A day in LA!

First of all, I'm embarrassed about the lack of interesting photo's I took today, since we did happen to do some really cool and interesting stuff, but I'm happy to say it was a fun day and there were NO car accidents, just an alarm mishap!

First stop was downtown Los Angeles where we drove in search of the garment district!  I've been a couple times before and have found some great stuff, so I knew Aaron would like it!  I happen to have an excellent memory when it comes to remembering locations, but we drove in circles and circles to no avail.  Uuugghhhh.  :(  

Instead, we parked and headed in search of a cool restaurant for lunch!  Unfortunately, we were nowhere near any cool restaurants, but rather the downtown business area, so we followed the crowds and opted for the ready made section at the local Ralph's Grocery Store!  We shared this platter of unhealthy food!  haha

We had had enough of downtown, and decided it was time for a little beach outing, so we jumped in the car and headed down the FWY to Santa Monica's Promenade!  This is the spot where you can usually spot a famous actor while they're out to lunch or shopping.  Aaron swore he saw famous athletes and a rapper, but couldn't figure out who exactly they were!   

We spent some time perusing the shops at the Promenade before heading to beach...

I love, love, love this photo I took of Aaron with my iphone!

While I didn't take this photo of the Santa Monica Pier, I can say that if I had it would have looked just like this!  It was a beautiful day and Aaron and I were standing right about here as the sun set over the ocean!

After the sun had gone down, we jumped back in the car and headed to Palos Verdes, an upscale hilly community with gorgeous views of the LA area and ocean!  I left all the photo taking of this area to Aaron, but he hasn't uploaded any yet, so you'll have to wait to see how gorgeous it actually was!

We got home around 10pm to find my mom rocking her new Auburn shirt that Aaron gave her for Christmas!  She's a die hard fan and had never had any Auburn clothes, so Aaron decided he would make it a tradition to get her a new shirt every year for Christmas! 

As you can see, she wears them proudly!

Not sure yet what the plan is for tomorrow, but I'm sure we'll make the best of it!  You can't go wrong when you're vacationing in California!

Family photo's with the camera timer!

It's fun to see the types of pictures you can get when you set up your camera on a BBQ and hit the timer!  This family was due for some fun shots, so before we bid farewell to my big sis, Amy, we hung out in the backyard and snapped these photos!

We call this "the sister shot!" and yes, Persia the cat is in it on purpose! 

My parents love this cat like she's their 3rd daughter! :)

Me and my mom!

My sis and mom!

Amy stuck a flower in my mom's shirt, which made her laugh!  I love this shot!

Just as in love as the day they met!

... and always having fun together! 

A girl couldn't ask for a better family!

"Other things may change us, but we start and end with the family."

~Anthony Brandt

The Donut Shop!

There's this tradition between my dad, sister and I that whenever we're home, our dad takes us on a special dad and daughter date to the donut shop down the street.  I always look forward to this time with my dad and of course the delicious cinammon rolls that haven't changed since the first time I ordered one back in Middle School!

My dad never orders a donut, because he's a health nut! 

Instead he sips on coffee and watches my sister and I eat all the junk!

Last year we started a tradition of taking a picture with Singh, the owner.  She knows my dad really well because his office is nearby and she knows all about my sister and I because my dad is Mr. Social and likes to talk about his girls!  

Thanks for such a fun tradition dad!  Amy and I are so lucky you're our dad!

Aaron's here!

We dropped off Amy at Long beach airport tonight and picked up Aaron, 2 hours later at the Orange County Airport!!  I was sooooo happy to see him! 

It had been over a week, which is a long time for the two of us! 

Before heading home, we stopped off for dinner at one of my parent's favorite Tex Mex places for some delicious Mexican food all together!

It's so good to have Aaron here in California with me and my fam!

Tomorrow the two of us are heading to LA for some shopping, photography, beach strolling, and a little sight seeing!  Wish me luck... not sure if I've ever actually driven to LA, much less after a year of not driving!  Crossing my fingers for a safe and fun trip! :) 

All about family!

Today was all about family!  The four of us spent the entire day together, mostly at home, just enjoying each other's company and relishing in the short time we have together (Amy leaves tomorrow... sad). 
It's so good to be home and all under the same roof, together again!

Amy and I took a little sister trip to Starbucks, then TARGET... then Starbucks again! 

Someone's addicted to coffee in this family... and it isn't me. hint hint!

My mom and I went through some old family heirlooms and found this gorgeous broach that belonged to my great grandmother on my mom's side.  I know it's not very cool to wear these in America, but all my co-workers wear them on their blazers in Korea, so now I can join the trend... and how awesome that mine is a family heirloom!  I love it!

My parent's best friends Rick and Sherry came over for a delicious lunch and lots of chatting!  While we're not related by blood, these 2 are just as much family as any blood relatives out there!  They're a special, special couple who I really look up to and adore! 

 

Rick and Sherry are really invested in making a difference in Africa by teaching locals how to dig wells in order to provide fresh water to their villages!  They have the most beautiful hearts and perspective on life...  Sherry brought back a bag full of these hand made paper beads that she had bought from women living in the slums of Compala Africa.  She poured them out and told us each to pick what we'd liked to have.  I chose these 3 that I'll wear proudly!  Thanks again Sher Bear! 

It's 10:45pm now and Everybody Loves Raymond is on the TV, Mom's reading e-mails on her laptop at the kitchen table, Amy's looking frantically for her missing tablet, dad's playing TETRIS in his big comfy chair and I'm blogging at the kitchen table!  Feels so good to be home!

Tomorrow we'll say goodbye to Amy, but Hello to Aaron!   

Happy New Year!