The Ocean

Did I mention that our room/house was across the street from the ocean? We stayed at a rental house thing with 3 bedrooms and a great view of the ocean. Emma especially loved looking at it. She asked to see it first thing when we woke up the first morning...it was too dark to see by the time we got to the coast Thursday night . She loved watching the waves, assigning them names by how big they were...big daddy ones, mommy ones, or little Emma waves. It's so much fun for her to see all these new things. I was 14 the first time I saw the ocean, which I have now seen a total of 6 times...I'm keeping track. 

Chillin at the beach house

Pretending to sleep

Daddy and Emma

Walking to the beach

Looking for seashells

Found you a seagull, Tory!

Walking on the beach...she didn't want to get too close to the water..and was very concerned for Daddy

We have a first aid kit that is not helpful for bee stings, but it did have binoculars in it, which Emma loved.

I took some videos so we could listen to the sound of the ocean later....

Redwood trip day 2

On Friday we went exploring Jedediah State Park. We drove around a while looking at the trees and found an info center, where Emma of course found a little bear with binoculars, which Grandma bought her, so Emma showed the bear all kinds of things. We found a trail with REALLY big trees, but before we got there we stopped to look at some other really big trees. Emma very much enjoyed exploring with Daddy until a bee attacked her and stung her. After that she wouldn't get out of the car. It was very upsetting to her...and thankfully she's not allergic. She took a little nap in the car while we took turns walking around the trail seeing the trees. (This is why there are so many pictures, we had to go in shifts to see the trees.) She was very traumatized, held her hand for hours until we got a minion  bandaid to help. :) After that we went to dinner at the Chart Room, by the marina where we got to see the sea lions, which was a fabulous distraction.

Right before the infamous bee sting.

Tourist bear snuggled with Emma to help her feel better.

Steven and Connie...I think they said this tree was like 2200 years old.

He walked on the tree to take our picture:

This is hard to see, but on either side of us there is a tree uprooted. 

Holding her hand

Feeling a little better, helping bear use his binoculars 

It was getting dark, but there are sea lions there

We got to watch the sun set over the ocean while we ate our dinner

Shrine Drive-thru Tree

We are finally back from our whirlwind trip to see the Redwoods. We left Thursday and headed up th scenic route to see the Avenue of the Giants, and drive through a tree. We actually hit a LOT of construction so it took us much longer than anticipated, but we very much enjoyed our stop at the Shrine Drive-thru Tree. We did not end up driving through the tree since we weren't sure the van would fit, and the tree is being held in place by chains. But it was big, and wasa good stop in our long day.

Those of us who are adjusted to warmer climates were cold.

Emma enjoyed the tree houses.

She sat down and smiled by the bear, without me asking.

Exploring with Dad.

Pumpkin Farm On Halloween

The Bencys arrived Friday evening, but Steven didn't get back until late Saturday night from his TDY in San Angelo. So Emma and I took them to the pumpkin farm. We had lots of fun looking at pumpkins, animals, and playing. 

Sitting so nicely never lasts long.

Watching the apples be made into cider is always entertaining 

Having a tea party with Papa Mike

Too big

Halloween

This year we went to the Halloween parade in main base and trick-or-treating with grandma. Emma did NOT want to wear her costume, but I 'convinced' (made) her, since I knew she would enjoy having people give her candy, which she did. So on Friday she was a ladybug for the parade, and then was Minnie Mouse for Halloween, minus the ears as she refused to wear those, too. Next year I'm going to have to think of a costume that is as much like wearing normal clothes as possible. She didn't like the extra stuff. She was pretty tired for trick-or-treating, I mean rather than get more candy she asked to go home. So we did. And she would only say "truck-or-treat" for Miss Cynthia  from church, she was too shy to say it to anyone else, but she did always say thank you. We had fun! Trick-or-treat g on base is always fun...tons of kids and costumes.  And we are all having fun sharing her candy, too. :)

Cranky at first.

Emma's favorite costume this year, the big daddy minion.

Trick or treat!

She decided she liked it.

She had a friend join her in the wagon, they had lots of little girl giggles.

Owen was a monkey, Hannah banana is his little sister, Lacey the fairy?, and Emma the lady bug.

Her costume in the morning.

Grandma Connie helped her with her makeup