Monterey Bay Aquarium

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No trip to Monterey would be complete without a visit to the aquarium.

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We got there early enough to avoid the crowds and the kids had fun exploring.

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We had such nice weather today! Mama even spotted whales out in the distance.

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We beat the lunch crowd and had a meal at Cannery Row Brewing Company up the street. Peanut napped and Janie drew the sardines that she saw.

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We also headed back to the aquarium after lunch to see more of our favorite exhibits.

This one was a big hit with both kids. It’s funny that Janie was terrified of this just two years ago.

 

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Room Service

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We stayed at Spindrift Inn, which serves a complimentary continental breakfast that is delivered to your room.

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It came complete with fresh fruit, cereal, toast, yogurt, milk, juice, and coffee. The kids ate breakfast in fancy armchairs while watching Good Eats on the TV.

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This guy has a newfound love for yogurt.

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Drive to Monterey

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At the last minute, we booked a hotel room in Monterey and decided to make a quick overnight trip to the aquarium. The drive was a little painful with so much Friday night traffic. Luckily the kids slept part of the way and had enough energy to go out later than normal once we got checked in.

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Monterey: Day 2

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This morning, we got up early and went back to the aquarium at 9:30am when they opened.  It was much less crowded and Janie was able to see the rest of the exhibits in less than 2 hours.

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The kelp forest was really cool and she loved seeing the sharks.

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She was very scared of the water tunnel but was able to stand underneath with Dada.IMG_6714

We tried to take a photo together in the tunnel but you can’t tell that it’s water rushing over us.

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This was one of her favorite parts: the corral tunnel.

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She got to see a tank full of anemones, Nemos, and Marlins.

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In the morning, no one was crowding the penguins so she got a clear view of them.

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She also went to the touch pool to feel some of the creatures on display.

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One cool thing about this aquarium is that they have Janie-sized sinks so Mama doesn’t have to pick her up to wash hands.  Wish we had one of these in all public restrooms.

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Janie rode on Dada’s shoulders to get a better look at the giant octopus.  He was huge!

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After the aquarium, we walked over to a breakfast place and Janie got to ride the train with Big GG while we waited for a table.

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They hooked her up with some crayons and she colored in the whale on her menu.

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We ordered her the “Mickey pancake” and it was SO BIG!  She ate the ear and that was all she could manage.

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Once breakfast was done, we checked out of what she calls our “Manta Ray (Monterey) House” and headed up to Redwood City to visit Toni and Thomas.  What a fun mini vacation!!

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Monterey Evening

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After the beach, we went back to the hotel to shower, eat a snack, and unwind.

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We also got some quiet time and Janie found a nice spot for her to look at her coloring book.

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Later that evening, Auntie Jia, Uncle Jason, Toni, and Thomas came by to have dinner with us.  It was their first big outing!

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Before they headed home, Janie got to hang out with Toni while Thomas was getting his diaper changed.  She’s become quite fond of her baby cousins.

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Monterey: Day 1

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Today we took Janie to Monterey as a special vacation before Baby Brother arrives.  On the drive over, she had oatmeal in the car and then took a little nap.

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When we arrived, we dropped off our bags and car at the hotel.  At the front desk, they gave her a gift bag.  There was a baby turtle, which she said was “for Baby Brother” and a coloring book with stickers and crayons inside.

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After the bell desk took our luggage, we headed over the the Monterey Bay Aquarium.

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Janie loved this gift shop that had a plush toy of almost every sea animal you can think of.

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The Deep Sea exhibit was pretty cool and she was so excited to see the hammerhead shark and sting ray.

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The puffins were cool too.  They came right up to the glass to greet her.

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For lunch, we walked up the hill for some Mexican food.

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After lunch, we headed back to the hotel to check in and rest up a bit.

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She found sunglasses in her gift bag and tried them on.  They were a little too big for her face.

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In the afternoon, we took Janie down the street to a small beach that had lots of cool little rocks to collect and throw into the water.

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Initially, she was afraid of the water but warmed up very quickly and ended up not wanting to go back to the hotel.  The water was pretty cold but it didn’t seem to bother her.

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She had a fun time collecting rocks and “feeding the ocean”.  She talked to Mr. Ocean the whole time and each time the waves would surprise her from behind, she would say, “you scared me, Ocean!”

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