California 2024

For my parents' 50-year wedding anniversary, they paid for a trip for all of us kids to go to California to show us the place that they hold near and dear to their hearts.  Monterey, California was where my dad attended language school when he was in the Air Force.  This was a time in his life where he did a lot of soul-searching and ultimately had to grow up pretty quickly.  This has been a very special place to him for many years.  For my parents' 25-year wedding anniversary, Uncle Gary and Aunt Cindy took them both to Monterey, where they both fell in love with it even more.  They were so excited to share a little piece of heaven with us kids, and we had the time of our lives!  Now, we can't wait to go back to share that experience with our kids!

Each day offered its own events, and everything was planned and organized perfectly!  There was never a dull moment, and each day brought us all closer and closer together.

Day 1: Arrival

Praise be -- off to Gilead

Heidi had gotten TONS of anniversary mints, so we had to get creative on where we could put them. We devised a plan to put them in their bedsheets without them looking.  Heidi created the diversion in the kitchen, while I, with my stealth-like abilities and cat-like reflexes, placed the mints and covered them up just before I heard footsteps approaching.  I fell to the floor and faked an injury to avoid being caught.  It worked. This was the picture we got later in the evening:

"Did you guys have the maid service put mints in our bed?!?!" -Grammie

The vegetation there was so neat!

Ella was taking care of Randi when we were gone.  I couldn't stop laughing at the message she sent us!

Day 2: Monterey Bay Aquarium & Fisherman's Warf

Rockfish

She was so excited to finally get her artichoke!  She was not a fan.  :(

Didn't take long for her to see the "new" shirt!

Breakin' the rules...

Surprise Anniversary Supper at Fishwife

Presentation of the "Captain's Hat"

Trying to recreate their wedding picture:

Grammie kept trying, but Papa remained unphased and unchanged.  Until...

He could sense the struggle to get the right pose...

There we go!

Well, not really.  

Cake time!  Grammie says, "I need a snitch!"

Those varmint shirts keep popping up!

I don't think you're ready for Chad's jelly.

Day 3: Carmel by the Sea, 17-Mile Drive, Pebble Beach Golfing (The Hay), Stillwater

Adam hit a shot and it landed right on the cushion in the seating area!

Grammie making friends!

Stillwater

Village Corner Restaurant

Fancy Butter

Getting a good selfie pic is always an experience!  :)

Day 4: Whale Watching & Presidio

Making Friends

Papa speaking Chinese with a fellow language student.

Tiny Seat

Birthday Beer and Lunch at Alvarado Street Brewery

Birthday Friend

Supper at El Torito

Happy Birthday, Chad!

Creepy Window Mannequins

Day 5: Picnic and Beach Sunset

I don't think you're ready for this jelly...

Click Click

Supper at Crown and Anchor

Day 6: Redwoods State Park

Get that critter!

The conductor was punching the tickets just like in Polar Express.

49ers Stadium

Supper at Yard House

The bread pudding situation became a little uncomfortable.

Day 7: Alcatraz, Scomas, San Francisco Trolly Ride, and the OG Fisherman's Warf

Click Click

Happy Hour

Grammie reading the map:

We told Papa that Grammie had the route all figured out because it's outlined on the map.  He had to go see for himself.  Haha!

Gotcha!

She's the queen of the world!

San Fran Trolley Ride

I don't think you're ready for Chad's jelly.

Separated by glass.  We could sense the sadness.

Don't worry.  We won't forget you!

We were having a party.  Heidi did not get to join.

🤣

Trolley Feet

Dinner at Scoma's

Carl!

It was interesting to learn about the tear gas pipes in the ceiling of the dining hall!

The knives were hung in front of these so you could easily see if a knife was missing.

Grammie finally was able to have a heart-to-heart wiht the "cell phone lady" from the Christmas Village.

Intense Facial Expression Picture Pose

Going Home

I was FINALLY chosen to be Navigator!  I did a great job even though I as given the position as a default because all of the other Navigators went home (insert patting myself on the back).

Papa's Cod Lunch

I think they fried the entire fish.

We had the best time ever!  Thank you, Grammie and Papa, for a once-in-a-lifetime experience!  We can't wait to go back!  :)