Memories

Thankfully Lily took nearly a 4 hour nap this afternoon -- she definitely needed that!! We didn't have any big plans, but wanted to drive up to LA and check out our old apartments and see if anything had changed much in the last few years. I knew we'd never drive up during the week since traffic would suck so bad, so we decided to just head out tonight. First we drove by my old apartment, which actually ended up being Chip and my first place together since he moved in with me and we lived there for a year after we were married. It is so trippy to think that I lived here for 5 years -- that is the longest I've lived anywhere, with the exception of my childhood homes!

1243 S. La Cienega Blvd. Los Angeles, 90035
My apt is the the on the 2nd floor. The far left window was the bedroom, the middle window is in the shower -- I use to love watching the traffic as I showered, Chip always though that was so weird -- and the window on the right was the living room. It was a crappy old apt with no air conditioner, no garbage disposal, no dishwasher and no laundry! But I LOVED it. It had huge closets and lots of room and tons of character.

Here is the place Chip lived in when we first started dating. (He lived in the Valley when we first met) . 8499 Sunset Blvd. West Hollywood, CA 90069

His apartment was on the left side, 2nd floor, left balcony. It is located right on Sunset Blvd, where La Cienega ends, such an amazing location!! It was always so fun to hang out on the balcony and watch the people cruise and stumble down Sunset Blvd!

Red Rock on Sunset -- where we had our first date.

We meant to drive by CBS Television City where we worked and first met, but ended up going back to the freeway a different way and didn't feel like turning around. It already looks different than it did when we were there since they built The Grove next door.


We then stopped at The Saddle Ranch on Sunset for lunch. We use to go there all the time since 2 of Chip's neighbors worked there and it was right down the street. It is kinda a tourist trap, but they have good food and it was kinda fun to bring Lily (and a pregnant Linda) to eat at the bar we use to hang out at! :)

Lily even got cotton candy from the waitress.

Silly Lily in the car.

It was fun reminiscing about the good old days in LA. I am SO glad I lived there when I did and had that experience, but I am also pretty glad I don't live there anymore!! :)

Shooby Dooby Down To Ruby's

Poor Lily (and Mommy!) woke up again this morning at 6am. I tried to get her to go back down, but 15 minutes later I heard her cute little voice say “Mommy, I’m not sleepy. I tried.” Through the monitor and I knew we had to get up. I knew Chip was exhausted, so I let him sleep in. When he woke up at 9am, we were trying to think of something fun to do, but I didn’t want to go too far or do too much since I desperately wanted to get Lily back around noon for a nap. So we decided to just head over to the HB pier for breakfast at Ruby’s! My sister met us there to eat and then headed back to meet Scott at church.

It was chilly and overcast, so I actually wore pants (which is SO rare for me). Apparently I have adjusted to the Texas weather already!!

Lily liked the ocean since that is where "Ariel and the fish live."

Lily really like the wind socks and flags they had out for sale on the pier.

Silly Lily walked under the sign.

Making a wish. Apparently she wished for more money to throw again. She shouldn't have told us that since it then didn't come true. :)

It was the perfect way to spend the morning. Now Lily is napping before we head out to LA tonight to visit our old apartments and stomping grounds!!

Fun Day Filled With Friends!

Today Chip went to Bakersfield to meet his friends for a round of golf and Lily and I stayed in Downey to hang out with some of my oldest and bestest friends. Since we're not making it up to Merced this trip, Chip, Eric and Brian decided to meet up in Bakersfield since it is exactly 2 hours from everyone - right smack in the middle. Lily and I started the day by meeting Michelle and Alyson for breakfast at Mimi's! (actually we started the day at 6:40 and watched Little Mermaid and Finding Nemo before we went to breakfast, but whatever). After breakfast we all went to Target and I let Alyson pick out her birthday present since Lily and I weren't here last month to help her celebrate -- she choose a doll that giggled and crawled, so needless to say Lily loved it too! Then Jenni and Sasha came by to play for awhile. As soon as they left Jill came over to hang out and then Kristen, Cindy and Aline!! It was SO wonderful to see all my friends and catch up!!

This photo is actually from last night -- Linda taught Lily how to play with her hair. It is a win win since Lily likes to play with hair and Linda likes her hair played with!
Lily and Alyson at breakfast.

They were SO cute and held hands all though Target.

Checking out the Princess stuff. Those are 2 very girly girls!

Playing Mc Donald's. They are also both very stubborn and had to learn to share. :)

Lily was pretty exhausted and right around 12:30 (again 2:30 TX time) she had a major melt down. I desperately wanted to get a group photo -- I even tried to bribe Lily with Princess cookies, but it obviously didn't happen.

Poor Lily was hysterical and just kept crying all day that she was done with "Cama-Ova" and wants to go home -- to her home and her bed. :(

Surprisingly, Lily went right down for a nap while everyone was still here and playing!! That is how tired she was.

Me, Jill and Aline.

I forgot to get a group shot before Kristen left, but here are the gals hanging out. Lily of course had to sit there and join in on the conversation! But she was getting super fussy again and wanting to just go home!! Luckily Chip came home and then Linda and Scott came over. As soon and Anda and Scott got here, she was a lot happier!!

California -- or "CamaOva" as Lily calls it.

This morning we left for California! Chip finished up his Anatomy/Physiology class last night (with an A we think!!! I am SO proud of him) and has 10 days until Fall Semester starts so we are spending them in Cali! My parents are meeting us out here on Monday, so it was just the three of us on the plane today. Surprisingly the flight went by super fast -- Lily was such a good girl!!

Pushing her "baby" Stretch around the airport while we waited for our flight.

I caught an action shot of her falling, but she caught herself and continued to do it over and over.

Reading her Princess Magazine on the plane.

Checking her e-mail.

Coloring.

More coloring.

Decorating Chip with stickers!

Last time we flew she got her pacifier and she often says that pacifiers are for babies and airplanes only. So I brought some just in case she asked for it. Of course as soon as we got on the plane she asked for it, but I managed to hold her off until half way through the flight before she got it and even then it was mainly because she had spilled her water all over herself and I wanted to calm her down before she got too upset.

At exactly 2:15 (central time), right as we are making our decent into the OC she fell asleep. Her internal clock is amazing. It was nap time, so she fell asleep. Too bad it was only for 5 minutes.

Hugs for Anda!

Aunt Linda made her a sign. :)

Picking up the rental car.

Stopping for lunch at The Lazy Dog Cafe in Huntington Beach.

Lily was tired and so not cooperative, so I took her outside as a punishment while everyone finished eating. Of course she liked it better outside and didn't realize at all that she was in trouble!

Stopping at Aunt Linda & Uncle Scott's house to say hi to Murphy!

Then we drove into and around Downey for awhile. Lily immediately fell asleep as soon as we got on the freeway, so we drove around for about an hour so she could get a little nap in. Then I went to the market for supplies while Chip and Lily stayed at my parents house and got the air and hot water on.

Then Linda and Scott came over to play. This is Lily giving her cheesy smile! :)

We had El Taco for dinner and hung out. Poor Lily was exhausted -- she didn't go down until 10pm, which is like 12 Texas time. So I am hoping she sleeps in tomorrow!!! But it was a fun filled day!!