Little Getaway

Sometimes you just need a couple of days away. That's exactly how we felt at the end of August. We had nothing planned so we packed up the car and headed down to the South Bay. It took no time to get there but we still planned to stay the night.

We started our Saturday with a trip to El Segundo for lunch at El Tarasco. The only thing about El Tarasco that has changed is the prices. Everything else on the menu and in the restaurant is exactly the same. It felt like home. Tyler enjoyed the Carne Asada - he's just like his mommy and daddy.

We then continued on down to Redondo Beach to visit the Sea Lab. It is just a cute little place where we learned about different sea creatures and even got to touch a few. Tyler was not too in to touching the live animals in the tanks because the water was too cold. But Daddy and Mommy braved it and touched a sea urchin - the tentacles are so tickly and sticky. We also touched a spiny lobster. These lobsters don't pinch, they use their spiny shells to keep them protected. We also got to touch starfish.

Inside the sea lab we got to see mini shrimp and a handful of beautiful sea horses! For as small of a place as it is, it sure was wonderful to visit. I hope we make a trip back soon!

 

Checking out the mini shrimp. They were teeny tiny!

Checking out the fish in front of the Sea Lab.

Daddy and Tyler being brave - petting the stingray. I should say, Tyler was brave...Daddy, not so much! But then again, we know how Daddy does with stingrays.

Starfish!

Beautiful seahorses!

We then headed down to the beach. Tyler was very grouchy and we'd hoped the water would cheer him up. And cheer him up, IT DID!!!

Did I mention he was grouchy? Look at that face!

Ooh, it's cold!!!

Let's do it again, this time let's be brave.

I love this boy!

Collecting sand.

They are having too much fun!

 This was Dylan's first visit to the beach. Unfortunately he just slept in the Ergo on Mommy and didn't get to enjoy all that the beach has to offer.

We then checked in to the Embassy Suites in El Segundo. The last time we had stayed there was the night before our wedding. Again, nothing has changed. It's just the way we both remembered. It was wonderful! We went swimming and then because Tyler had not napped he was not in the mood for dinner. So Collin went to get take out from Canton Low and brought it back to the room. In the long run, it was the perfect end to a wonderful day!

Sunday morning we ate breakfast at the hotel and then headed to the beach. This time Dylan got to experience the beach. He LOVED the sand. He didn't try to eat it, just enjoyed playing with it in his hand. Definitely a difference from Tyler's first beach experience!
 

The boys - the love these two share is amazing!

Daddy and Tyler built a sandcastle.

Dylan took a nap.

After a nap, touching sand for the first time.

He never did try to eat it!

Loving the beach!

And this was Tyler's first experience at the beach. Can you tell how much he loved it?

Tyler's first beach visit was August 16, 2009. Dylan's first visit was August 19, 2013. Four years apart almost to the day. That's how many of these milestones are turning out to be.

Sometimes you just need a night away. What a difference that made for all of us. It was the perfect getaway. The only one who didn't love it...poor Mongo who was left at home.