Picking strawberries by the ocean

Off highway 1 just outside of Santa Cruz, there is an adorable organic pick your own strawberry farm. Take it from Ly, the berries are delicious and provide an excellent snack for a drive down the coast.

Santa Cruz Boardwalk

Santa Cruz boasts one of the only remaining boardwalks on the west coast. It was built a long time ago and has all sorts of things - rides, boardwalk food, sand, surf, arcades and little shops. Ly and Lily were especially excited when everyone decided to spend an entire day at the boardwalk -- complete with an unlimited rides bracelet. It was the first time in their entire lives that they ever got to ride fair rides and boy was it an experience to remember.

Ly loved all the spinning rides and was so proud of herself for getting out of her comfort zone to ride rides that might seem scary. Alan enjoyed the old fashioned carousel that had a ring you grab and throw into a bin...he was the only one in the group that managed to get one in. Later in the afternoon, everyone played laser tag and pirates mini golf. The day topped off with some games in the arcade (Ly's dad smashed Ly at air hockey) and some yummy ice cream on the boardwalk.

All in all, Ly didn't have much time to take photos because she was too busy having a blast but it was certainly a day to remember and she recommends that everyone spend some time at the boardwalk when in Santa Cruz.

Natural Bridges Beach

After Lily's graduation, everyone went to Natural Bridges so Ly could get her beach fix and Alan could attempt to throw Ly and Lily into the freezing cold water (don't worry, he didn't succeed). It was a small, quaint spot where Ly enjoyed taking photos, feeling the sand between her toes, the wind in her hair, hearing the crashing of the waves, and smelling the salty air. Ly loves the beach and misses California beaches so much. Here's hoping Alan gets into a residency program near the ocean.

Lily: UCSC Class of 2011 Graduate

The main reason Ly+Alan went to California was to see Lily graduate from UC Santa Cruz. They got up super early and saved seats for the rest of the family and sat in the sun for hours during many very interesting commencement speeches in not one, not two, but three different languages. Good thing Ly loves Lily lots. The best part, obviously, was cheering loudly for Lily as she walked across the stage to receive her "diploma". Nevertheless, Ly+Alan were glad to partake in Lily's special day and celebrate her academic achievements.

Ly can't believe her little sister is all grown up and a college graduate! What happened to the days of playing school at home complete with a timed schedule, homework assignments and scheduled lunch time? Time flies! Congrats Lil - you deserve it...can't wait to see what adventures life takes you on next!

*It was a fake diploma. Lily graduated early and her diploma was sent to her in the mail many months prior.

Muir Woods...a photo only post

California Highway 1

Recently Ly+Alan took a trip to Northern California to hang out with Ly's family and explore what Northern California has to offer. Of course they were not there for months at a time so they didn't have time to do everything. But one of the things they did do was drive on Highway 1 by the ocean. Alan had never driven on it before so it was a new experience for him. Ly had, of course, been up and down highway 1 multiple times and still got car sick from the curvy roads. This time Ly+Alan drove to Point Reyes National Seashore and stopped at Muir Beach for some fresh air and photo taking. The drive was beautiful -- California is such a gorgeous state that has it all - the ocean, mountains, trees, deserts...and sunshine. =)