Sunday July 6, Josie and I drove from SB to Orange County to visit some dear friends from Chicago. Sandy, Brian, Emma & Catherine did a house swap with Brian's cousins for a month. Last time we saw them was a trip to Chicago when Josie was about 7 months old. Sandy and I were best friends growing up and lived one house apart. She now lives two blocks away from that house. So fun to see them. Emma & Catherine are now Freshman in high school. Brian's cousins have kids around Josie's age so there were plenty of toys for her to play with. We borrowed a stroller which was so handy for SD Zoo and Laguna Beach. They conveniently had a mini van which was perfect. There was a community pool we enjoyed twice. They had season passes to Long Beach Aquarium and discount tix to the SD Zoo. Weather was gorgeous. We had a great 5 days of on-the-go fun mixed in with relaxing at the pool, watching World Cup, and reading. Oh yeah, great food and drink to accompany us along the way. Josie and I were with them for their first taste of In-N-Out.
We ate dinners outside each evening. Josie thought she might sleep in one of the kid's beds upstairs but then opted to sleep with me in the double bed downstairs. One night she rolled out of bed onto the floor and cried but didn't remember it the next morning. Luckily no bruises from landing on the hardwood floor. Emma reading Josie a bedtime story.
A visit to Long Beach Aquarium
Awesome Jellies
Can't remember the name of these very unusual Seahorses
We walked out to the end of the Long Beach pier. The waves were huge.
The next day we drove to Laguna Beach and spent a good chunk of the day at the Beach of One Thoursand Steps. It was obvious where it got it's name.
This gives you a peak at part of the stairs. Josie counted on the way up and I think it was around 270+. Not quite 1000 but it might as well have been. Catherine & Emma bring a volleyball where ever they go. I got to practice with the at the beach and in the backyard. Sandy practiced on the beach with us too. We played on the team together in high school. C & E both made their high school team.
Josie enjoying playing with Catherine then eating her sandy sandwich.
It was a red flag day b/c the waves were huge and undertow powerful. We were playing on the edge and one wave still managed to get Josie and sweep her off her feet. Sandy was right with her and grabbed her before the wave pulled her back towards the sea. That was enough to keep Josie safe and sound by the towels and sand toys.
We drove to the main area of Laguna Beach to grab a snack. It was pretty hot out. Beautiful views.
Back at the house for dinner after showers and baths. Josie and I planned the appetizer of grilled artichokes. Yum! Josie showing Sandy how to make a rubber band bracelet. Brian and Josie being silly.
We spent the next day at home watching World Cup. Josie was in heaven just playing with the toys at the house. We walked over to the pool and Josie met a friend to play with. I got a lot of reading done.
The next day, Thursday, we drove to San Diego Zoo. LOVED it!
We stood in line for a chunk of time to see the Panda Bears. Along the way were Red Pandas and a few other things to see so the long wait wasn't too bad.
The trees and flowers and hilly terrain through out made for quite the spectacular setting.
Josie had fun climbing on the sculptures.
Josie and I rode the sky tram with C & E.
Such a fun trip and sad to say goodbye. When we got home from the zoo after eating dinner at In-N-Out, Josie and I quickly packed up and zipped out the door to head back to SB to avoid the morning traffic through LA.
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