Santa Cruz

This weekend we took a trip to Santa Cruz and Los Gatos.  We were able to attend a family get together in Los Gatos and took the opportunity to go to the beach and explore Santa Cruz which was just a hop, skip, and a jump away.  Our week was spent trying to stay cool and we were more than  ready to head out of town and get a break from the heat.  We had a great visit with the aunts, uncles and cousins we were able to see and marveled at yet another beautiful stop in California.  Our hotel was walking distance to the downtown area of Los Gatos with coffee shops galore, a town fountain where the kiddos gather and a Farmer's Market to meander through.  The charm of the town and the views of the mountains were gorgeous.      

This week Jack figured out how to crawl out of his crib.
So this is where Jack slept at nap-time after he crawled out and couldn't get back in.
His crib is now converted but we still find him sleeping among-est
 his toys now that he is free to do as he pleases in his room. 

Grandma Debbie sent homemade capes, Superman for Jack and Anna for Ellie

I talked Ellie into helping me scrub the grout,
she was into it for longer than I had anticipated.  

Natural Bridges State Beach...

The kiddos had fun playing in the puddles.

Jayson napped while the kiddos and I played in the sand.
 Ellie thought it would be funny to bury him while he slept, I couldn't not snap a pic!

Seymour Marine Discovery Center...

Ellie standing in the mouth of a Whale!

Here is the full skeleton of the whale, Jack wanted nothing to do with it.
He was saying, "dat scary monster."   

Ellie was very brave and did it all touching a sea anemone,
starfish and holding a hermit crab.

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She tried to touch a shark, but her arms were  just not quite long enough to reach.

The loved the decorator crabs.

Jack loved to see the fish but wanted nothing to do with touching them.

There was also a slightly smaller whale skeleton.

 

We drove past the Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk while we were there and it wasn't something we were up for with the kiddos this time.  It was a really busy area that could be a blast but probably better for older kiddos.  Ellie was all nervous about the rides and we kept telling her don't worry we aren't going we just wanted to drive by to see it.  It would definitely be more of an all day kind of stop.