reunited!
We drove up to Concord and had dinner with several of our friends. It was hard to believe it had been two years since we’d moved! It’s gone by very fast.
We were reminded it seems every time we were in the car though how much we love the slower pace that Mechanicsville offers! There was a lot of traffic!
Nana and Papa decided to take us down to Monterey to visit the aquarium there as well as the fun Dennis the Menace Park(SO fun!) and Lover’s Point beach. I don’t think the weather could have been better. It was overcast at first, and about 62 and after the sun came out it maybe got to be about 68. Perfect!


The aquarium was cooler than I remember it being-bigger too. They must have expanded it or something. Aren’t things supposed to seem smaller after you grow up?
As we drove home thru Gilroy, I was bummed to realize we’d miss the Garlic Festival (Again!!) by just a week or so. One of these day I WILL get there!
Just when we hadn’t been gone near long enough or in CA near long enough, it was time to leave. Sigh.. REALLY wish we could have stayed longer! Thanks to all we saw for working it out. Sorry to all we missed. We tried! We’ll shoot for next time.
Why can’t here be closer to there? ☺
They had an earthquake platform where you could experience some of the larger earthquakes that have rocked the world. The kids loved it. Nana wouldn't touch it after the big one in '89.
At the Tech Museum (think Science Museum) they had an interactive 'make your own roller coaster'. You could design and then ride your coaster. Sierra made several!
Katelyn climbing up and over the climbing wall.