Carmel-by-the-Sea

Last weekend, all second-year MBAs had two days off in order to accommodate the first-year MBAs midterm schedule. It was so fun having a really long weekend. Some friends had the idea to rent a house in Carmel and it was a blast!! We probably will not have the chance to see this part of California again before we leave so it was great having the opportunity to go exploring and be together.

Point Lobos was f.r.e.e.z.i.n.g! It was beautiful and great to see but it was so windy and cold!

Hiking down to see the sea lions.

We did spot several sea lions so that made it worth it.

I had never seen a white sea lion before.

Jorgen pulling off his pouty face quite well.

We went to this secluded beach that was so gorgeous and not so cold. We went a long time ago with Justin's parents but I did not remember the stair case being like this. It was kind of sketchy getting down to the beach but we all made it.

A group shot.

This girl is all hugs!

When we left the beach, Justin and Shelley were ahead of Jorgen and me and when we came up the stairs and around the corner, we saw Justin and Shelley perched on the tree. Our friend helped Jorgen get up there too and he was so excited to be sitting in a tree!The next day, we went to the Denis the Menace park in Monterey. It was such a neat park!
There was the biggest train that children could go exploring on and Jorgen was in heaven!

The park had a huge bridge that stretched across the park.

This slide was the biggest hit! Jorgen probably went down it at least twenty times.

This little lady loves her Daddy!

I love Shell's expression here.

There was also this neat maze the children had fun running around it.Here is Shell jumping off of the tower at the center of the maze.

Two thumbs up for fabulous park play!

Afterward, we drove to Pacific Grove and fed the seagulls at another beach. Shelley was a little weary of the birds but loved seeing them and Jorgen loved watching them gobble up every piece of bread.

Justin took Jorgen exploring while Shelley and I sat on a nice bench and watched them from afar.

Dancing away on the bench.

This picture was taken especially for Nana (Justin's Mom). Pacific Grove is her favorite town. We missed having her there with us!

On our way out of town, we drove to Big Sur. Last time we went to Big Sur, Justin's boss told us to go but we never saw the beach he told us to go check out. So we made it a point to visit it this time and it was definitely worth it! The scenery was incredible. It is kind of off the beaten path so no one was there when we were there. Justin told me that after visiting this spot, Jase and his family (my brother and his family who live in Hawaii) no longer have a monopoly on pretty! :) This was breathtaking!

Jorgen and Justin were exploring and Justin let Jorgen take a few pictures with our nice camera (I would not be so nice I don't think...especially since we have a new lens...but). Jorgen took a great picture of Justin...I think he might have a future in photography!

Justin hiked up the hill and took some pictures from on top.

Can you spot us down below?

Jorgen was exploring and got stuck in some unexpected mud. Poor guy, did not like it at all!
On the 1 on our way back to Carmel.

Our last stop was visiting the Carmel Mission.
I love how Shells is looking at us in this picture! She is such a doll!

By the end of the trip, Jorgen was surprisingly sick of getting his picture taken. This was the first time he has ever not wanted his picture taken!

We are so grateful we got to go spend time with friends and be together as a family without the demands of school. We are excited for our next adventure in Texas but we will definitely miss the beauty of California!