After 3 months of planning and anxiously awaiting our trip to California, the 8 days of vacation has come and gone! We had a wonderful time! It was so sunny and nice while were were there! The high was 70 everyday, not much wind and no humidity! Here's all the exciting details of our trip!
We flew out of Minneapolis at 7 a.m. on March 6.
We got into Seattle (where we had a layover) 3 1/2 hrs. later and spent 2 1/2 hours there. We loaded back onto another plane and headed to Burbank, CA. We arrived at 1:30 p.m. (CA time). My sister met us at baggage claim with much excitement and tears! 
She picked us up in the church van...and thank goodness for that as we had 4 suitcases, 3 carry-ons, a diaper bag, and a stroller + Kevin's 1 suitcase and bag. We drove to her house (where we stayed during our trip), figured out the sleeping arrangements, headed to the beach (as Amber only lived a mile from it) to pick up seashells, 
had supper and then back to Amber's house. We were shot!-Saturday we loaded up late morning and headed to a couple destinations. Our first stop was Bartels Harley Shop (for Jason!) It's the main Harley shop in LA. Venice beach was our next stop stop. Although fun to see, not a place we need to visit everytime. Since it was a Saturday, it was very busy with some strange people there walking around. We headed more towards the ocean and spent some time enjoying the view and playing at the playground. 
This picture reminds me so much of Baywatch! No, we didn't see Pamela Anderson while we were there! Then we headed to the Santa Monica Pier. This was a lot of fun...just like in the movies. We had a great time riding on the Ferris wheel! 
This was a popular spot that day as it took 45 min. to get out of the parking lot that evening. We headed back to Torrance for supper at Rascals (Amber's favorite spot) and called it a day.
This picture reminds me so much of Baywatch! No, we didn't see Pamela Anderson while we were there! Then we headed to the Santa Monica Pier. This was a lot of fun...just like in the movies. We had a great time riding on the Ferris wheel! This was a popular spot that day as it took 45 min. to get out of the parking lot that evening. We headed back to Torrance for supper at Rascals (Amber's favorite spot) and called it a day.-Sunday we enjoyed 2 church services at Lutheran Church of the Good Shepherd. Amber gave the sermon at them. 
Then it was to McD's for lunch and back to Amber's for an easy afternoon. 
It was a little too easy for me...as I was getting stir crazy. As Amber and Kevin were napping, we loaded up in the van Amber was borrowing for the week and did some touring. We hit Del Amo Mall (which was the largest in the country until the M of A opened up). We picked up Amber and Kevin from church that evening, headed to Penguins (a great frozen yogurt shop) and called it a night.
Then it was to McD's for lunch and back to Amber's for an easy afternoon. It was a little too easy for me...as I was getting stir crazy. As Amber and Kevin were napping, we loaded up in the van Amber was borrowing for the week and did some touring. We hit Del Amo Mall (which was the largest in the country until the M of A opened up). We picked up Amber and Kevin from church that evening, headed to Penguins (a great frozen yogurt shop) and called it a night.-Monday we headed for downtown LA to the Fashion District! It was a lot of fun for Amber and I. We found some amazing Coach purses. We weren't there long as it's a little on the rough side and Amber had a meeting at church. We headed back to Amber's so the girls could get some naps. That evening we went to Redondo beach, played in the sand, 
and ate on the pier. Madison walked in the sand for the first time. 
She wasn't quite sure what she thought of it. 
Jason was craving Mexican so we ate that and headed back.
and ate on the pier. Madison walked in the sand for the first time. She wasn't quite sure what she thought of it. Jason was craving Mexican so we ate that and headed back.-Tuesday was an amazing day - next to Disneyland, it was my favorite day of our trip! We headed to 
Beverly Hills, Rodeo Drive and Hollywood! 
We were greeted at the most famous zip code...90210...by a Concierge who said to us "Welcome to Beverly Hills, you have arrived. Where are you from?" He was wearing a suit with a tail and a top hat. Very neat! He even agreed to bring us to the restaurant in the Beverly Wilshire Hotel for lunch. This was the famous hotel out of Pretty Woman. 
