At the End of January, My parents flew in for Aubrey's Birthday Week!
Aubrey and I drove down to Burbank to pick them up! We went across the street to Panda Express and watched the planes land and take off before my parents flight got in.
After we picked Mimi and Papa up, we went back to Panda Express for Lunch!
So Burbank is 90 miles away from Bakersfield. After Lunch we got all the way to Bakersfield and my Dad realized that he left his camera bag on the plane! After several phone calls to Southwest and the Airport, we found it! Once Brad got off work they headed back to Burbank Airport to pick it up! lol (Sorry Dad I had to include that story! Glad we found it and that we can laugh about it now!)
The next morning we went to CALM Zoo!
My Dad had a blast taking pictures and Aubrey loved the animals!
Aubrey loved having Mimi in the back seat with her! She also got a new Big Girl Car Seat! She is still rear facing though due to not being 20 pounds yet!!
When we got home from the Zoo, Mimi brought out some Valentine stickers to decorate the window with!
Although Aubrey wanted to eat them more than stick them on the window, they were still fun!
Once Brad got off work, we went to the Condors Hockey Game! We got Free Hats!
Aubrey LOVED it and loved cheering and being loud!
The next morning we got up early and headed to the coast to go to Hearst Castle!
We did the upstairs tour!
We saw all the guest bedrooms...
The Library....
Meeting room
More Bedrooms
Bathrooms...
and Balconies!
We had perfect weather up there and walked around the grounds for a couple of hours!
Aubrey fell asleep while we were adventuring around.
These flowers are so cool!
After we were done at Hearst Castle we went down the beach to where the Elephant Seals were gathered. From December-February the Females have their babies and nurse them to health. The seals then mate, eat and rest up before going out to sea for nine months!
Little seal babies nursing! They were so cute!
My Dad got a little too close to take some pictures!
This male elephant seal was giving my dad a show!
My dad was in heaven! He could have stayed there all day!
We then headed back to Bakersfield to get some rest before church the next morning.
After Church on Sunday we were getting ready for the Superbowl!!
Aubrey helped Papa make a Salmon Cheeseball.
She was a good taste tester too!
We had a pretty good spread! Wings, Fruit, Meatballs, and Salmon Cheeseball!
Pre-game pictures in our Seahawk Gear!
It was crazy sitting in Bakersfield watching the Seahawks in the Superbowl again with our almost one year old. Just a year prior we were in the Hospital in Rexburg, Idaho about to have Aubrey. I was on Bedrest and we got to watch our Seahawks win the Superbowl against the Broncos.
Aubrey was more interested in Mimi's phone than taking a picture.
Sadly we didn't get the outcome we wanted with the game but we still had a great time with great company!
Monday morning we headed back to the coast. We went to Pismo Beach to the Monarch Butterfly Grove. The butterflies migrate there before the summer! It was so cool to see them up in the trees in clusters.
After my Dad got some pictures, we then went to the beach!
The water was at low tide so we could walk out so far and collect shells!
Aubrey loved getting out of the stroller and feeling the sand with her toes!
It then lead to this!!
Luckily we brought extra clothes because she was very wet, sandy, and cold!
Once we got her clothes changed she zonked out!
One benefit of having Brad traveling while working for PCL we racked up a lot of Best Western Points. We were able to get a hotel that looked right over the beach! It was beautiful!
We went swimming and then went out to Dinner at the Brewhouse and had a wonderful evening!
The next morning, my dad took off and went to photograph more elephant seals. My mom, Aubrey and I slept in and relaxed at the hotel.
We also enjoyed out view a little longer before we had to check out!
We then went and got Cinnamon Rolls and headed to the Beach for the day!
Aubrey loved being on Papa's Shoulders and yelling at the Seagulls.
We finished up the day at the beach by going to the Dinosaur park!
Aubrey, your Papa has a story for you someday about dinosaurs!
Going to the car to travel back to Bakersfield!
The next morning was Aubrey's Birthday!!
Once Brad came home from work, It was time to PARTY!!
Out of all of the presents she was most interested in the Puffs!
Aubrey loved all of her Birthday presents. She got a membership pass for swimming lessons, a new swimming suit, clothes, books, and the Little People Princesses.
We got this adorable cake from Tastries Bakery! It was so yummy too!
Aubrey was not a fan of her party hat!
But she was in heaven with her cupcake!!
"Can I have some more Mom??"
After the cake fest we gave Aubrey a bath! Overall, she had a wonderful Birthday!
The next morning Aubrey had her first Swimming Lessons!
She did so well and loved every minute of it!!
Sadly Mimi and Papa had to go home that afternoon. After swimming lessons we met Brad for lunch and then headed down to Burbank. Our dear friends Sonia and Logan Bray met us in Burbank. Sonia is married to my childhood neighbor and they now live in Spokane. I am so glad we got to say Hello and got to get the sweet babies together!
A Big Thanks to my Mom and Dad for coming to California! We had a wonderful time and a special little girl was pretty darn spoiled! We love you Mimi and Papa!
