December 11, 2011

Our Last Few Days

Los Angeles, California

Grace and I took one last trip to the Santa Monica Pier. 

And we took our last trip to the Ahmanson Theatre.

It's time to pack up and move on! Toodles LA! San Fran here we come. 

December 5, 2011

Universal Studios

Universal City, California

Universal Pictures Stage Productions is the live stage division of Universal Pictures and it just so happens that they are producing Bring It On. So far, this has been extremely beneficial for us! They gave everyone involved in the show an IPod Touch as an opening night present and they recently gave everyone 2 tickets to Universal Studios. So, of course we took them up on this offer! 

Sadly, after being there for all of a half hour or so, we discovered there really isn't much there for children. There was a 4-D Shrek movie that I took Grace to while David rode on one of the big kid rides. She thought that was pretty cool...the chairs shook, water squirted at us, and Shrek tooted. Everything a two year old would want! There was also an animal show where "famous" animals did their tricks. Here's Grace with the doggies in the show.

We bribed Grace with a soft pretzel and got her to go on the Studio Tour. Between King Kong, ferocious dinosaurs and Jaws we were sure she would have nightmares for the rest of her life. She spent most of the ride covering her eyes or burrowing her head into my/David's shoulder. I see therapy in her future!

We also tried to show Grace that she shouldn't be afraid of the characters walking around.

 Little did we know, she was right. They are absolutely terrifying!

Imagine Dora about a foot away from your face begging you for a high five! 

 Or how about Curious George? 

He's trying to kiss me,while humping my leg and David swears the monkey flicked him off!

After all that, she was still all smiles at the kids jungle gym!

I, however, may or may not be pregnant with a monkey baby!

And that was our Monday Family Funday!!!!!

December 2, 2011

Our 5th Anniversary

Los Angeles, California

As you may or may not recall, I'm a huge fan of  traditions. And one of my favorite traditions started a few years back on our first wedding anniversary...getting our Christmas tree. Then we come home and spend the afternoon decorating. It's one of my favorite days of the year because we get to spend time together as a family, celebrate our marriage, and start getting ready for the holiday season.

Of course, since it's our anniversary we did a lot of looking back over the past few years...

 December 2, 2008 I found out I was pregnant with Gracie. 

December 2, 2009

Getting our Christmas Tree

               December 2, 2010                                                                                 December 2, 2011

Time is flying by and I couldn't ask for a better person to share my time with.  

I love my husband.

 The day I met him I knew I wanted to marry him. 

And I'm so lucky he asked me to marry him!

December 1, 2011

Los Angeles Zoo

Los Angeles, California

Charlotte and I took the kids to the zoo the day after the Santa Ana winds swept through our area. The winds were recorded to be up to 125 miles per hour. So, when we arrived at the zoo we were sadly met with a delayed opening. They had a lot of trees down and debris to clean up. However, it did give the kids a great opportunity to run around and play in the wind!

Later that evening I took Grace to Burbank's Winter Wonderland. 

It was a little outdoor festival with jugglers, carolers, face painting, and Santa and Mrs. Claus. 

She loved it!

The whole ride home she rambled on and on about what she saw and couldn't wait to tell David all about it. 

November 29, 2011

Travel Town Museum
Los Angeles, California


"Preserving and celebrating the rich railroad heritage of Los Angeles"


What's not to love about the Travel Town Museum?
Free admission!
 Lots of space for the kids to run and explore!
And  a train ride around the museum!
David ended up loving it too. He said it was one of his favorite adventures we have done so far.

November 25, 2011

LAX & Venice Beach

California

Back in the day when DP was a LA resident, he enjoyed spending the afternoon at LAX plane spotting. He'd grab lunch at In & Out Burger and take it over to the park where there are some awesome views of the airport. About ten years ago, when David and I first met, he took me one of his traditional plane spotting adventures. And today we took Gracie! The planes fly right over your head to the point where you feel like you can almost touch them. It's really neat and Grace tried her best to reach, reach, reach for those planes!

Afterward, we drove over to Venice Beach to play in the sand. We ended up having a
  wonderful afternoon of revisiting our past and creating new memories.

November 24, 2011

Thanksgiving

Los Angeles, California

This Thanksgiving didn't go as we had originally planned.
 Our visitors couldn't make it out, but that's alright because we have plenty to be thankful for...our health, family, friends, and laughter! Bring It On had a lovely Thanksgiving gathering. Grace had the run of the party room and more attention from the cast than one little girl could ever want.

  I'm very blessed to have such an amazing little family. This past week has been rough and I'm extremely thankful for my daughter and husband. They keep me sane during the tough times,  make me laugh when I'm crying, and tell me everything will be okay. And guess what?
They were right!

Happy Holidays!!!