What a trip! We just got back from 5 days in sunny California, and it made me wonder why I live in land-locked Minnesota. Aaron, however, was reminded why he doesn't want to live on the west coast.
We arrived in San Diego on Thursday evening to meet up with Brian, Renee, Ellen, Sarah & Kristine after a Twin victory against the Padres. After a few beers (waters for me of course!), we called it a night. Friday was our day to tour San Diego - we visited the Hash House where we shared a pizza-sized pancake, sausage waffles, and french toast between five us, only to have left overs. Then we headed to Coronado Island for a walk in the gold-flecked sands and a glimpse of the historic Hotel Coronado. After that, we were off to Old Town San Diego where we saw some of the original establishment, and then to Mt. Soledad and LaJolla for some seal watching. We stayed in Anaheim Friday night so that Saturday morning we could begin our star watching in Los Angeles.
We visited the Farmer's Market for breakfast, drove around the Hollywood Hills, through Beverly Hills, and then down Rodeo Drive all before heading to Santa Monice Pier. We then walked to Venice Beach for some people watching, which paid off as we some strange ones as well as a famous one - Wesley Snipes. We figured he was enjoying a day with the family before heading off to jail for his tax evasion! Finally, we headed to Hollywood where we walked along the Walk of Stars, saw the Kodak Theater and Garman's Chinese theater and lots of celebrity imposters. We capped the evening off at a bar/restaurant with an bucking bronco. None of us dared to ride it; I was the only one, however, with a valid excuse.
On Sunday, it was off to Newport Beach where we took a boat cruise in the harbor and saw the million dollar homes. The taxes on the property alone are more than our houses, and the plots weren't that big. Then we walked along the pier and watched some of the fisherman. We weren't sure what they were catching, but they sure didn't want to touch them. They kept everything - even the small ones! Then it was time for one more drive in the hills near Laguna Beach. Aaron decided he couldn't live there knowing that part of his house was on stilts, but the views from these places were just amazing- high on a cliff that overlooks nothing but ocean - breathtaking to say the least!
By Monday, everyone had gone back to their respective homes, but Aaron & I. We traveled to Long Beach where we visited the Aquarium of the Pacific and had lunch with a good college friend of mine, her husband, and one year old. What a treat! Then it was off to work for me as I had a conference that evening. Tuesday was the big day at the conference as I had to present. About 75 people or so turned out for my 90 minutes presentation, and only one of them intimidated me as he's a big name in the field. I was presenting about students with language and/or learning disabilities in immersion classrooms. It was to be with Tara Fortune, a professor at the U, but she wasn't able to attend due to a broken foot, so it was just me. Luckily, no one booed me off the stage.
And now, here we are back home in Minnesota. I had my first physical therapy appointment for some back soreness, and the therapist thinks it all just a result of my tendons stretching out, so I have some stretches & exercises to do, and next week they're going to fit me with a belt that should help provide some extra support - let's keep our fingers crossed!
Baby has started to move a good bit more regularly. Aaron gets a little disappointed that he can't feel it yet, but I'm sure that will come in due time. Just a couple little movements here and there - kind of strange to think it's a baby in me making those movements, but kind of cool at the same time. We're taking it easy today for the 4th, doing some housework and schoolwork before going to see fireworks somewhere tonight. We hope you all have a wonderful 4th & we'll keep you posted -
We arrived in San Diego on Thursday evening to meet up with Brian, Renee, Ellen, Sarah & Kristine after a Twin victory against the Padres. After a few beers (waters for me of course!), we called it a night. Friday was our day to tour San Diego - we visited the Hash House where we shared a pizza-sized pancake, sausage waffles, and french toast between five us, only to have left overs. Then we headed to Coronado Island for a walk in the gold-flecked sands and a glimpse of the historic Hotel Coronado. After that, we were off to Old Town San Diego where we saw some of the original establishment, and then to Mt. Soledad and LaJolla for some seal watching. We stayed in Anaheim Friday night so that Saturday morning we could begin our star watching in Los Angeles.
We visited the Farmer's Market for breakfast, drove around the Hollywood Hills, through Beverly Hills, and then down Rodeo Drive all before heading to Santa Monice Pier. We then walked to Venice Beach for some people watching, which paid off as we some strange ones as well as a famous one - Wesley Snipes. We figured he was enjoying a day with the family before heading off to jail for his tax evasion! Finally, we headed to Hollywood where we walked along the Walk of Stars, saw the Kodak Theater and Garman's Chinese theater and lots of celebrity imposters. We capped the evening off at a bar/restaurant with an bucking bronco. None of us dared to ride it; I was the only one, however, with a valid excuse.
On Sunday, it was off to Newport Beach where we took a boat cruise in the harbor and saw the million dollar homes. The taxes on the property alone are more than our houses, and the plots weren't that big. Then we walked along the pier and watched some of the fisherman. We weren't sure what they were catching, but they sure didn't want to touch them. They kept everything - even the small ones! Then it was time for one more drive in the hills near Laguna Beach. Aaron decided he couldn't live there knowing that part of his house was on stilts, but the views from these places were just amazing- high on a cliff that overlooks nothing but ocean - breathtaking to say the least!
By Monday, everyone had gone back to their respective homes, but Aaron & I. We traveled to Long Beach where we visited the Aquarium of the Pacific and had lunch with a good college friend of mine, her husband, and one year old. What a treat! Then it was off to work for me as I had a conference that evening. Tuesday was the big day at the conference as I had to present. About 75 people or so turned out for my 90 minutes presentation, and only one of them intimidated me as he's a big name in the field. I was presenting about students with language and/or learning disabilities in immersion classrooms. It was to be with Tara Fortune, a professor at the U, but she wasn't able to attend due to a broken foot, so it was just me. Luckily, no one booed me off the stage.
And now, here we are back home in Minnesota. I had my first physical therapy appointment for some back soreness, and the therapist thinks it all just a result of my tendons stretching out, so I have some stretches & exercises to do, and next week they're going to fit me with a belt that should help provide some extra support - let's keep our fingers crossed!
Baby has started to move a good bit more regularly. Aaron gets a little disappointed that he can't feel it yet, but I'm sure that will come in due time. Just a couple little movements here and there - kind of strange to think it's a baby in me making those movements, but kind of cool at the same time. We're taking it easy today for the 4th, doing some housework and schoolwork before going to see fireworks somewhere tonight. We hope you all have a wonderful 4th & we'll keep you posted -
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