Beach Boy Birthday

For those that pay attention or have followed along, you know that Drew has a September birthday and that rather than give him presents, we prefer to give him memories and do something fun for his birthday.  Last year we let him pick where he wanted to go for the first time, and our little beach boy said Santa Cruz (we had just gone for Dave's birthday and he had a blast).  So when we asked where he wanted to go or what he wanted to do he first said "Go go Embassy Suites" but then relented and said he wanted to go to the Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk.

The weather was a little cooler than we would've liked - even overcast for the first part of the day.

But Drew tried to brave the chilly water anyway.  He got a few toes in but that's about it.  He preferred to play frisbee in teh sand and eat the picnic we brought.  After a bit we talked him into doing some rides.  We bought 2 wrist bands from Costco.

I did the rides with him this year because Dave hurt his knee in softball and he wasn't sure how well his knee would hold up all day riding rides.

First up, the Ferris Wheel.

A view of Dave from the Ferris Wheel line

The view of the Boardwalk from the top of the Ferris Wheel...

The beach from the top of the Ferris Wheel...

... and the other side of the boardwalk.  Thankfully the sun started to come out while we were waiting in line.


Drew on the Cave Adventure ride.


Here we are ready to go in...

 

Dave did get a chance to ride a few rides... I don't do spinny.

 

 

Drew and I on the "kiddie" freefall ride.

 

And then Drew and I took a spin on the carousal... Dave waited for the next round.  He wanted to shoot the rings at the clown and those spots were already taken.


Mommy got to take a turn on the Giant Dipper for the first time in years.  Possibly since I was a Senior in High School.


While I was on the Giant Dipper the boys were playing mini-golf.


And we had a great day at the Boardwalk and caught the shuttle back to our car. Not before being blessed with a beautiful view overlooking the boardwalk.


Once we got to our car we headed off to our traditional pizza dinner at Woodstock Pizza.

And the traditional post dinner snooze from the soon-to-be birthday boy.

We just love our Santa Cruz adventures.  It would be great if we could squeeze in one more day at the beach.
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