Aquarium of the Pacific

After Christmas we went down to SoCal for the week, and went to check out the Aquarium of the Pacific in Long Beach.

Note: If you've never been to the Long Beach Aquarium before (or even if you have but it's been awhile), that big building painted with giant whales and fish is NOT the aquarium (even though it looks like it is)! It's actually the Long Beach Convention Center. Keep that in mind before parking the car and walking almost half a mile around the entire building looking for the entrance before realizing that the actual aquarium is down the street! 

Not the aquarium.

Moving on...we finally made it to the aquarium and headed straight to the outdoor exhibits, since I wanted to see the sharks. It was a little crowded since everyone was on winter break, but we were able to see everything we wanted. We ended up getting an annual family pass, so hopefully another visit is in store in the future.

Penguins!

For five bucks we got some shrimp and got to feed the bat rays.

There was a lorikeet exhibit where we were able to feed them cups of nectar. I got a little nervous so ended up letting Mommy and Daddy feed them while I looked on. 

We spent most of our time outdoors so zipped through all the indoor tanks. But I was able to say hello to this diver on the way out!

Random Holiday Photos

It's mid-January so about time to wrap up the holiday posts! Here are some final random photos from December.

This year's Gingerbread House, courtesy of Walgreen's. Kaitlyn wanted it to look exactly like the picture on the box, so I ended up doing all of the icing while she ate the candy.

Christmas lights on Eucalyptus Ave with Wylie

Christmas cookies! I looove holiday baking. These were all five-ingredient-or-less recipes that I found on Pinterest. If I get around to it I'll provide details, but I probably won't.

Salt dough ornaments. Thanks again Pinterest.

Kaitlyn kept asking how many days it was until Christmas, so I had to start the advent calendar tradition. The top one is from daycare, which she started after I had already bought the bottom one.

Christmas Eve dinner at The Old Spaghetti Factory.

Kaitlyn's drawing of Santa Claus, complete with cutout beard.

Kaitlyn's Christmas present for Brady. She even wrapped it up and put it under the tree for him.

Cookies and milk for Santa, a carrot for his reindeer. Looks like they came already.

More Cousins!

All my cousins from Maryland came to visit over Christmas. Technically, they're second cousins, but who's keeping track. I had fun meeting everybody and getting to know them.

On Christmas Day we went to Wylie's house and opened more presents. Then we played all. day. long.

Ready for a game of Hungry Hungry Hippos.

Keeping entertained at dinner with our Boogie Boards (thanks Auntie Vicki!). They were a popular gift this year - I took mine down to SoCal to find that Alex and Kieran each received one for Christmas too!

On the 26th we all went to Great Grandma's house to celebrate her birthday. She is 99 years old! 

Finally, we met up with everyone for a morning at Curiodyssey. Getting ten kids to stay still for a picture is pretty impossible, so Mommy didn't even attempt it. Hope they all had a fun trip!

Colin, meet Ryker.

"I like your hat."

"It's my hat now! Stay back!"

Christmas Morning

Santa came again this year! Here's the video from Christmas morning - I was so excited and ran out so fast that Mommy couldn't get the focus in place, so the beginning is a little blurry.

Santa brought the two things I had asked for: a toy mouse for me and maracas for Colin. He also left Brady a bone and another gift for me, a smartwatch that takes photos and videos. He must have known that I was an extra good girl this year and deserved more than just a toy mouse.



We spent the rest of the morning opening Christmas presents. I received a lot of Paw Patrol toys (I'm really into Paw Patrol right now) and Colin got his very own Xfinity remote (he's always trying to eat the real one) as well as lots of toy cars and trucks. Merry Christmas to us!

Kaitlyn Wishes You a Merry Christmas

This year's Christmas singalong video. The best part is at the very end so you have to watch the entire clip.

San Jose Children's Discovery Museum

We spent the morning of Christmas Eve at the San Jose Children's Discovery Museum. The last time we visited was probably two years ago so there was lots to see and discover. Colin especially had a good time in the baby room where he was free to crawl around and play with anything he wanted. It was a fun outing!

Trying to catch a bubble

Controlling traffic and crosswalk lights

The ladybugs on the apron match the ladybugs on my sweater!

Big water exhibit

I built this myself!

Mini High School Reunion

Me plus two high school friends, twenty years and eight kids later!