A walk on the beach...

 

We have found a new favorite beach in Carmel... I am reluctant to share it because it seems like it is our very own.  Only a few people walk along the path and for whatever reason, Jed likes it (he hates most other beaches)... go figure.  All that to say, if you really want to know where it is, it may cost you!  

 Jed loved sitting on the rocks and throwing the sand into a tide pool with grandma D and Bapa.  

 And of course, jumping off the rocks into the sand... where ever daddy went, Jed followed (or tried to).  

 Walking along the trail as a family of 4.

 More sand throwing.

 One of my favorite pictures... Mr. Jed was picking the sand out of Bapa's hand.  It was a precious moment.

Monterey Bay Aquarium

 

We spent memorial day weekend with my parents in Carmel.  It is always such a relaxing time over there, great weather, great company.  My parents are always so generous and they decided to get us aquarium passes for 2 adults and 2 guests for 2 years!  With how much we are over there, I have a feeling it will totally be worth it!  Jed has been to an aquarium before, but nothing like this!  It was also my first time since 5th grade, which was a LONG time ago!  

The kelp forest is amazing!  Jed loved looking at all of the fish swim by...

 I think the bird enclosure was his favorite (of the live animals)!  He kept "quacking" at the ducks!  

 Jed absolutely loves all of his grandparents.  He gets sooo excited to see them and when he gets a whole weekend, he is in heaven!  

 He wanted to go swimming with the fish so bad!

 Two focused boys... studying every move of the birds, my dad was teaching him all about them!

 We tried taking pictures under the wave (if you haven't been there, a huge amount of water goes over a glass dome)... Jed was a little confused by it.  He liked the wave more from the outside!  

 Taking a picture next to the hanging whales... I am 25 weeks here.

 The beautiful jellyfish were back lit... so gorgeous!

 More then anything, Jed LOVED pushing the buttons in the kids area!!!!  He was more engaged here than in any of the exhibits!

 Afterwards, we went to the wharf to eat some clam chowder (always good)...  We post so many cute pictures of our kids.  What we rarely post are the 10 pictures surround that one smile.  Here is what really happens!  

Overall, it was one memorable weekend!  We had so much fun exploring, relaxing and enjoying family!

Our final day with WSM Student Leadership

It has been such a pleasure serving with WSM (Well Student Ministries).  Jesse has been serving for 8 years already... since we have been dating!  I joined in when we got married 5 years ago.  We don't know life together without students around!  During the school year on Sunday nights, we have student leadership meetings where we have lots of fun learning the Bible, doing complicated and at times impossible challenges, and living in community.  After Sunday nights, we usually gather and watch Amazing Race at our house with ice cream and sprinkles... mmmm... how I will miss that (or maybe we keep that tradition)... We love movie nights with everyone, watching movies from Jesse and my generation (stuff they haven't heard of)... good wholesome humor (usually)... water basketball nights with only a few minor injuries (stitches, bleeding feet, black eyes...).  We will truly miss seeing the students every week!

To say our big goodbye and wish the seniors a grand farewell, we decided to head to Hanford on the train for a little (actually a lot if you know the serving size) Superior Dairy Ice Cream.  It was a HOT day so I was glad we were in for some cold ice cream.  

 After Hanford, we headed back to my parents house for a BBQ and some pool fun.

 WSM Student Leadership 2011-2012

 The Smiths also serve with us... Zach, Dorothy and Grace (who turned 1 this month).

 Challenge: get entire team across the pool using 2 wooden 2 x 6 boards, duct tape and fill a bucket with water on the other side with a tube.  It was awesome to watch everyone work together.

 And, just for fun, lets try to make a boat... next time, they will work on the floating element...

We close a beautiful chapter in our lives (for now)... we truly love working with high school students, love seeing them grow and mature and are going to miss them like crazy!    

Happy Mother's Day!

 I am such a bad photographer because I didn't get ANY pictures with my mom on mother's day!!!  SOO sad!  It was a fantastic day none the less.  All I asked for was to sleep in a bit.  Jed has been waking up sooo early.  So, Jesse accommodated my wishes and before Jed woke me up, Jesse got him and played with him.  My gift this year was a little bistro table set up in my courtyard so I could watch Jed and read or have a snack.  I LOVE IT!!!  The boys set it up and when I woke up, Jesse popped in some cinnamon rolls and we had fresh cherries in our courtyard.  Funny side note... I commented to Jesse that he must have been reading my mind about cinnamon rolls... he said, "No... you asked for them"... must have been one of my pregnancy food mutterings!  We headed to my parents for a late 2nd breakfast... who needs only one???  

My grandma recently had neck surgery, which explains the brace.  Jed was so tired and went to sleep before people came over and of course, slept the entire time!  It was a relaxing meal... home made pancakes, bacon, fresh berries and potatoes... mmmm...

Later in the afternoon, we decided to enjoy the big pool and little pool... Jed wanted to go back and forth!  

 Splash splash splash!

 Hmmm... what is this dog doing here?  He was intrigued at first then decided he would splash Arla.

 A bit hot or "aat" as Jed says.  Thanks grandma D!

 Jed and mommy watching "Bapa" (my dad's name given by Jed) do canon balls, jack knives, dives... into the big pool.  JED LOVED IT SO MUCH!

 It started with claps... then sign language for more (seen below)...

 ... then sign language for please...

 ... then body language for NOW!!!...  

It was so cute.  He was so excited about Bapa's big splashes that he couldn't wait for him to swim to the step and get to the diving board. Hilarious!  It was a very special mother's day... one to remember!

Annual Alameda Trip in April

 For the past couple of years, the Penner clan has packed up and headed to Alameda (across the bay from San Francisco) and entrusted our weekend to the schedule Christy and Aaron have planned!  It is always a blast!  This year, we left Friday afternoon and arrived in time for a sushi FEAST!!! Blake and Christy were hilarious... if only I could eat raw sushi, I would have been right there with them!  Lets just say there was a bit left over.

 Jed and mommy with Uncle Aaron and Aunt TT

 It may look like we finished it off, but there was just no way!

 On Saturday morning, we headed to the Oakland Zoo.  It was beautiful, warm and a fun day! Jed absolutely loved seeing the animals.  They were all out and active!  We saw the little bear in the background snoozing away.  Mommy bear was climbing up the structure which was about 25 feet in the air.  So fun!

 Monkeys... Jed learned to say "monkey"... "ooh, ooh, eeh, eeh, aah, aah"... it was fun to see him connect the books with the real animals!

 In a turtle shell.

 Blake riding a turtle named Aubrey Rose.

 Uncle Aaron and Jed going through the kid door to the reptile room.

 The petting zoo.  Jed wasn't the hugest fan for whatever reason.  Maybe next year!

 Male bonding!!

 A man after my own heart... Jed loves washing his hands.  it is so cute!  He kept going back for more!

 On Sunday, uncle Aaron picked a fabulous park for the kids to play in and we enjoyed sitting back and relaxing!  Thanks again for a wonderful weekend!