Santa Cruz

We headed to Santa Cruz the weekend of September 10, 2016 for Dada's half ironman. We left after work Friday and the kids did great on the ride there. Clara agreed to listen to something other than her music, there were no tantrums and Emmett played happily. We ate dinner in Los Banos and Emmett slept most of the remainder of the trip and Clara talked away. We stayed with Abuela Sheri's cousin Jill and her husband Bill and their son Owen. The kids played a little when we got there before we all called it a night. Clara was very excited to sleep on a "slumber bed" (air mattress) in our room and Emmett slept in his Pack 'N Play in another room. 

"Hold my hand Baby Emmett!"

We actually got to sleep in until 7:00 on Saturday! We had breakfast and then headed to a local aquarium. Emmett was content to hang out in the carrier while we took the tour. Clara loved touching the different sea animals and looking at everything. Once I let Emmett down, he ran all over touching everything too! 

"That cangrejo has puffs on it!"

We grabbed some lunch at the Greek Festival and it was delicious. Emmett fell asleep on the short drive there and slept for awhile while we ate. He woke up ready to eat and dance! Clara picked out a little Greek skirt with lots of jingly things on it and danced around with it shaking her little hips! She got a lot of compliments! We met Dada at the race start and played on the playground while he set his stuff up. The kids loved it and Clarita didn't even cry when she flew off one of the toys. We headed to a local ice cream place after where we enjoyed delicious ice cream in a million different flavors. We also enjoyed the cow wall paper and Emmett enjoyed trying to kill himself by climbing things, falling on the tile floor, and slamming his head so hard on the door that he got a giant bump. We headed back to Bill and Jill's for some pizza and great company. Dada and the kids went to bed early while I caught up with the grown ups! It was a great night.

It's too bad Jill's not any fun...

On Sunday we woke up bright and early (luckily Fafa took Dada to the race so we didn't have to wake up too early!), ate breakfast, and headed down to the race. We got to see Dada on the bike and run and then headed to an "antique sale" (aka giant yard sale) where I found an old Rainbow Brite doll in excellent condition. I don't know who was more excited, Clarita or I! While waiting for the bike Emmett proceeded to fall in the mud as many times as possible until he was literally covered from head to toe! Apparently he wore himself out because he proceeded to take a two hour nap in the stroller and didn't even wake up when I parked him next to giant, loud speakers on the beach! We got to the beach in time to see Dada finish, and even though he wasn't happy with his time, we thought he did pretty well. He beat his fastest time by a second and this was a much more difficult course! He and Clarita played in the water while Emmett continued to sleep. The Little Guy woke up right before we left and got to play in the sand for a little bit which he loved. He also got to eat some of Dada's pizza which he loved as well!

Homeless baby

Pouty face

Still standing!

Literally covered in dirt!

We went back to Jill and Bills (or Jelly Belly as Clara called them) so Dada could shower and then headed to a late lunch at the golf course. The food was great and it was pretty empty so Emmett was free to run all over. The worker at the shop gave Emmett and Clarita golf balls and Emmett was in heaven! After lunch we packed up, gave the kids a bath, and headed out. The kids fell asleep immediately and Clara woke up an hour later stating that she didn't take a nap. Emmett slept longer but woke up in a foul mood. He fussed off and on the last hour of the drive and was very happy to get home and run around. It was a great trip spent with awesome people and we sure are proud of Dada and his crazy endurance!