When he realized we weren't going to spend $20-$40 per plate, he let us wander down towards Subway! We spent all morning checking out the shops on Rodeo Drive! We had a blast in Tiffany & Co., 
Louis Vuitton, 
and Coach! 
We couldn't quite bring ourselves to buy anything in any of them. They had security guards everywhere and watched us like hawks. It must have been pretty obvious that we were tourists, with the camera and video camera hanging around my neck and that we probably couldn't afford anything in the stores! We also saw a Juicy Couture, Giorgio Armani, Ralph Lauren, Chanel, Guess, De Beers, Fendi, Gucci, Dolce and Gabbana, Harry Winston, Versace, and Dior store! These are all famous labels from one of my favorite shows, Sex and the City! It was so much fun seeing these stores, that I actually took a picture of the outside of most of them! We also took our picture by a yellow convertable Rolls Royce. 
That's another thing about LA...you see so many Lexus, Mercedes, and other high dollar cars. They are everywhere. The afternoon was spent in my town - "Holly"wood! We went to Johnny Rockets for lunch, 
headed towards the Chinese Theatre, Kodak Theatre, El Capitan, walked the 3 blocks of stars, 
and got as close as we could to the famous Hollywood sign by going to Griffith Observatory! 
Unfortunately, we didn't see any stars! We did get to see the stars and Jupiter in the largest telescope in the United States...which was at the observatory. 
This is a view of LA from at the observatory at night! After this fun filled day, we made our way back to Torrance, stopped for supper, and called it a night! It was a great day!
Beverly Hills, Rodeo Drive and Hollywood! We were greeted at the most famous zip code...90210...by a Concierge who said to us "Welcome to Beverly Hills, you have arrived. Where are you from?" He was wearing a suit with a tail and a top hat. Very neat! He even agreed to bring us to the restaurant in the Beverly Wilshire Hotel for lunch. This was the famous hotel out of Pretty Woman. When he realized we weren't going to spend $20-$40 per plate, he let us wander down towards Subway! We spent all morning checking out the shops on Rodeo Drive! We had a blast in Tiffany & Co., Louis Vuitton, and Coach! We couldn't quite bring ourselves to buy anything in any of them. They had security guards everywhere and watched us like hawks. It must have been pretty obvious that we were tourists, with the camera and video camera hanging around my neck and that we probably couldn't afford anything in the stores! We also saw a Juicy Couture, Giorgio Armani, Ralph Lauren, Chanel, Guess, De Beers, Fendi, Gucci, Dolce and Gabbana, Harry Winston, Versace, and Dior store! These are all famous labels from one of my favorite shows, Sex and the City! It was so much fun seeing these stores, that I actually took a picture of the outside of most of them! We also took our picture by a yellow convertable Rolls Royce. That's another thing about LA...you see so many Lexus, Mercedes, and other high dollar cars. They are everywhere. The afternoon was spent in my town - "Holly"wood! We went to Johnny Rockets for lunch, headed towards the Chinese Theatre, Kodak Theatre, El Capitan, walked the 3 blocks of stars, and got as close as we could to the famous Hollywood sign by going to Griffith Observatory! Unfortunately, we didn't see any stars! We did get to see the stars and Jupiter in the largest telescope in the United States...which was at the observatory. This is a view of LA from at the observatory at night! After this fun filled day, we made our way back to Torrance, stopped for supper, and called it a night! It was a great day!-Wednesday was spent sightseeing some more. We headed to Wayfare's Chapel and Albany Cove. Both were amazing. Wayfare's Chapel is a church made out of glass. While there, Presley wanted to marry each of us...so she would get her dress on and walk up and down the aisle with each of us! It was cute! 
It is a beautiful place with such wonderful landscaping and flowers! 
Then we headed to Albany Cove. This is another fun place to see (when the tide is down). We found some great seashells, saw tons of starfish 
and just had fun walking around. It was quite a ways down t0 get to it, which made me realize how badly out of shape I am! 
We went to Lent Church in the evening as Amber and Kevin did all the music for the service. It was fun to hear them play and sing together! After church, we headed to the 2 story Target! The parking lot was under it and you rode on an escalator up to the store. When you were done shopping, your cart went down an escalator! Pretty cool! We were off to Amber's after that. Another fun day!
