Monterey Bay Aquarium

For Auntie Ellen's birthday, we celebrated down in Monterey by visiting the aquarium and having lunch at Bubba Gump. Luke had never been to the aquarium, so he was completely enthralled by everything there, but most importantly: if his cousins were excited, he was excited too.

Cousin pictures are tough - they're always headed in opposite directions and looking different ways. This was understood from the time Luke was 6 months old. Its really just wishful thinking at this point.

They always kept Luke right between the two of them - keeping an eye on him and holding his hand.

We arrived early enough for the kids to play in the water area without competition from 50 other kids. (I have never been with a kid, so I've always avoiding this area like the plague. I had no idea.) But Luke loves to splash and enjoyed one type of fish (yellow) and could have cared less about everything else. He is quite particular.

Everything was exciting.

Initially, Luke was not sure about the water (tide) rushing over his head. It took a few times . . .

Oh thanks Grandma. I get it now.

Its freakin' awesome!


Come on fish, come on! This way! Let's go! Aw, man.

It all ended up okay, in the end.


I like my hubby. I will keep him.


Even on her birthday, Auntie Ellen still makes sure Luke is a happy little boy. We really shouldn't have started this climbing stuff. I mean, its one thing when its mommy or daddy, but when he starts climbing on everyone else . . . and we know he's prone to head injuries. Its just not a great combination.


Yup. She's so nice. She let him climb and flip over and over . . .


Yet no trips to the ER. Sweet deal.

Was able to catch Collin in the Forrest Gump shoes, but Luke was too impatient to wait for me and the camera. Aw man.

It was such a fun day - we were able to celebrate as a family before school started (bleh) the next day. Which is what has been preventing me from keeping everything updated. This is quite the class this year. Yikes.