Ocean Explorers

Finally, our trip to celebrate Grandma  and Grandpa's 40th anniversary arrived! We've been waiting a long time for this adventure.

Everyone arrived on Sunday night for games and fun and we woke up early Monday morning to head to California. The cousins were very happy that they got to divide and conquer. Katelyn rode with Aunt Trina and Uncle Jonnie, KJ and Addie rode with Grandma and Grandpa, and this was our cool kids car:

We headed straight for the ocean for our whale watching expedition. Sooo excited and hopeful to see some ocean life! Some were a little nervous, but it was exciting to head out into the open ocean.

Once we pulled out of the harbor we felt the need for speed.

 Ty and Benny were especially nervous as we got going. I looked down to see this little cuteness: Benson holding onto Katelyn and Daddy holding onto them both.

We were incredibly thrilled to find ourselves in the middle of a big pod of dolphins. It was such a cool experience to watch them jumping all around us. Brought tears to my eyes! They are beautiful and so fast and united. Then --  thrill of thrills -- we saw a humpback whale! We saw it come up several times, once the Double B even found it looking back when the captain thought we'd lost him. I think he might have missed his calling! 

Here's Grandpa and his girl. I was really proud of this little lady. She was a little nervous but by about half way through she was standing at the railing enjoying the view. Champion.

I am so glad we went on that boat ride. It was honestly so cool and I had no idea that seeing a whale and dolphins like that -- in their home -- was actually on my bucket list! Very inspiring. Everybody enjoyed it a lot.