Fishy Business

Note to self: Babies + Aquariums = Watery goodness

Chris and I have looked forward to having kiddos for a long time so that we don't have to feel awkward about visiting child-oriented places without a child in tow. For years, we have had a running joke about our imaginary "little Jimmy"s bad behavior -- we'd had to just lock him in the trunk while we toured the zoo/children's museum/kiddie park. The boys are still pretty small to legitimize our attendance at the science museum or Where's Waldo art gallery. The Aquarium, however, is a different story!

In fact, one of the highlights of our trip was a visit to the Long Beach Aquarium. When you think about it, it makes sense. Even though the boys aren't consistently rolling over or reaching for objects, they have the key skills you need for an exciting Aquarium experience: (1.) track colorful objects with your eyes, and (2.) React!

Elias contemplates life under da sea

It is hard to tear my eyes away!

Fish enjoy their observation time in the Baby-arium (while Gabe puts on a good show)

Long Beach Dub-le All Stars

WE SURVIVED OUR FIRST FAMILY VACATION!!!!

That's right! We packed up 150+ lbs of crap, drove it all an hour to the airport, unloaded it, parked the car, navigated security, rode on a plane, got a rental car, drove to the hotel, went to the beach, went to the aquarium, saw cool cousins, went to Hermosa beach, walked around a ton, went to lots of different restaurants, watched movies, re-packed 130 lbs of crap (we were light a couple of diapers), checked out of the hotel, drove to the airport, unloaded and returned the rental car, checked in, navigated security, rode on a plane, re-loaded the car and drove an hour home...with two infants!!!! In retrospect, I'm pretty sure this qualifies as clinical and legal insanity...or extreme stupidity... but either way, we had a pretty good time doing everything. :-) The boys did great on the plane and in the airport; it was harder for Chris and I to manage all their stuff! It was pretty comical trying to get 2 carseats, the stroller, two diaper bags, and a pump through security while balancing two babies and trying to make sure we had our keys/phones/shoes/jackets/baby carriers/breastmilk out and on the conveyer.

Below is photographic evidence that we acutally pulled this off:


Family photo off Ocean Blvd in Long Beach -- taken by very kind transient guy with dog.

Chris and Gabe's Beach Sunset Self-portrait

Chris and Gabe in front of light house

We decided to splurge on a hotel room for this trip; Kathy was paranoid about germs from a dirty room, etc. It ended up being a TERRIFIC decision. With naps, etc. we ended up spending more time in the hotel room than we have on any other vacation and it was terrific to be in a spacious, clean, aesthetically pleasing room. The boys enjoyed having a "play bed" while we were there with lots of fluffy pillows and room to stretch out!

AAAHHHH! This is the life!