In love in Carmel....

Camera, check! I'm ready to document our first overnight away from Ava. Yes, Brad and I have both left her for the weekend, but never together. In 25 months she's never been a day without one of us!! IT WAS TIME. Brad booked us a room in Carmel. We got there parked the car and never got back in it until it was time to come home :)

It was a beautiful drive down the coast. We got to talk!! Not that we don't talk, but really talk and connect, uninterrupted. There's something about going away together that made us appreciate how important it is to be alone sometimes. It's a way to grow more together as a couple and as friends. And we did.

When we stopped for lunch in Moss Landing I was taken back at the color and textures around us. This green house, aged with fresh salt water air,  against the neutral beach colors was beautiful to me.

And whaddaya know?! My scarf matched perfectly!! click :)!

We ate at all the restaurants that our neighbors recommended. This one was delicious. Crab cake sandwiches. We'll be back with Ava, for sure!

on our way back to the car I noticed a little path and I said, "let's see where it takes us." Brad said "yeah, we have nowhere to be, no time limit." That's exactly what I love about being at any beach. That's how I feel. This beach was beautiful. It was just me and Brad and the fog horn. Can you believe it?! (ok, there were a couple other people there, but no more than 5) :)

I am such a dork, but Brad turned on the camera and caught me running and dancing in the sand. I was SO happy to be there and filled with joy. The beach cleanses my soul and I needed that.

we just hung out there and I played with my camera, trying to learn how to set the right shutter speed. Tricky, but super important for a nice picture.

my love

We stayed at a place called La Playa. I'm not a fan of speaking in superlatives, but really, this place couldn't have been more perfect for this trip.

It was Mediterranean feeling. My favorite.

And simple, but comfortable and clean.

As soon as we dropped off our bag, we headed down to carmel beach. On the walk down I could have taken hundreds of photos of everyone's home, their garages, anything! There is so much character in Carmel. I felt like I didn't see the same thing twice, unless we walked by it twice ;)

The beach is white sand!!! We both commented that it felt like we were in Hawaii. Hawaii, and 1 hour from our house!

and the color of the water was a beautiful turquoise. I really wanted to go in, it was so clear and not too too cold, but it was too chilly outside. Too windy.

Brad's feet. Pretty nice looking for feet, I have to say :)

we laid on the beach together and rested, taking in the sun and salt air. It was warm lying down.

we walked through town. These are the kinds of shops there are in Carmel. Like a fairy tale, the Cottage of Sweets. Super cute! And they had Marzipan!!!!!!!! We bought some, of course!

We ate dinner at Casanova's

beautiful Italian, Spanish feel. Exquisite food. (Thank you Hsiaolei, for recommending it!)

Brad had mussels

We got coffee and desert here.

And walked back to our room to sit by the window and watch the sun set.

We sat there until the first star came out and until we realized it was completely dark in our room. It was a nice way to end the day.

The next day we slept in until 9am! And and headed to the beach after breakfast. We just read and chilled. Listening to the waves. It was really relaxing.

At 2:30 we got some lunch and headed home to see our little princess. Ava stayed with Grandma and Grandpa. She was so excited to see them on Tuesday morning she barely noticed that we left! When we called to check in on her they asked if she wanted to say hi, she said (her favorite word) "no!". We knew that was a really good sign. She was so happy and comfortable with them and we are so grateful to them for taking time out of their week to watch her. The cutest story they told us: When she woke from her nap on Tuesday afternoon she called for me (they were watching her on the monitor), then she shrugged her shoulders, let out a little sigh, and called out "Gamma, Gampa!?" She's so smart and sure knows how to get what she wants and needs. :)

Bye, Carmel! thank you for a wonderful overnight and beautiful weather! And thank you Brad for planning this. You are so sweet and a romantic at heart! xoxo