Along The Coast

A few weeks ago we bought a new car. Al flew to Sacramento to pick it up and drove it back to LA. It is so exciting to have room for the stroller and groceries.  Costco was starting to get a little tricky in the Acura, I felt like I was playing Tetris every time I went. I was a little nervous to drive it at first because it felt like a bus compared to our Acura, but I'm getting used to it and love it.

For MLK Weekend we decided to take a trip up the coast.  I've been bugging Al to do it for 2 years, so what better time with a 2 year old and a 2 month old.  We started Saturday morning

Alex having his first road trip snack, a bag of chips around 8:30am

Our first stop was Solvang.  I've heard so many people talk about Solvang, but Al told me to not have big expectations especially since we don't drink wine.

Instead we looked on Yelp and found the best Danish Bakery and restaurant for breakfast.

I had the best chocolate macaroon and Al had a yummy Eclair.

We had breakfast at Paula's Pancake house which was amazing.  I got a little anxious because the wait was forever and I had a long list of things to see.  After Al convinced me that we would have more than enough time I relaxed a little.

The famous Hans Christians Andersen statue

A replica of the famous Little Mermaid statue and boy was it little.

Our next stop was Neverland Ranch which was a short 30 minute drive through wine country.

We met another groupie at the gate that lives down the street, she was bizarre.  The guard told us 80-100 people come everyday.  A lot of people leave notes and stuff them in the cracks of the walls.

Some write on the walls.

I found a Sharpie in my purse so Alex and I left a note.

The house is 2-3 miles from the gate so all you can see is a road.

Our next stop was Pismo Beach.

I came prepared with towells and swimsuits, but you don't really layout at this beach.  You get to drive on the beach.  One way is Sand Dunes and the other way is where people play in the water.  The sand is hard and everyone backs up their truck or SUV and hangs out.

Alex couldn't contain himself.  He loved the water and didn't want to get out.  His feet had to be numb the water was so cold.

This is what happened when we made him leave.  You would have thought we were kidnapping him. 

Our last stop for the night was Morro Bay.  We stayed at a cute little hotel with 2 bedrooms and a fireplace that heated the room.  

We walked down to the water to get dinner.  

Alex and Cole were done at this point so we got dinner to go and had a picnic on the floor.  Night time was painful but we knew it would be.  Cole slept in his Pack N Play next to our bed like an angel.  Alex on the other hand was a nightmare.  He hadn't napped that entire day so he went to bed in the other room around 8pm.  Then around midnight he woke up and didn't go back to sleep until 3 or 4am.  Al was in there forever laying with him trying to get him back to sleep.  We were all exhausted the next morning when Alex woke up bright and early at 6:30am.

A Boys Life

Little Cole is growing like crazy.  Some days seem to go by so slow, but it's hard to believe he is almost 3 months old. He is the sweetest baby you could ask for.

and so good at Tummy Time, he loves it.

A couple weeks ago we met the Dannel's Family at Jump N Jammin.  Luckily Crew and Hudson took Alex down all the slides and showed him everything.  Sometimes I feel bad I can't do stuff like that with him anymore since I'm usually holding Cole.  

Alex was in heaven. Crew was carrying him everywhere

Boys Heaven.  

We took Alex to Lacy park to ride his bike one Saturday.  We didn't know they charged you to use the park on weekends to non San Marino residents.  Seriously?  Rip Off!!

We are working on the "riding" part.  Right now he just walks on it.

Al teaching him to climb up the playground.  Alex has no fear, it scares me.

and this was his reaction telling him he had to get off his bike and in the car.

Cole loving his Tummy Tub.

He loves it so much I bet he would sit in there all night.

I was at my friend Sachia's one day and Cole had a blowout all over his blanket and clothes.  I wasn't prepared with an extra outfit so she loaned me one of her girls outfits.  He looked so cute we put a feather headband on him...haha

Alex and I share a green smoothie every morning.  Mine don't get very green, but at least they are loaded with fruit and a little bit of greens.

I could stare at Cole all day, but if I did that I would never get anything done.  

I finally finished both of their rooms.  I'm hoping I will have walls that aren't white someday :)

Paying Respects

Last week Al's Dad was in town and got to spend the day with him.  We went to the Promenade in Santa Monica to have lunch and go shopping.  Getting Al to go shopping is rare so I'm glad his Dad likes it. We made the mistake of walking in the food court where there is a playground.  Alex almost jumped out of the stroller so that's where we ate lunch.  I just realized how crazy Cole's brow line looks in this picture. 

Alex warming up to the idea of sitting on his Grandpas lap.  After all they do have the same name.

The promenade was amazing that day, no crowds and great sales.  I could have stayed all day.

Every time Al's Dad has been in town we've talked about taking him to Forest Lawn Cemetery where Michael Jackson is buried.  We heard he was buried below a stained glass window so we went to the Mausoleum where they have a video about the Last Supper stained glass window.  

Turns out Michael Jackson isn't buried in this one, but Elizabeth Taylor is and this is her headstone.

Pretty amazing.

We got the scoop where MJ was buried and heard there are fans there everyday standing guard.  Sure enough there was a lady sitting there eyeing us.  Who just hangs out at a cemetary everyday?  Al stayed  in the car while we went to pay our respects.

Forest Lawn is unreal, it's huge.

This is the building MJ is buried in. You can't go in, but you can look through the window and barely see a long hallway with a stained glass window at the end and a white marble casket below it.  

Flowers from his fans.

Our last stop was Walt Disney's grave.  Alex was done at this point and plus it was freezing.   On our way out I told Al to drive by MJs one last time to see if that lady was still there and sure enough she was, random.  Hopefully no one reading this thinks we are weirdos hanging out at a cemetery, haha.  

Thanks for coming to visit Al.  Next time let's go to Disneyland!!