the May's

yeesh, it's already been a month, but we went to visit the May's in early-September, and we actually stayed for more than just a weekend and it was so much fun. we got to spend some serious time with the family, and Molly loved every minute of it.

we spent our first day there at uncle John and auntie Laurie's place, which is beautiful! once Molly woke up from her nap (she fell asleep on the way over from the airport) we fed apples to the deer, we had a most delicious lunch, and we ran around the front yard with all the dogs. Molly loves her uncle John so much, and they played together lots. i didn't have older siblings growing up, but uncle John was like a big brother to me and watching he and Molly play reminded me again of all the great times i had playing with him growing up (and still do!). the times he would let me wrap my arms around his neck and he'd swim me across the pool under water. the times he would tickle me mercilessly. the time he caught me spraying whip cream into my mouth straight from the canister...uncle John is one the greatest guys out there, and Molly is very lucky to have him as her uncle too! here is a little slideshow of them playing together.


we also got to spend a day at Papa (Molly's great-grandfather) and Sharon's house in San Jose. once again, we showed up with Molly asleep but she didn't stay asleep for long and she woke up to more amazing food (the May's really can cook!). we went for rides in the golf cart and saw ducks and geese and horses. we played with our tricycle in the driveway. and we helped Papa feed the birds. it means so much to me that Molly knows her Papa, and my hope is that someday soon Papa, uncle John, Molly and i can all go camping together - and they can teach her the ropes - how to set up a tent, how to fish, and all that good stuff!!


we had a BBQ at my mom's for Labor Day and the whole family came. Grandma Nancy had decked the place out with a new play kitchen for Molly and a sandbox. Molly loved whipping up some food in her new kitchen (with real working faucet), and she loved getting sand everywhere while playing in the sandbox. so basically, we had "Molly TV" where we all watched her play and run around. Zero got right in the ol' sandbox with her, which was pretty cute. and after more scrumptious food, we had cake in an early celebration of both my and molly's birthdays.


the next day we went to the Monterrey Bay Aquarium and had such a good time! thankfully Grandma's cell phone takes a pretty decent picture, because we all forgot our cameras. we saw otters, and penguins, and sharks. we touched star fish. we stood under a crashing wave. what a fantastic place!


we also managed to squeeze in dinner with the LAHS (Los Altos High School) crew while we were there. below is a shot of us all hanging out at Sandra and Jason's place.


and Molly was an amazing traveler, once again. that girl is so flexible and ready to have fun. it's such a pleasure doing these things with her and that's saying something because i am a bit of a freak about traveling. so the fact that i can do it with a toddler in tow, and have fun! well, she is obviously someone very, very special!

hip, hip, hurray for the Mays!