Welcome to Southern California; it's a lovely place

Spring break went by with the blink of an eye this year! We had an absolutely fantastic week of fun and family visits. Aaron went on an almost week long business trip for his consulting so we did some family activities the first week of spring break like going to eat at Chick Fil-A, letting Maddy ride the train at Grapevine Mills Mall, and relaxing around the house. Maddy paid for part of the train ride with money she earned from picking up recyclables. Aaron's grandma would take Aaron and his brother out to gather cans and then take them to the aluminum can cashing place to get the money. Aaron feels like this is what instilled the idea of hard work into him and his brother so he wants to do something similar with Maddy. Since we have a recycling program with free pick up at our house, he is paying Maddy a nickel for every plastic bottle or aluminum can she picks up. The first day she gathered 24 cans and bottles. She picked up one glass bottle, which we try to discourage for obvious safety reasons.

On Sunday we took Aaron to the airport to fly to San Francisco as the first stop on his trip. He flew from S.F. to N.Y. and then back to L.A. over a course of 4 days. His trip went very well and he thinks he has several clients from this trip. We never count them for sure until they pay. Maddy and I held down the fort. On Monday we slept in, did some yard work, got Papa Murphy's pizza, and watched movies. I got Maddy a little kid sized shovel and rake at Wal-Mart and she loved helping clean out and plant the flower beds. The weather was absolutely perfect for working in the yard. Now our flower beds are ready for the Easter bunny.

On Tuesday, we met the Embry clan at Klyde Warren Park for lunch. Brandon, Amanda, and kids, and Sherry and Weldon had come down to see Rachel's new place. Maddy and I had New York deli food from a food truck at the park since Aaron was in N.Y. that day. The hotdog was kind of weird. Maddy ate but I'm not sure she liked it as much as a regular hot dog. However, she did thoroughly enjoyv the black and white cookie we got for dessert. We spent the afternoon at Rachel's so Maddy could play with Mikali and Daniel. Maddy had the BEST time playing with them. The next morning, she opened her eyes and simultaneously asked, "Are we going to see Mikali and Daniel again today?" We had a delicious Mexican meal with the Embry's and Tammy that evening. Really enjoyed our short but good visit with them.

Wednesday was the big travel day for Maddy and I. We spent the morning packing. I figured out how to pack light enough to carry on everything but the car seat so that we didn't have to pay to check a bag. That afternoon we had to run errands and go to therapy. We ate a quick supper and then Tam drove us to the airport. Everything went very smoothly--always a concern when traveling alone with a pre-schooler. Both our plane and Aaron's plane arrived way ahead of schedule. We picked up our rental car and headed to Matt and Brittany's house. It was great to see them and we stayed up way to late talking and snacking in the kitchen. Their house is just fantastic and they are fantastic hosts. We felt like we were staying in a luxury bed and breakfast the whole time we were there.

We did all kinds of great activities and the scenery and all of the various types of plants and vegetation were beautiful. Brittany told us that California is one of the 5 places in the world that has a Mediterranean climate. I was really surprised at how Southern California actually looks. I had expected dry, brown hills and desert, sort of like Phoenix. It was also neat to experience the drastic climate change from the ocean side of the mountains to the San Fernando Valley side of the mountains. It was usually 10 degrees cooler on the ocean side and the day we went to the beach, it was beautiful and sunny at M&B's house but cloudy, foggy, and cool at the beach.

We got to go see the Pepperdine campus, which was very impressive. The campus is gorgeous. Matt literally goes to work in paradise everyday--as far as the setting anyway. Our visit to the campus was made even more enjoyable by the fact that an art exhibit of American illustrators opened on campus the day we visited. I had forgotten that when you go to openings, you get free food. They went all out on the food too. Since it was around supper time for me, I unashamedly stuffed my face with loads of pinwheels, crackers, veggies and dip, and the best lemon bar I've ever had! They also had excellent coffee. Oh yes, and the exhibit was very interesting and enjoyable as well. We got to see Matt's lab and the building he works in and we drove up the hill to see the view. For supper I had a pineapple teriakyi  (sp?) burger that was very good.

ocean and campus views

Looking for coins (and alligators)

On Friday we went to the beach. Maddy had been obsessed with going to the ocean ever since I'd told her that was something we'd probably do while we were there. She wasn't a big fan of the cold water and loud, crashing waves, but she had a great time playing in the sand and watching Daddy learn to surf. Aaron, Matt, and Brittany saw a pod of dolphins. Maddy and I missed it because of a potty break. We did get to see several seals swimming. Maddy asked to go back to the ocean the next day so I know she had a great time. I forgot which beach we went to. It was a smaller one, so less people, and because of the fog we practically had it all to ourselves. Aaron did a great job with surfing and was able to actually catch a few waves. Maddy tried surfing too. I finally worked up the courage to go into the ocean with a wet suit. The water was very cold. When I look at the pictures I laugh because we weren't very far out in the water at all, but when we were out there I felt like the shore was miles away. I was pretty in awe/terrified of being out in a monster body of water with big waves rolling in. The fact that I am the worst swimmer ever did not help my confidence.

After a nice day at the beach we went to Malibu Seafood for supper. Again, delicious. Aaron and I tried Mai Mai and Red Snapper (both grilled) and Maddy had a fish stick that was the biggest fish stick I've ever seen. Matt said that if you call the fish sticks you will get chastised. Everything there was made from fresh caught fish.

On Saturday we went hiking in Malibu Creek State Park. That was a very enjoyable experience. We hiked to a rock pool and then to a lake. Maddy had fun pretending to fish in the lake. It was very peaceful and just great to enjoy spending an afternoon outdoors. After the hike we bought some fresh fruit from a stand. Brittany made us a late lunch of yummy Jambalaya. The mangoes were especially good. That evening we went to a place called Donar King. It was a little turkish deil type place and the food was very good. We were all hungry from hiking.

Very early Sunday morning we left for the airport. I was sad to have to leave such a beautiful area. The whole time we were there, I kept thinking, "This is what Colorado would be like if it had an ocean." Nevertheless, it was great to get home.

When we got back, Tam had a birthday celebration ready for me.She had made chocolate cake and she took us out for lunch. Very thoughtful of her. Maddy went shopping in the bathroom and got me some hotel shampoo and soap that Aaron brought back from his trip. So hilarious! She was so cute. She was as proud as could be that she had thought of this amazing present to give to Mommy. I also got some cookie sheets and baking stuff from Mom, Cindy, and Tammy and Aaron got me an orbital sander which I will very much enjoy using to make over some old furniture around here.