Last California post.... but technically, Nevada.

As if flying across the world wasn't enough, we decided to drive across the border to Reno, Nevada for a visit with friends and family.

We use to spend a lot of time in these parts when we were younger.

I always got a bloody nose while there.

Wish I could say this time was different.

Oh well.

Anyways, we stayed at Boomtown because it's close to my Aunt & Uncle's home and because there is a lot of stuff to do there... especially when you're still jet lagged and walking a few hundred yards exhausts you. True story.

I did fight the urge to go to bed at 10 o'clock one evening so Chad and I could play arcade games and have a drink.

It was rough though.

I had to play 18 consecutive games of skee ball to avoid falling asleep while standing.

Playing 18 consecutive games of skee ball also allows you to earn enough points for a giant stuffed Elmo.

Victory.

It was pretty fun.

Plus, Rhett got to ride some kiddie specific rides at Boomtown.

And, really, is there anything cuter than their little confused faces as they circle repetitively on goofy looking animals?

No, there is not.

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Boomtown Hotel & Casino

I-80 Exit 4

Reno, NV 89439

Monterey Bay Aquarium

If you are ever in California (which I pray you will) you must visit the coast.

If you visit California and don't stand at the edge of the world looking into the Pacific you've committed a serious wrong doing in my eyes.

Even though I grew up in California, I still love visiting San Francisco, Monterey, and Santa Cruz.

It just never gets old....

On this most recent trip we decided (along with the entire family) to visit the Monterey Bay Aquarium for the day.

I have lots of fond memories here both as a child and as an adult.

Last time I visited the aquarium, Chad and I were on our honeymoon.

I couldn't help but giggle at the fact that I was now bringing Rhett there.

Sometimes you take those little experiences for granted but as a military spouse living far from where I grew up... I loved sharing something of my childhood with the little man.

Anyways, this is a great place for families and children- trust me when I say this because there were about 7 kids, 13 adults and we all enjoyed it!

We started our day with a picnic and play time at Dennis the Menace park in Monterey.

The weather was gorgeous - could NOT be better.

The park was awesome, offering a variety of play areas for children of all ages.

However, if we thought this would tire these kids out- we were sorely mistaken!

I can't even recall Rhett napping this day...

After finishing up lunch and wrangling all the kiddos, we headed to the aquarium.

We purchased our tickets through AAA so we went right in....

no waiting in line necessary!

The aquarium really is fantastic.

We spent hours there and if we weren't totally exhausted from chasing after children- we could have spent MORE time visiting different exhibits.

We ended our day with a walk down Cannery Row followed by dinner and a very quiet drive home....

courtesy of an exhausted baby boy!

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If Chad had been here, I think the below picture would have been Christmas card material.

Oh well.

This is at Casa De Fruta where you could spend a day.

Train rides, peacocks, casa de any food or drink you'd like...

Read about last year's California visit here.

Monterey Bay Aquarium

886 Cannery Row

Monterey, Ca 93940

Dennis the Menace Park

Information here.

Casa De Fruta

10021 Pacheco Pass Hwy

Hollister, CA 95023

Here's hoping to one day be stationed here.

One can always dream, right?

So yesterday wasn't very promising...

yeah, about that.

I sincerely planned on blogging yesterday but the weather was so nice that it called us to the park, for a dog walk and a chit chat with our neighbor.

Plus, we have to stock up on our Vitamin D whenever we can here in Stuttgart.

Speaking of nice weather... I'm so happy to still have some sunshine in my life for it would have made the transition from California to Germany that much more difficult if it had been gray.

Rhett & I got incredibly spoiled the last 4 weeks with gobs of gorgeous rays.

We did some lovely day trips but mostly the little man and I were consumed by bubbles, sidewalk chalk, wagon rides and hummingbirds.

Oh and In & Out.

Exactly what comes to mind when I think- California.

Besides family that is.

If Rhett could speak words that don't sound alien and make sense of what he's just been through he'd probably tell you his favorite part of the trip was flying the kite with Papa.

Or playing with his cousins.

Or going outside with Nonni in the mornings.

Actually, I'm not really sure what he'd say because he looked like he enjoyed it all.

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I would like to add here that on this trip Rhett outgrew the pants below and the shoes. All the sunshine maybe?

Oh "home", you were good to us-

but damn, it feels good to be home.

Let's just pretend I was never gone.

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For the past month we did some of this...

Lots of this...

Lord knows too much of THIS...

Enjoyed this...

definitely this...

this (minus the allergies part)...

and a little too much of this. Seriously. Too much of a good thing.

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Somewhere between December and February we started feeling really out of sorts.

Bad news. Bad news. Bad news. Miscarriage.

By February 15, we needed a break. Officially.

The only place to go when you're like that is "home."

You know... the home where you grew up in.

Where it doesn't matter how it's changed since you've left- it still feels the same.

Where you know the back streets.

The neighbors.

Oh, You know that place.

So that's where we have been... doing all sorts of things fabulously outside of our routine.

And although there is so much to share, and I promise I will,

jet lag has gotten the best of me today.

But tomorrow has promise.

Until then...