I left Colorado Springs and drove to my parents house so that Grandma & Grandpa could take me to D.I.A. shortly after 4 a.m. on Tuesday. I made it to L.A.X. without difficulty, check-in was quick and painless, they didn’t even check my baggage. I got to L.A. at 8:40 a.m. and quickly found the baggage claim and called Nicky. Nicky, Matt, and Joey picked me up and we headed back to their apartment in San Pedro to change clothes for the beach. We went to Torrance/Redondo Beach and had a great time in the sun and ocean. We had a late lunch at In-N-Out that was SO yummy. Thank God for protein style. 🙂 I took a much needed nap after the beach and waited at the hotel for Casey to get off of work. For dinner we drove down to the Third Street Promenade. Casey and I settled on some tasty Greek food at an outdoor cafe and then went shopping. I picked up a super cute cami from American Eagle and Casey got to check out the Apple Store. Third Street in Santa Monica is my new favorite street.
Yesterday, Nicky & Jason and the boys picked me up to go see the Walk of Fame, Graumann’s Chinese Theater, and the Kodak Theater (where the Academy Awards are held). After driving around for awhile, we finally found it and had a really good time getting lunch and walking around. I got some good pics and hope to get more next time we make it down there. They all had our trip to Hollywood a little short because they had church plans so I came back and took another nap. For dinner we went to the Sushi Lounge and for dessert had Starbucks. Since the hot tub closes at the Doubletree at 10 p.m. we were happy to make it back around 9 to enjoy it. Gotta love hotel amenities.
Unfortunatley, we didn’t see any celebrities while we were there. Although, I saw a guy that kinda looked like Martin Short at the airport and a Secret Service guy there too. Could it be that Air Force One landed there instead of in O.C.? Maybe…
On the way back from the Federal Building on Thursday, Casey and his group stopped at Best Buy and Casey picked up Will & Grace Season 1. They picked me up and we headed back to the Third Street Promenade in search of dinner. We walked down and then back up with nothing looking TOO intriguing and finally settled on PF Changs. It was SO much better than the last time Casey and I went and for dessert we went to the Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf. It was a good night and bittersweet since it would be our last night in L.A.
Casey found out Thursday afternoon that his trip was being cut short and that he would be leaving early. Unfortunately, we both ended up leaving yesterday to come home. I had to make a few phone calls but I managed to get the ride situation all worked out. Nicky and the boys took me to LAX and In-N-Out and Mom and Jim picked me up from DIA and took me to Baja Fresh. Sadly, I wasn’t able to make it Del Taco but will make a special trip to the one in Vegas in October! The plane ride to Denver was SO turbulent that the pilot couldn’t turn off the ‘fasten seat belt’ sign for more than like 15 minutes at a time. Out the window we could see Las Vegas (only 8 weeks now!!!) and the northern rim of the Grand Canyon. I managed to get an exit row on the way back but really should have asked for a complimentary first class upgrade. It had occurred to me while I was waiting but didn’t think it was going to be possible. But I was wrong cause a bunch of other people asked AND they pulled a couple of people from coach to first class to fill up the seats. 🙁 I’ll know for next time to ALWAYS ask. The guy next to me on the exit row was really nice and works for DirecTV in Englewood and offered a free system to me or anyone in my family and gave me his card. Even after boarding 30 minutes late we still made it back only a few minutes later than we were originally scheduled. We made it back to the Springs and then I hung out at my parents house until it was time to pick up Casey. We were both tired from flying and headed to bed pretty soon after getting home. It’s good to be in our own apartment but sad to have left L.A. It was a nice mini vacation!
I have to add that I have the smartest nephews…EVER. They are SO cute and smart. Joey sings his ABCs to himself in the car and his favorite shape is the trapezoid – a triangle with its head cut off. And Matt has WAY more knowledge than most 3 year olds and 4 and 5 years olds for that matter. He introduced me to everyone as “MY Aunt Kelly from Colorado.” It’s the sweetest thing. I’m so proud of them for being so smart AND poliet. Matt is the most poliet child I have ever encountered, he says “Excuse me, Mama. I have something to say.” Aw. I’m gonna miss them. But I’ll get to see everyone in October. Hopefully everyone’s trips are now booked.
I didn’t get the chance to take many pictures but I’ll upload them sometime this weekend. Stay tuned….