cutie

I have to take a break from the vacation update to just say- how cute is she?! It is 86 degrees here in Santa Maria today- it is BEAUTIFUL. So the girls all wore their sundresses, including Emma. This is my favorite little girlie sundress hand-me down from Bella and Ab- doesn't she look so cute! And she let me put her hair up and she actually left it in for once! Yay!

Downtown LA

OK, so day 2! We started off at Target in Hermosa Beach- we accidentally forget an entire suitcase of the girls (oops). It was fine since these are Targets everywhere!! So after some nightgown & sock purchases- off we went to Downtown LA.

Driving into LA, past the Staples Center was pretty cool- we'd never been Downtown before- so I have always sort of felt like I'd never 'officially' been to LA. Down the blocks we drove wondering if we would be safe at our destination! When we finally found Santee St. we knew if would be fine. People were everywhere and vendors were ready for us! Santee Alley is in the Fashion District and they describe it as something like a foreign market where bartering and haggling is encouraged. Walls of purses and sunglasses- note it says "babe" not "bebe"....hmmmm. Might be a knock off? But there were clothes and shoes and shoes and more shoes- $10 a pair! and they were cute! So Carol bought about 10 purses for everyone ;).......and we had a really fun time avoiding the bacon-wrapped hot dogs. And I am DEFINITELY making another trip sometime soon!!

So after that adventure we headed back to Hollywood for a hot dog at the famous Pink's Hot Dog Stand. Apparently it is a celebrity hang out with- yes, valet parking. They had hot dogs named after the celebrities who ordered them and autographed photos all over the walls. It was pretty fun- but we didn't see anyone famous. Oh well.

Finally we were off to Disneyland. We had dinner in Downtown Disney at the Rainforest Cafe (which was SO fun- they have thunderstorms every 15 minutes..... which Emma was not thrilled about). We had a fun dinner- great hot wings- and headed back to the hotel. The girls were very ready to go to Disney, but we had to wait one more night...so we all got to bed early so we could be at the gates when they opened.....but I'll save that for the next blog!! :)

Hollywood!

Our first stop in LA was Hollywood and Highland. It was the day after the Oscars, so it was all still gated off from the red carpet! That made it exciting! In the first picture you can see the curtain still hanging in the entrance to the Kodak Theatre and the giant Oscar still standing there. By the time we left almost all of it had been taken down! We had watched the Oscars so it was like an added bonus to be right there next to the red carpet and inside the hallway entrance to the Kodak!

We walked down to Grauman's Chinese Theatre and looked at all the hand and footprints that are in the foyer there. There were all kinds of people dressed up like characters.....it was kinda shady....especially the giant and sort of dirty Elmo. We kept the kids away. Yes.

They were giving away tickets to some talk show...but we had the kids....so we just hopped back in the car and drove down Sunset Blvd where we passed by The Viper Room, The Whisky (the "dump") :) and The Roxy....all pretty exciting to see after always hearing about.

Next came Beverly Hills, the Beverly Hills Hotel and Rodeo Drive. We didn't get out....we just drove through. Then we got on some over crowded(!) highway to Redondo Beach where we stayed the night. Todd and I had dinner on the Pier while Fred and Carol watched the kids. Exciting day 1 in LA!

We're back.

Quickly, we had an amazing time in LA and at Disneyland last week. We're back and attempting to get back into the flow of everyday life. I will post some pics of our vacation soon along with some of the highlights of our trip for you all to read when I get a few minutes. Just wanted to let you know we're home safe and sound!

oh, the snow....

This is a picture from the Akron Beacon Journal! Look at all that snow!! Am I jealous? Do you even need to ask? I miss the snow SO much! Look at that wonderful blizzard. While I sit here in the sunshine, windows open and gentle breeze, thinking about the outdoor Valentine's Day party we attended yesterday at the park I am actually wishing I was all bundled up walking through the wintery wonderland!!!

An old friend called yesterday. She had just sent her kids out with her husband to go sledding. She was building a fire in the fireplace and drinking some hot tea, watching the snow fall from the sky. Beautiful. Wish I were there!!

Another friend is moving from her life-long home of California to the cold of the east coast tomorrow. Todd and I told her she might need to wear boots and coats and sweaters and gloves and scarves. She was afraid!! I also told her to go for a walk in the snow and throw snowballs and go sledding. It will be so fun!

So have fun in the snow!!! It will be Spring soon......right?

The Monarchs

Yesterday we went on another CAVA outing- this time to see the Monarch Butterflies in Pismo Beach. There weren't quite as many as there have been in the past, but there were still about 15,000! The girls learned about how the butterfly grows, the characteristics of the male and female and the migratory patterns. It was pretty neat when we saw one flutter down and land on the ground. Isabella immediately said- that is a boy butterfly. She could tell from the markings! When we looked up in the trees, we could not see them at first. All of the butterflies sort of clump together! We thought they were just leaves! But when we looked closer, we could see that they were actually Monarch Butterflies!

randomly fun

Well, it has been a beautiful weekend here on the Central Coast. Yesterday we had a great family day. We all trucked up to San Luis Obispo and wandered around downtown. It is a fun little downtown area. We all went to Urban Outfitters where the girls discovered a bright green bed and shag carpets. They fell in love with some giant velvety pillows....do I feel a room makeover coming? ....Maybe!! I always love going into this store because they sell so many randomly fun things. Things like plastic faux-crystal picture frames and book about sewing and diy. They even have a camera with a fish-eye lens! (Speaking of which, Sis, did you get one? I ordered my wide-angle yesterday!!)

Then Isabella REALLY wanted a smoothie from Jamba Juice, but instead we went to California Pizza Kitchen and she got one there. She was happy. And by the way. CPK has a really delicious Cobb Salad- if you're ever there you should try it! Go ahead, just spilt it with someone. It is so good! Todd and I shared one. MMM. The details? Just imagine Gorgonzola, delicious red beets (really- they're good!!), apple smoked bacon, avacado, cubes of chicken, all tossed with a light ranch dressing....oh yeah, and the lettuce. :) Now that I sound like a menu, I will stop!!!

I am getting excited for our vacation! Did I mention this in my blog!? We are going to Disneyland for a few days at the end of February. Todd's parents are flying out and then we are going to stay in LA for about 5 days. I am SO looking forward to it. We haven't really been on vacation in a while, and this is going to be a great one!!

Well, are you watching the Superbowl today?!! It is coming up in a couple of hours! So I will stop writing now!