c's 79th week

Our last week in North America was fabulous! We were able to enjoy so many great things that California and life in the States has to offer.  We ate lots of yummy foods (loved the mexican food truck nearby), went shopping a couple more times, and hung out with my brother.  The highlights though were definitely our day at DISNEYLAND and celebrating the 4th of July.

Disneyland was a treat we received from friends.  We basically went all day, from about 11am - 8pm.  It was exhausting, but so totally worth it! C really got into it and enjoyed all of the rides.  He only cried once on the carousel, which he road like a champ the second time round.  He took a nice long nap when we stood in line for our first time on It's a Small World, but couldn't stop pointing at everything he saw when we went on it again.  He napped in line, through the ride, and even long enough for Matt and I to go on a couple of roller coasters.  It was fabulous.  We hustled through the day and were able to go on about 15 rides.  The night ended with the amazing fireworks.  It was a really memorable day.  Can't wait to do it again when C's older!

We celebrated the 4th with my brother's friends.  It was the day before we had to leave, so it was all a bit hectic.  We went to Redondo Beach and had a fun party at his friend's house.  There was swimming, a bbq, delicious foods/snacks, and nice people.  Later in the evening, we also caught a firework show from the rooftop of where we were staying for the night.  C loved it all!

July 1 - July 7


Getting ready to enter Disneyland!


Let the fun begin!


Enjoying flying on Dumbo!

C loved it, honest.  He loved it so much, he fell asleep while waiting in line for It's a Small World! :)

Crying on the carousal.  

We went on about 15 rides, which is unheard of apparently! So fun!

Happy Fourth of July!

(How lame am I for only getting this one photo?!?)

...All About C...

C has been a trooper with all of the shopping we've done while in California.  It isn't always fun, but he's managed just fine.  Bert really helped us out as he took a day off to help watch C at the mall while Matt and I got our shopping on.  We bought a lot and were pretty fast with it all even if the guys don't think so! HA!

C's done a great job of meeting new people.  During this trip, he's had the chance to meet a lot of people and he's enjoyed everyone he's met.  Lots of credit goes to all of the amazing people we've met as they've got out of their way to include the three of us and make us all feel welcome.  Yay for new friends!

(Linking up with Our World Tuesday, P52 Sweet Shot Tuesday, Wednesdays Around The World, Little Things Thursday, 

Photo Story Friday, Favorite Photo Friday, Practicing Simplicity, Simple Things Sunday, and Sunday Snapshot.)

c's 78th week

We have so enjoyed our first week in LA.  My brother has been an awesome host welcoming us into his space.  We started off our time by taking a day to just relax and decompress.  Then I took the plunge and drove my brother's truck all over the place.  It was quite nerve wracking to drive again (on the wrong side of the road), but I have to say that I got the hang of it pretty quick! HA! I drove us around a bunch of times during our time in LA.  Some highlights this week include heading over to Venice Beach, going to Santa Monica, heading over to Redondo Beach, and hanging around downtown LA.

Since being in LA, we have enjoyed hanging out with my brother.  It's been so nice to see what his life is like and to be introduced to all that is important to him.  He's been a trooper and has taken us out to different places and has let us me shop while he runs around after C.  We have been to Target, been to grocery stores including a Trader Joe's, and have been to a couple of malls so that I can get my shopping on.  I'd just like to tell you that shopping with a kid around is not nearly as fun as doing it on my own.  :)

We have also had some amazing food while out here in LA.  We've had a lot of Mexican food and we are loving it! I've also had some Panda Express and a handful of Krispy Kreme donuts.  Yum! It is crazy what sorts of things you miss when you live overseas.

A personal highlight for me was being able to catch up with a bunch of friends from University.  Since our time was tight, we weren't able to do a lot with my friends, so I am thankful to have been able to catch up with a few of them over some fabulous meals.  I have to be honest in saying that I wish I could have met up with more friends, but it is really hard to put yourself out there to try to get people to get together when it's been so long since I last saw them.  My time at University was brilliant and I made many wonderful friends, but it's been basically a decade since I've seen many of them and to push to see them in person instead of just on facebook was not something I felt comfortable doing.  Hopefully next time I'll put aside my fear and make more of an effort.

June 24 - June 30

First time at the beach.  It was cool and windy.  C loved chasing the birds!


Hanging in his awesome new shark stroller from TARGET!
We didn't bring our big one as we were hoping to get an umbrella stroller.


Uncle Bert swinging C in downtown LA.

LOVE my boy.

C so enjoyed hanging with his Uncle!

We saw a neat tattoo exhibit at a museum.

(Matt and I found it difficult taking C to the museum as he was loud and wanted to touch everything.)

C's second trip to the beach.  He wasn't such a fan to begin with, but eventually warmed up to it.  

He didn't like the water, but did run around in the sand.

...All About C...

C has had a great week.  He's really enjoyed hanging with Uncle Bert and warmed up to him very quickly.  It's been fun watching the two of them interact with one another and I'm so thankful to have a brother that will humor his nephew the way he does.

C's had to become fairly flexible this week with his schedule.  We've been out and about a lot, so C has learned to nap on the go.  Also because of my brother's work, our dinners have been far later than we are used to.  Thankfully C hasn't seemed to mind too much and has remained a happy camper.  I think it has been hard for Matt and I though as we do like the structure of our routines, so being without it can be quite difficult.

This week, C was able to experience the beach for the first time ever.  He didn't love it initially, but he did grow to like it and be comfortable on it.  He was fine on the sand, but even though he loves the water, the waves were just too much for him to handle.  I think we'll have to take him to a Thai beach someday soon as I'm absolutely sure he'll love it.

(Linking up with Our World Tuesday, P52 Sweet Shot Tuesday, Wednesdays Around The World, Little Things Thursday, 

Photo Story Friday, Favorite Photo Friday, Practicing Simplicity, Simple Things Sunday, and Sunday Snapshot.)