Anniversary Trip to LA

Ryan and I had big plans this year. BIG PLANS. We were going to go to Paris for our 10-year anniversary! We had our passports ready, an open flight to catch (we were flying stand-by), our hotel booked, and a tentative itinerary. But then we checked out the forecast and had second thoughts. It was supposed to pour rain for five of the seven days we would be there. Our hopes were dashed. We didn't want to pay all that money just to get drenched and be frustrated. So we quickly made a back-up plan and flew to Los Angeles.

We spent our first evening in Hollywood. We walked up and down the Boulevard, then stopped at an amazing Greek bistro called "Chicken Dijon." We ate lamb giros, chicken, and the most incredible garlic and feta fries.

Then we went to "Iris," the Hollywood Cirque de Soleil show. We were able to get $133 seats for only $50 each. We've never seen anything quite like it! The choreography, acrobatics, dancing, and music were all so unique and fun. It was quite the experience.

The weather was GORGEOUS and we had a fabulous time at Huntington Beach. We rented this tandem beach cruiser and rode all the way to Newport Beach and back.

Back at Huntington, we played in the waves, rented a volleyball, and soaked up the sun.

We spent the entire next day at Universal Studios. We loved the new rides, Studio Tour, and awesome shows.

Ryan nearly got eaten by Jaws.

I found Curious George and had to get a picture for the kids.

Ryan posed on this huge motorcycle after the Terminator show.

We ate that night in Universal City at a Wolfgang Puck bistro. It was super YUMMY! 

The next day we did a session at the Los Angeles Temple.

Then spent the afternoon at the Getty Museum.

The following day we spent at the "Aquarium of the Pacific" in Long Beach. This was one the jellyfish we saw.

Then we went to the tide pools at Crystal Cove. We loved how peaceful in was to watch the waves splash up all over the rocks.

Ryan found this little guy and coaxed him out from under the rocks.

We went to a local ward building for church on our last day. Then we went to the Griffith Observatory to walk around and check out the beautiful view of the city. Even though the flight looked impossible to catch, the next morning we woke up at 4:00am and tried for the 6:00am flight. By some miracle (and a lot of prayer), we got on! It had been a wonderful vacation, but we were so happy to see our kids again.