Can you believe we have never taken a family trip to California? Hubby has been several times, I have been a couple of times, but we have never been together as a family. How can that be? Well we fixed that problem this week. Spring break + block leave = VACATION!!
Our California vacation started off a little hairy. I don't know what I was thinking when I booked our flight out of Austin at 6:30AM. That means we had to wake up at 3AM - OUCH. Seriously - what was I thinking? In the end it all turned out fine even though we ALMOST missed our flight due to the MANY, MANY spring breakers and the ending of South by Southwest – the Austin airport was a ZOO! I have never seen it so busy! I’m sure we gave a few people a good chuckle as we were running to the gate without our shoes on. I’m telling you we looked like the Clampetts (you know, from the Beverly Hillbillies) back packs flying everywhere, Hubby dragging Boy 2, me dragging Boy 3 and trying to make sure we had picked everything up as we went through security, me yelling “where is girl”…it was quite a sight. (Thank God we had Girl! ;o)
Upon arriving into California I couldn't believe how green and plush everything is! There are fruit trees everywhere! Ahh, I could get used to this. Boy 3 told us California reminded him of Hawaii and Boy 1 is thinking California might not be a bad place for our next PCS move - I couldn't agree with him more!
After getting a little rest & catching up with an old friend we decided to hit Hollywood! Along the way we saw Capitol Records......
When we reached Hollywood Boulevard there were all kinds of people dressed up as characters...I didn't realize they were 'working' for money at first, I just thought they were freaks. ;o)
The boys enjoyed hanging out with Shrek....
And seeing his star....
Mickey was a favorite of all the kids!
Here we are hanging out in front of the Grauman's Chinese Theatre. It was once stated that “to visit Los Angeles and not see the Chinese is like visiting China and not seeing the Great Wall.” I don't know about that, but it was pretty cool.
Where else could I get this close to my main man John Travolta (sorry Hubby)? It was almost like I was holding his hand.
And it was fun running into Marilyn Monroe! (With my friend T that I haven't seen in 20+ years.)
I had read on Trip Advisor that when you visit the Kodak Theater you could go to the 3rd or 4th floor and have a great view of the "Hollywood" sign. I'm glad I drug everyone all over that mall to check out the sign. See it? It is WAY in the back. ;o)
Girl & A
We finally happened upon Hollywoods Oldest Italian Restaurant, since 1949 & decided to stop in for a bite to eat, and it was well worth it!! Everyone LOVED their meal.
All 10 of us! (Well 9, I'm taking the picture)
And look! We saw a STAR! This dog was so cool, just haning out in the back of his human's truck.
After hanging out on Hollywood Blvd we headed out to get up close and personal with the Hollywood sign. The kids were so excited when they 'thought' we were there.
Little did they know we were going to 'explore' all the way to the top! The security guard at the bottom of the hill told us it was a 30 minute walk to the top. I don't think that security guard has ever hiked to the top...this took us a good hour to get to the top, but it was fun and I'm glad we did it, even though I was wearing (super cute) heels...
The girls after the 10th person hiking down said....only a few more minutes.....
After about an hour we are finally at the top and behind the Hollywood sign! The kids have never been more excited! Check out that view!
After a long day in Hollywood, we headed back to my friend’s house, put the kids to bed and headed out to dinner. I have been dying to have GOOD sushi since being back in the states and after doing a little research I was determined to eat "Sushi on Fire!" - Everything I read about this place was positive and it was ranked #1 on Trip Advisor for best sushi in Huntington Beach. Sushi on Fire did not disappoint. This was the best sushi I have eaten since being back in the states....plus, you get free sake with your meal so it is a win/win!
Oh baby....
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