San Diego {weekend #9}

I have some awesome relatives that live in San Diego.

When we met up with my aunt at Huntington Beach while my parents were here, she suggested that I come stay with them for a few days and then Chris could come on the weekend.

I decided to take her up on it so I could have a little break from the stresses of L.A, our apartment, Chris' long hours and dealing with a non-napping baby alone.

During my week in San Diego I was able to sleep in a little (until 8am! Londyn wakes up to Chris' 6:30am alarm at home), interact with other adults, not be alone until 7pm, go to bed early, sleep without fear of bed bugs, and have some help with Londyn. It was WONDERFUL.

Lunch at Islands, my new favorite burger place.

Londyn is always grabbing at my food when I eat with her in my lap....she is so ready for some real food.

Love her look of glee in the pic on the right!

Chris came down Friday night after work and Londyn gave him the biggest giddy grins! They missed each other.

Lunch at BJ's.
Londyn was thrilled to be there.

A rare moment when she wasn't screaming in the car.

We went to see the beautiful San Diego temple, aka the Mormon castle.

Then we went to La Jolla.

Matching shades.

With my aunt Coco and cousin Amy.

We loved San Diego and it was so depressing leaving....but this little trip was the perfect break from life in L.A. and was JUST what I needed!

Thanks Coco and Amy for having us and saving my sanity!

weekend #7, part 2

Boy I am having a real hard time keeping this blog up with the times...

Weekend #7 was 2 weeks ago...why can't I keep up?

Oh yeah, maybe because my 4 month old won't take naps and if she does it lasts about 10 minutes.

And Chris still doesn't get home until 7pm and by the time Lulu goes to bed I'm exhausted and just want to veg.

Maybe one of these days I'll get all caught up and update you all (all 3 of you) on how all our "problems" are going here. 

But here's what's really important:

We have 3 weeks left. 3!!!

And while that isn't a lot it feels like a long time and we are just over L.A.

Give me giant (empty) parking lots!

And suburbs with quiet streets!

And lots of free parking!

And no more validating for parking at Target!

.........

Anyway.

Here's what went down the rest of the time my parents and sister were visiting us!

 They stayed at the Azul Inn which happened to be a 3 minute walk from our place and right smack dab across the street from the L.A. temple.

On Saturday we went to Huntington Beach to meet up with my aunt who lives in San Diego.

Londyn and Grandpa just chillin together.

Loving hanging out in her own seat.

Grandpa is just totally loved by all his grandkids.

The rest of the crew.

These sisters and their iphones....

Londyn just likes to dangle from the carrier.

On Friday (the day before) Chris had to work (booooooo) so the rest of us took a walk to the temple and the visitors center.

We like to match.

Long legged ladies.

 We went to the Santa Monica pier and 3rd street promenade for lunch, shopping and site seeing.

Londyn practiced some Michael Jackson moves on the pier while I grew antennae .

 And lastly, we went to Sprinkles for dinner.

 YUM. 

Not sure when my mom became lax enough to "allow" cupcakes for dinner but it was my dream come true.

The Cupcake ATM for cupcakes after the store is closed!

They left on Sunday and I was sad to see them go. 

It was so nice to have them around to confirm things like "Londyn's definitely teething" and "her head is looking much better" etc. etc.

We had a great time and it was a much needed reprieve from my 12 hour days without Chris.

It also marked the half way point for this rotation!

Thanks for visiting guys, and helping me make it through these 12 weeks!

happiest place on earth. {weekend #7, part 1}

I've been to Disneyland twice.

Once when I was 6 (or 7) and again when I was 10 (or 11?).

6 years old.... it was magical

11 years old....less magical, more crowded 

(Think hour and a half wait time for space mountain)

Chris has been to Disneyland once, when he was 2.

Or in other words = never, since he doesn't remember it.

Therefore Disneyland was a must during our time here.

And since Londyn won't take a bottle (that's right, we've never been apart for more than an hour) we recruited my parents to come with us. And my sister too!

Fun to see the Halloween decorations!

Matterhorn.
glad you joined us for the picture, Chris

Splash Mountain

Note to self: Do not ride splash mountain after 3pm*.

Wet clothes + shady park = no drying

*Riding it twice in a row after 3pm increases equation. 

Space Mountain: 

Heather - screaming, Chris - having a gay old time,

 Nikki - laughing while terrified, Dad - just taking a snooze

GuyRidingByHimselfUpFront - yippee!

One of these things is not like the others...

Great wonderful grandparents to come along!

Conclusions: 

>In the future we are taking our kids out of school to go to Disneyland in September or February (and on a weekday).

>The crowds were bearable. We didn't wait more than 20 minutes for a ride...thank you Fast Passes. The crowds were horrendous in August when I was 11 and Fast Passes did not exist.

>Chris liked Disneyland, but will like it better when we take our kids one day.

>Londyn was an incredible trooper as always. She did so well, but was exhausted by the end and slept 12 hours straight that night. (Rare occurrence).

>The rides were not as thrilling as they were when I was 11. I kept waiting for a nice big drop...never happened, even on Splash Mountain.

>Even when the worker says you can take your baby on the Haunted Mansion, DON'T do it.

Disneyland is still a magical place!

Can't wait to go back someday with our kids.