California: Our THIRD Week

Our third week, we began with a family fun day Sunday at the beach, with visits from my girlfriends Rana and Kristen!

Untitled from jana grover on Vimeo.

Untitled from jana grover on Vimeo.

Untitled from jana grover on Vimeo.

Monday, the kids amazing baby-sitter from back in the day before we moved, Sam, came for a visit and spent some time playing with the boys!  So nice to stay in touch with her, and hope the boys are lucky enough to continue having her in their lives!

Monday night dinner in Manhattan Beach with my Study Abroad Spain friend, Virginia!

Sea World with the family on our last Tuesday!  The highlights for the boys were definitely seeing the orca whale show, the dolphin show, petting baby sharks, seeing sharks and penguins!

The boys even got to watch a dolphin basketball game!

Jax's favorite, sea turtles!

Then a little sunset visit to Victoria Beach.  Our special spot where we had our engagement photos taken…. just look at how picturesque that tower is!

On Wednesday, my bestie Dina drove down from LA and we had lunch at Las Brisas, overlooking beautiful Laguna Beach!

Another family beach day, this time with my sister and family, on our last day in Cali!

Loving on Chloe from jana grover on Vimeo.

Cannot say enough about our amazing time in Cali!  The first week felt like we were on vacation because we were holed up in Laguna Beach the entire time and sightseeing.  The second and third weeks felt like we were back to living there!  Brad got very busy with work, and I juggled friends, play dates, theme parks, and time with my family.  In the 3 weeks we really remembered how much we love Cali, specifically Laguna Beach and the coast.  The Pacific Ocean and the beach is in our blood.  There is just something about the sound of the crashing waves and psychological feel that really puts us to ease.  The boys naturally gravitate to the ocean and are probably their happiest when zipping around the beach.  It sure was a nice escape from the brutal Winter out on the East Coast (and our second Winter, for that matter!).  It makes you realize how immune California is to all these weather systems around the country, and around the world.  I recall growing up in Southern California and truthfully being oblivious to anything happening outside of our little Orange County bubble.

We cannot wait to come again for a visit, and will visit again much sooner than later…. as in this Fall!  And,  I'm also sure we will eventually make our way back for a much more permanent stay!  (Wink)  Cannot deny that California is a very beautiful place to live year around, and sometimes it truly does take moving out of the state to appreciate those things we took for granted (like the climate, the beach, the positive energy, the plentiful opportunities, and WOW! all those amenities).  I know for a fact that everything happens for a reason, and we were supposed to move to New York to experience all that we have so far…. and so much more to come.  And for that, I am especially grateful for.  The last (almost) 2 years have been so eye-opening, life- changing, and adventurous.  We've also maximized our family time in more ways than one.  This CA trip made us feel like a bicoastal family!  We still have SO many connections and ties, friends and family, and all the nostalgia, in California.  That also includes our current California health insurance, Brad's work stuff and mail room, our duffy boat, all my state credentials…. you name it.  It's seriously like we are living in both places at once.  Truly a double life.  Being in California after living in New York this long, has changed us.  We are somewhere between a Californian and a New Yorker.  A CaliYorkian!!! HA HA! Obviously, Brad is originally from New York but living in California that long really impacted who he is and he shares in the same feeling as I do, being a native Californian.  I feel like as a family we encompass those positive social skills and friendliness that Californians are known for, with the honesty, loyalty, and straight-to-the-point traits that New Yorkers have.  The East Coast has rubbed off on us, humbled us, and allowed us to live simply so that we are impressed by the things we see when we travel!  That's the best way I can describe it.  Sometimes it can be confusing, and we feel torn, but for the most part, we are the lucky few to have such a set-up.  This trip also highlighted the fact that no matter where we go, we appreciate what we have.

California: Our SECOND WEEK

Our first week ended and second week began in Cali with Brad's boys nights out, and my girl nights out with my friends!  More family beach time, and feasting on our local favorite eateries!

Disneyland on Tuesday with Lala and Brooklyn!  

It was Taj's 2nd time in Disneyland…. I figured he may finally be old enough to enjoy it since last time (when he was 2, Jax's exact age right now) it was a bit overwhelming and traumatizing (i.e. The Winnie the Pooh psychedelic ride!).  THAT is why Laura and I left the littles at home and took just the older kids….. no need for cries and trying to juggle them both!

Taj LOVED the tea cups; Brooklyn and him giggled like crazy!

We spent all afternoon (4 hours) at the park, and Taji mostly enjoyed hanging out with the Disney characters, and going on the outdoor rides!

We had a fantastic time!  Taj and Brooklyn bonded, chased it each other, and were hugging on each other by the end.  We covered quite a bit and made lots of wonderful memories!

Silly time at the cottage and Bluebird Park.

On the wednesday that we played at the pool with Babi, Deda, and Chloe, we also met up with our Czech friends for breakfast at Panini Cafe, in Aliso Viejo.  The boys met darling Ella, and it was so nice to catch up!

On our way home to Laguna Beach, we drove past my childhood home in Mission Viejo, where I grew up!! I pointed it out to the boys, and Taji was very interested in seeing it and hearing all about it.  Man, does it look WAY different then when we lived there.  It was much prettier when we lived there! LOL

On Thursday, Brad and I had ourselves a Newport Beach date night!  We sampled the best and the newest of Fashion Island!  We had drinks at Fig & Olive, went shopping, then dinner and more drinks at Red O Mexican Restaurant.  So much fun, our bellies were bulging!  My parents stayed with the boys and put them to bed!

Friday, we took Chloe out of school and drove down to Legoland!  It was a great day for the cousins!  We spent all day there, going on rides, playing with legos, and then in the evening Chloe spent the night, and the kids had a slumber party at our place!

The next morning, Teta and Uncle B (my sister and Bryan) met us in Laguna for breakfast.  We played at the beach again, shopped, and then Brad and I went out on the duffy to celebrate our friends' birthdays while the boys spent the rest of the day with their aunt, uncle, cousin Chloe, and Babi and Deda!  They played at the cottage, at the nearby park, and went out for pizza!