Monterey Farmers Markets

Ahhhh, Monterey Farmers Markets. Between those and the beach, they are my happy place and my pick me up. They have the same therapeutic power for me. There is literally a market in different places around the Monterey Peninsula every day of the week!

^^first time at the market! There would be four more babies if we were to have a reunion so crazy^^

When I moved here, I first visited the Friday market with my friend Amanda and referred to her guide she put together as I began checking out the markets. This site is also a great day by day schedule for all the markets. 

one of my favorite spots at the Friday market. They always have the prettiest flowers, including the amazing ranunculus from above. 

 On Tuesday night, we love to take a family walk over to the downtown market. It's easier to make the 15 minute walk than to try to park. It's more of a street fair than a market, but it has theee best strawberries for the best price! The Bay Fresh Berry Producer from Salinas. The owner is such a great guy.

^^J also loves the bird guy that comes out^^

My favorite treats from the Tuesday market: kettle corn, cucumber juice, and home brewed root beer from Pacific Grove. Yum.

 So many happy times at these markets! I plan on going every week until we move because I sure am going to miss having so many so close.

An Evening Walk to the Beach

 Last night, we told J he could have a cookie if he ate all his dinner. He did not, so he did not get a cookie. But when I told him tonight we could walk to the beach if he ate all his dinner, he sure did eat it all, and he was so excited, since it was a "sunny day" and he had found his long lost beach toys in the backyard. Victor still wasn't home (it's thesis writing time), so this was a fun little date with my babies.

For the first time in forever I took my nice camera to try and practice its settings.

 ^^that face!!^^

 Love these brothers playing! Dom would pretend to play, then run off to the water when he thought I wasn't watching.

 A sand dollar for good luck.

 ^^dang look at those curls!^^

I sure love this short walk from our house. It will definitely be what I miss most when we have to leave! Monterey you are so beautiful.

Motherhood Life Lately: How to Cure Baby Hunger

I have an announcement: I have been cured from my long standing baby hunger. I visited a friend and her newborn in the hospital a few weeks ago, and for the first time since having babies myself, I didn't have the thought, "I want one!!" I didn't think it would happen. But it has, and I now know why. Because I know what those peaceful babies become: TODDLERS.

I currently have two toddlers in my house. And for the last couple weeks, we have had some extremely challenging moments, including yesterday (Easter). Besides being able to see friends, it is not an Easter I care to remember. When my parents visited, we had similar experiences, and I totally had the mom reactions running through my head, and even saying out loud to my mom: "if only they could see how they are just on a regular basis because they aren't this bad! They're actually very sweet!" I just can't handle thinking that my friends and family, particularly my parents, may think they're wild little savages. Classic parent mindset.

For the sake of this not being an all negative post, I do include photos of the wonderful memories we are making right now with our boys, and they serve as a reminder to me that I still have it good. These boys are so much fun, and despite the frustrations, seeing the world through their eyes where everything is new to them is so rewarding. J is particularly fun. His eagerness to help cook things, his love of painting and drawing, and his enthusiasm to go on a hike or even better, to go on a trip and stay in a hotel is so much fun. He's my little buddy, and we can actually have little conversations now. He loves saying "but why mommy?" and did I mention he still calls me Mommy Annie? I love it so much, and no, I didn't teach him that, which is why I love it so much I think.

Anyway, not sure what else I could add to this except for the words of Mr. Dickens:
It was the best of times, it was the worst of times!

Motherhood, man.

PS for the record, I'm not entirely sworn off having more babies, but as of right now, I do think I will have to be convinced somehow to do so. Maybe some kind of bribe from my husband, perhaps?? ;)

A Scene out of National Geographic at Point Lobos

Point Lobos is gorgeous all year, but right now it's simply awesome. It's pupping season, meaning all the seals are giving birth. It's also wildflower season, so that's always a favorite, and the sea otters were being extra active while we were there as well. Oh, and the birds. And whales off in the distance! This place is extraordinary.

The seals like to give birth to their pups at China Cove, an incredibly beautiful beach cove with calm waters. There were no seals on the beach like there usually are at this time--they were all out in the cove swimming with their brand new pups. There was still blood on the beach!

 Yes, that's a backpack leash. He darts off so quickly. What is to be done?? ha.

 ^^the joys of hiking with toddlers. they made it really not so fun. I block that and just remember the good stuff.^^

 We had a little picnic after with delicious baguette sandwiches and macarons from Lafayette Bakery in Carmel. And fresh strawberries from the farmers market. After a very rainy winter, my strawberry guy is back! It's a great time of year in Monterey.

The Carmel Mission

On my Monterey bucket list has been the Carmel Mission for a really long time. I drive by it all the time and think I really need to go--time's a tickin! Well, I am glad that I waited, because my mom and dad visited this week, and my mom said she really wanted to visit the mission. It made it so much more enjoyable to go with someone who really wants to go too. No offense to Victor, who willingly comes with me when I ask him, but I don't think he would have loved it as much as me and my mom ;)

One of my favorite things about living in this area is the Spanish architecture (as you can see from my last post on where I have wanted to take family photos for a long time). The Mission is full of it, since it was built by the Spanish priests who were here in the 1700s. Not sure if this is true, but everyone here says that the Carmel Mission was Junipero Sera's favorite. Junipero was the head priest (don't know the Catholic terms ha!) and is a big part of that Spanish history here in California.  

^^the inside was lovely too. It's also where Junipero is buried^^

Lovely gardens, lovely place. Glad I finally made it!