Thanksgiving week in Monterey

We spent our 2015 Thanksgiving break camping in Monterey with Gram and Papa. This was our first time camping in their trailer and definitely a great first experience! It was funny how many people thought we were crazy for going camping for Thanksgiving, but I thought it was the perfect way to celebrate the holiday.  Madi did a fabulous day by day documentation of our trip on her blog, so I'm just gonna sum up the highlights! 

We got in Tuesday evening in time for dinner and an early Christmas celebration! My mom couldn't wait to pass out presents! Cal was thrilled about getting his Pete the Cat and 3 hard back Pete the Cat books! We all knew what was coming for Madi (especially after Elle got an American Girl doll for her birthday), but Madi didn't know which doll she would be getting!

There was SO MUCH EXCITEMENT opening that present! I loved how excited Elle was for Madi. 

Madi was surprised and thrilled about getting Caroline!

She couldn't stop smiling and didn't want to put Caroline down!

We had a fabulous first nights sleep and quickly decided that trailer camping is the only way to go! A table to eat at, comfy bed to sleep in, warm shower every morning, running water for dishes, teeth brushing, and face washing . . . it was high living! 

Mom did all the meal prep (she's amazing) - all I really brought was snacks. Pancakes on the mornings we had more time. . . 

Cold cereal on the mornings that we wanted to get going quick. . . 

The mornings and evenings were cold (us southern Californians were freezing), but the days warmed up to the high 50's and we were able to get out and check out some of the cool parks in Monterey.  

Then we'd come home and get a fire started.  

S'mores with the kids after dinner:

Chocolate pie by the fire for the adults after all kids were snuggled into bed: 

Story time time with Gram was the highlight of every night. I love the special time my parents always make with their grandkids - these sweet moments melt my heart and I can never resist snapping a picture. 

All taken on different days . . . 

wearing different jammies . . . 

We made a before Thanksgiving Costco run and an after Thanksgiving stop too. 

It was in the Costco parking lot that Elle's second tooth fell out. So we celebrated with ice cream of course!! 

We made 2 trips to the aquarium- one on Wednesday and the second on Thanksgiving morning. 

We can never get enough of the deep sea!

Gram had a cute little craft for the kids to do Thanksgiving afternoon- a thank you for those who serve us. They took one down to the people who helped organize our great Thanksgiving meal. 

What a fabulous Thanksgiving  dinner we shared with the other fellow RV campers. Everyone brought something to share and we met a bunch of new people from all over. Isn't that how Thanksgiving originated anyhow! It was a great meal and good company!

I wish we would have gone back to the trailer afterwards to talk about all our blessings and take time to share things we're thankful for - that would have helped cap off the day.

We ended up heading straight to the beach though for some kite flying which the kids all loved! 

There's a great walking path that took us straight out to the ocean. I'm excited to go back in the summer when it's warmer - I had to wear 4 jackets to be quasi comfortable. 

Spencer enjoying some kite flying:

We stayed till sunset. My hands and feet were totally numb by that point, but it sure was nice to enjoy a gorgeous Thanksgiving afternoon/evening together!

Friday morning we got up early and went to check out the butterfly sanctuary. 

It was a quick visit so we decided to do the Pebble Beach 17-mile drive - one of the most famous scenic drives in the world! We followed our little map and read about all the points of interest along the way. It was cold and we were perfectly content staying in the car to enjoy all the beauty, but we had to get out to take a couple pictures along the way. 

Cypress Point Lookout

The Lone Cypress

Friday afternoon the kids met some fun neighbor kids and played reverse hide-n-go seek at the park behind our camping spot. They had so much fun and came in at dark claiming they had new best friends! Too bad we had to pack up and leave the next morning. 

HUGE thank you to Gram and Papa for organizing this fun Thanksgiving adventure and sharing their trailer with us. Looking forward to a warmer camping experience this summer!!