The Beach and Gilroy Gardens

The weekend of October 24-25 was a VERY fun-filled weekend. I told Charley that it almost felt like we were on vacation and were trying to pack as much in as we could. Charley took that Friday off and we went to the beach with Grandma Epps. We found a GREAT beach at Half Moon Bay. It had tide pools for as far as you could see. (When you reach the end of 92...I believe it would be Hwy. 1...you turn right and go down a ways and then turn left on California Ave.) There was a ranger station there with a very informative young ranger who was able to tell us a lot about the tide pools, the tides, the best place to fish, etc.
Anna and Momma


My boys had just recently been saying, "We've never gone to the beach!" which wasn't true...but they were so young that they just don't remember it. This was more of a tide pool beach...not a "get your swim suit on and get in the water" type beach. We'll have to find one of those next summer.



I LOVE this picture of Caleb. How amazing is our God and His creation!

Kristina found a crab that was dead, but almost fully intact. He became the bait for the fishing expedition that Charley led the older kids on.

My precious little Anna's hand in the ocean

She actually hated the water and would hardly go near it. She got a little more brave as the day progressed...but not much.

She REALLY didn't want to take this picture so I am amazed that I got such a cute smile out of her. It was a very low tide when we were there so we were able to go out quite a ways on the tide pools.

Here is a starfish that I found on a walk along the tide pools.

My Handsome Boys:)....and did I mention that we are A's fans??

Joshua found a dead crab and was acting silly.

The Fishing Expedition! Charley took the older kids to a recommended spot and taught them how to cast. He said that they were casting a good distance, but of course when mom showed up to see how they were doing, none of them could do it.

On Saturday, we went to Gilroy Gardens. Grandma Epps gave us some free tickets so we all went, along with some friends of ours. We had a fun, but tiring time.

The Kids in the Mini Corn Maze

At this point in the day, Anna was at her limit! She is not really taking naps anymore (maybe once a week) but with so much going on, she was E-X-H-A-U-S-T-E-D!!!

Anna with Grandma Epps.

Thank you Grandma Epps for the tickets and for spending 2 very long, fun-filled, and action-packed days with us!! We love you!

Charley, Kristina, Joshua, and Caleb on the hot air balloon ride

...and last but not least, 2 drowned rats! Caleb & Abby went under a waterfall that they have there and got drenched!!! :):) They loved every minute of it!