Do You Know the Way to San Jose...I mean Monterey???

It has been really busy around here lately, and I haven't had a good chance to sit down and write about what we've been up to...but I thought before our departure from California tomorrow, I would write a few quick words about the last few days...and the pictures can take care of the rest.:)

On Thursday, the kids and I tagged along with my dad to Monterey. He had a business lunch there, and the kids and I went to the aquarium.  If you haven't been to the Monterey Bay aquarium and you get the chance to go....you should definitely take it!!!

On the way there i had to snap a picture of San Jose....I couldn't get the song out of my head..." Do you know the way to San Jose?"



San Jose




Eating breakfast before the aquarium opened



During the first and second world wars, Monterey was a bustling city of canneries for sardines.  After the wars, the need for canneries greatly diminished, but the remnants of what kept this city going for the first 50 years of the 20th century still remain...



John Steinbeck wrote a poem about the canneries in Monterey



Finally , we got into the aquarium right when it opened...I highly recommend going at this time...especially with small children.  There are so many children activities there, and when you get there early..it isn't crowded and the kids really get to enjoy them.:)



sharks




checking out a sea star




making their own waves in a pretend tide pool




more waves




pretending to be animals in a coral reef




giant clam




giant clam




eels




we found Nemo and Dory!!




sea horses




touching a star fish




kelp forest




pretending to be fish in a kelp forest

 The kids LOVED the huge deep sea tank that had so many fish, hammer head sharks, sea turtles and one very interesting fish....The kids were mesmerised...i think they sat there for 15 minutes straight just watching the fish....it was so calming:)



deep sea tank




watching the fish




very strange fish




sea turtle




sting ray




Elizabeth thought this exhibit was "outer space"!




Great kids exhibit..taught them why dolphins have fins!




checking out the view of Monterey Bay

watching the fish



Jeremy's favorite fish...the shark!





standing underneath a wave




touching star fish





sea lions in the bay




bad pic..but there was a mother and baby otter in the pic




E loved the sea horses

 Then, on the way home, we went through Castroville which happens to be the artichoke capital of the world...just a little bit of trivia for you.  And, just in case you are interested in even more trivia click here to find out who the very first artichoke queen was.:)  Needless to say, we had to pick up a few artichokes to take home.:)



field of artichokes




sign of a good day!!:)



Very good day!!!



Livermore Valley..where my parents live:)

 This week, we also had a few summer birthdays to celebrate.:)  Jeremy, Dad's and mine are all in the summer.:)  Lots of Leos in the family.:)



it wasn't E's birthday, but how can you tell a 3 year old that??



ready to turn 6!!!!

We've had a very anxious( at times), busy ( all the time) and fun ( all the time) time here with my parents the last 5 weeks.  We'll miss you both terribly...but we'll see you again.:)  Just think, now you can rest up for the next time the kids and I invade your house!:) Love you both so much!!! Thanks for everything!:)