The Lion's Den: 2012

I can't believe it's your 5th birthday, little man. I say it a lot - but you are one cool kid. You have such a big heart - so empathetic - always concerned with how your friends and family are doing. I also love how well you know yourself at such a young age - you tell us when you need quite time - or space. You have a sense of humor that blows us away - and a million dollar smile to boot. Stubborn - oh boy, you are definitely stubborn - and you do not like change - just like your daddy - but you always come around. We love you Ben - we are so so proud of you - and we are so lucky that of all the kids God could have given us - he gave us YOU. Here are a few pics from your birthday trip to Monterey this weekend!!!

Day 1 - We drove to Monterey and stopped at The Splash Cafe in San Luis Obispo. Grandma Cindy met us there and got to wish you a happy birthday! You LOVED your wallet and $ so much that you slept with it every night on vacation.

Roadtrippin' with 3 kids, aren't you jealous?!?!? Actually Donna and I drove together with the kids - and the daddies drove separate...it kept EVERYONE sane.

Day 2 - We went to the Monterey aquarium - it was amazing! Then we took the kids to the Monterey Youth Museum - so much fun and NOT AT ALL what John was expecting. We ended the day with a great meal at Rosines.

Day 3 - We drove the 17-mile drive to Carmel - it was gorgeous! Ben decided he wanted Taco Bell at mile 3 - but we managed. ;) We had a great lunch at RG Burgers. Then we went to the Carmel Mission. The kids barely lasted because they were so looking forward to Dennis the Mennace Park in Monterey - and it did not disappoint! We ended the day at Fisherman's Wharf.

Day 4 - Time to drive home :( Before we went home though, we stopped at this zoo in Paso Robles. Ben pet a porcupine, a badger and got a birthday kiss from a mama kangaroo! When we got home we ended the day with a Thomas the Train birthday party at Grandma Sharon and Papa Joe's!