Hollywood/Griffith Park

The Friday after Santa Monica Pier, we headed into Hollywood so Maxi could see the stars on the sidewalk, etc, then headed to the observatory for a viewing of the Hollwood sign, lunch, and walking through the museum.

Then Saturday morning, we headed back to Griffith Park for the train ride and fun stuff! It was so awesome going there because I remember my mom taking us there when we were kids (especially the carousel) and so it was fun taking my kids there. And Justin had come in Friday night so it was doubly fun having him there to share it with us! I sure do miss that man whenever we're separated!

The kids all had a great time on the little train ride and then we headed over to the pony rides right next to it. Everything was so reasonably priced, we got to do everything! Carter really wanted one of the horses that kept trotting, and he got his wish! Hayden also got a trotting horse and I captured the most HILARIOUS picture of him. Kelsie we were a little apprehensive about because she's never done a pony ride before. They took her from Justin, slapped her on that horse and sent her off with no one walking by her! Oh my goodness, I was just thinking, "Ive just sent my baby off on a horse all by herself!" I was afraid at first she would be afraid and try to escape the seat belt, but no! She was so cute and hilarious riding around on that horse. They sent her around the track twice, and that little girl just hung on and thoroughly enjoyed it!

After the pony ride, we got back in the car to go see our beloved carousel we so fondly remembered from childhood. It was so awesome being able to see that place again. So, we all had a fun time riding that, then we were off to Grandma's house again for some Easter fun!

Santa Monica Pier

For spring break a couple weeks ago, we decided to head to California a little early this time (we always go for Easter) so we could show Maxi some sites since she's set to go home in 5 short weeks! She really wanted to see Hollywood while she was here, so we had to do it! Justin couldn't take off work to come early with us...well, the proper word is wouldn't, ha ha. That man does NOT like taking days off work. So, it was the kids and myself, my mom, Robert & Maxi. Thursday was our first official site-seeing day and we went to Santa Monica Pier. It was beautiful! A little bit of a chilly wind going on, but beautiful :)

We first ventured onto the pier. We walked to the end and back, then decided to ride some carnival rides. Well, Carter also wanted to try one of the games where you shoot the water gun to race your character to the top. Guess what? He WON!!! First try! And he got a giraffe pillow pet. He was super excited. So, we tried to win one for Kelsie too, but failed. Robert went to the basketball hoops to try and win something and they gave him the ugliest purple stuffed dog you'll ever see! But now guess what? Kelsie LOVES it!!! Ha ha...it is very unattractive, but she still is sleeping with it 2 weeks later, so thanks Uncle Robert!

We couldn't talk Grandma Kirkham into going on the ferris wheel with us, but we all squeezed in a boat-thing and had a good time on that. Kelsie would say "Wheee!" every time we went around. However, then we got stuck at the top when they were unloading, it was a little windy, and Kelsie was getting antsy sitting there. AAAH! Good thing I had secret ammo of M&M's in my purse! It lasted her until we got off :)

After riding some rides, we headed down to play on the beach for a bit. Our kids LOVE water and sand, so you can guess how much they love the beach. The water was not warm by any stretch of the imagination, but they didn't care! Kelsie's little teeth were chattering, but she didn't want to give up...yet. She eventually became too freezing and I talked them into going back to play in the sand. However, Kelsie was cold and tired and just wanted to be snuggled. Which I didn't mind one bit! So I snuggled with her while Robert buried Carter in the sand! And then they kinda buried Maxi.