It is a beautiful place with such wonderful landscaping and flowers! Then we headed to Albany Cove. This is another fun place to see (when the tide is down). We found some great seashells, saw tons of starfish and just had fun walking around. It was quite a ways down t0 get to it, which made me realize how badly out of shape I am! We went to Lent Church in the evening as Amber and Kevin did all the music for the service. It was fun to hear them play and sing together! After church, we headed to the 2 story Target! The parking lot was under it and you rode on an escalator up to the store. When you were done shopping, your cart went down an escalator! Pretty cool! We were off to Amber's after that. Another fun day! -And then...the much anticipated visit to Disneyland began on Thursday (Happy Birthday Auntie)! We spent all day Thursday and Friday between Disneyland and California Adventure. They are right across from each other. We had a great time!!! 
We got to Disneyland on Th. at 10 a.m. and left when it closed at 9 p.m. We did so much in those 2 days. 
We took lots of fun pictures, rode all the famous rides - Dumbo, 
Peter Pan, the teacups, 
It's a Small World, Pirates of the Caribbean, etc. 
Friday we started at California Adventure (very similiar to MGM Studios) around 11 a.m. and then headed over to Disneyland at 4 p.m. to close it down at midnight!
We got to Disneyland on Th. at 10 a.m. and left when it closed at 9 p.m. We did so much in those 2 days. We took lots of fun pictures, rode all the famous rides - Dumbo, Peter Pan, the teacups, It's a Small World, Pirates of the Caribbean, etc. Friday we started at California Adventure (very similiar to MGM Studios) around 11 a.m. and then headed over to Disneyland at 4 p.m. to close it down at midnight! During the 2 days, we had our picture taken with lots of fun characters. Presley had a blast getting her autograph book signed and her picture taken with the Princesses (and dressing up like one!) 
Here she is with Cinderella, 
Princess Aurora (Sleeping Beauty), 
and Pocahontas!
Mickey 
and Minnie
were a couple more favorites!! We also saw Tinkerbell 
and her friend Fawn, 
Goofy, 
Pluto, 
and so many more! Pres;ey's favorite ride was Pirates of the Caribbean! Madison enjoyed a few rides too! Th. night ended with an amazing fireworks show over downtown Disneyland and Fri. night ended with an incredible water show at Disneyland! 
Here she is with Cinderella, Princess Aurora (Sleeping Beauty), and Pocahontas!Mickey and Minniewere a couple more favorites!! We also saw Tinkerbell and her friend Fawn, Goofy, Pluto, and so many more! Pres;ey's favorite ride was Pirates of the Caribbean! Madison enjoyed a few rides too! Th. night ended with an amazing fireworks show over downtown Disneyland and Fri. night ended with an incredible water show at Disneyland! 
We had a lot of fun (but were very tired by the end of the 2 Disneyland days!) -Saturday morning was an early start as Jason and I got up at 5:30 a.m. (we only got 5 hrs. of sleep that night) to get ready for our flight home. We were scheduled to fly out of Burbank at 10 a.m. We got on the plane to find it was having some engine problems. We waited on the plane for 1 1/2 hrs and then all got off for another 1 1/2 hrs. By that time, we had missed our connection in Seattle so had to come up with another plan to get home. There were not many options anymore for that day. It ended up that we had to be shuttled to another airport. My sister came to pick us back up. We spent another 8 hours with her. Supper 1 last time at Rascals and then frozen yogurt at Penguins. She brought us to the LA airport at 10:30 p.m. on Sat. night and we had to take the red eye back to Minneapolis at 12:30 a.m. on Sunday. We got into Minneapolis at 6 a.m., drove home, and pulled into our house at 9:30 a.m. (1o hours later then we had planned to get home). The girls did amazingly well on the plane (they slept the entire time) and in the car ride home (they slept all of that too). Jason and I...well that's another story! It was an interesting way to end our trip!
And, I think that about sums it up! Wow! After writing it all out...we sure did a lot! We ended up taking 1,300 pictures between all of us! I hope you enjoyed reading the details! It was a trip we will never forget!
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