Living L.A. Style

I love L.A.! Would I love it in the summer? Would I love it if I really lived here? Who knows, but today I am a fan and think it is a great place to be. Andrew is showing me the ins and outs of Orange County and I am trying to help him branch out and see the rest of L.A. I know nothing about L.A. and have only visited Disneyland as a kid, but I have big plans for us to explore all corners. Let me begin from the beginning...

Here we are at a rest stop on the way down to L.A. I bought Blake a 25 cent mustache from a vending machine to add to the moment:


We are staying on the Balboa peninsula and I can't believe I don't have any pictures. Down the street from our condo is an adorable Fun Zone where Blake rode the ferris wheel for the first time. I will take pictures and post them later.

On Valentine's Day, we met up with Andrew's cousin John and his wife Michelle in Santa Monica. They showed us the 3rd Street Promenade and then we headed down to the Santa Monica Boardwalk.

On the side of a building before lunch:


On the carousel:


Down at the beach (we didn't brave the pier because there were so many people):


The next day we met up with our friend Megana who showed us around Sierra Madre (her home town). We started at the L.A. County Arboretum so George, Turtle, Eloise (Megana's childhood friend's daughter), and Blake could hang out and explore the world freely. Blake loved feeding the ducks bread.

George and Turtle feeding the ducks:


Eloise at snack time:


Blake enjoying some pretend nature:


Two pregnant ladies pushing their kids back to the car after a fun day at the arboretum:


Megana took us downtown for some lunch. Blake saw the walk of fame in front of the Sierra Madre Playhouse. Not so different from Hollywood Blvd.!:


Andrew took us to the Huntington Beach Pier to show us where he used to surf as a kid. We are in front of a surf shop:


Andrew's old stomping grounds:


Yesterday, we needed a break from sightseeing and spent the morning at Corona Del Mar. Andrew has fond memories of going to this beach with his mom and sister during the summers so we tried to recreate that scene with Blake. Andrew couldn't believe how small it felt as an adult and his favorite climbing spot has been filled in. Let the beach lessons begin.

Blake running the whole length of the beach making happy squeals the entire time:


Andrew teaching Blake how to brave the waves. It was a nice 70 degrees out:


Time to boogie board:


Head on in boys:


Andrew needed some alone time in the waves:


Blake standing next to a whale, er his mother:


I had to have Andrew drive me down to Laguna Beach to see where Laguna Beach and the Hills were filmed. I was thoroughly disappointed and didn't expect normal people walking around. I wanted the super rich, snobby fashion scene I have been watching religiously on MTV for years now. I guess what you see in movies doesn't happen 24/7 in L.A. How sad.

I was one with this sign:


Surf shops are so fun. This board is a skateboard:


Time to rest for a few minutes before Blake wakes up. We are off to Irvine to see the house where Andrew was born and then head into Yorba Linda to get the tour of where he grew up. Enjoy your winter weather while I soak up some sun.