Monterey: Bike Ride & Beach

Last Sunday, after going to church, we headed down to Monterey for a few days.  When we got there we took a nice bike ride on the Monterey Bike Trail down to Lover's Point for a picnic.  We enjoyed the trail and the view as we rode.

Ava had a the best seat and really enjoyed our ride.  I'm a little sad because this will be the last year she will fit in her seat.

Rich feeding Ava a deviled egg.  Ava requested to eat deviled eggs on our picnic.  They were really messy and didn't travel well in our lunch sack.

Ava chasing a sea gull.

This sea gull was kind of aggressive and was trying to eat Ava's deviled eggs and sweet potatoes.  Ava didn't like that so she chased it away.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

After our bike ride we checked into our hotel, rested for a few minutes, and went to the beach.  Ava was excited to go to the beach.  She talked about it all week and was planning to build a big sand castle.  At the beach she changed her mind.  As Rich started to build a sand castle she would knock it down.  After a while of trying Rich gave up.

Then Ava decided to make a "spooky cave".  Rich and Ava dug the cave in the side of the destroyed castle.  Rich would dig for a bit, then Ava would stop him to see if it was big enough for her to crawl in.  If it wasn't big enough she would dig a little bit then tell Rich to do more.  Eventually, they got it pretty deep and Ava was able to fit in it....well for about 30 seconds before it collapsed on her head.  Ava was a little surprised, but didn't care too much.  She was just so happy to be playing at the beach.

After about 2 hours of playing and freezing at the beach we headed back to the hotel to warm up.  Ava had a much needed bath and we all enjoyed hot chocolate.  That night we played Toy Story memory, read stories, and snuggled in our beds.

When Rich scooped up a big bucket of water he found a lot of little sand crabs.  Ava thought they were interesting.

Ava holding a sand crab.  What a brave little girl.

Ava didn't want to get in the ocean, but she did want Rich to get in carrying her.

Ava loves to sit on Rich's shoulders and hold onto his hair.  Poor guy, but awesome daddy!

Rich starting the BIG sand castle.

Ava sort of helping.

Still helping.

Now she is in destruction mode.

Ava trying to squeeze into her "spooky cave".

It's getting bigger.

Ava was happy for a few seconds until it crashed down on top of her.

Ava was buried pretty good and Rich had to fish her out.  I love that she is still smiling,

On our drive to Monterey Ava said, "Daddy, I share my bed with you."  Rich replied, "Thank you for wanting to share, but I'm going to share mommy's bed."  Ava didn't like that response and repeated in a more demanding voice, "Daddy, I share my bed with you."  In this picture you can see who won.