Mission Bay

The last three weeks of summer have been unusually warm so we decided to take a day to go to Mission Bay and ride the Sea Doos.  Unfortunately my mom got really sick and could not go.  Our family, Jim, Deeanna and Matt (a friend of Mackenzie's) all went.  

Well, the unseasonally hot weather turned cold that day!  It was probably in the 60's all day...we were freezing!!  Despite the cold weather we had a lot of fun riding around and the kids loved tubing!  I did not get many pictures but here are a few that I did get:

Sheraton Universal

I cannot finish our LA Adventure post without mentioning the food at the hotel.  We are Starwood Preferred Guest so when we stay at a Starwood property we get access to the club level for free breakfast and appetizers.  

The Universal Sheraton did not disappoint!  Their idea of appetizers was our idea of dinner...taquitos, pizza, sandwiches, cheese sticks, vegetables, fruit, crackers, cheese, root beer floats and cookies.  Those are just a few things they had for us!  Most people on the club level are business travelers so when our family of six would walk in every morning and afternoon it was a shock!

 Meredith really enjoyed the root beer floats.  The gingerbread men were cute, but they needed hot chocolate to dip them in!

 Here is some of the mess we would leave behind...yes we are pigs!

Lastly I had to snap this picture of Trevor sleeping.  Since I can remember he has slept like this with his hands behind his head.  He is such a sweet and handsome boy!!!

Day in LA

 After our fun day at Universal Studios we spent the next day seeing the sights of Los Angeles.  The teenage daughters have been asking us to take them there so this was their day!  There was a little bit of everything for everyone in LA!

First a stop for spiritual enrichment at the LA Temple.  This is where Ryan and I were married 20 years ago!

 Then we went for a walk down Hollywood Boulevard to see Mann's Chinese Theater and lots of stars and weirdos!

Here is where Meredith found "her" star!!

Mackenzie found a new occupation!

Madalyn loves the show "Fashion Police"

Then onto Rodeo Drive in Beverly Hills

We fulfilled our sweet tooth with ice cream from Sprinkles ice cream and cupcakes.  I like the cupcakes better.  The strawberry is super fresh and the red velvet is super yummy.  However the mint chocolate chip is not very good at all.  I hear their banana is really good, but they did not have it available when we were there.

We satisfied Trevor's love of cars by viewing this Buggati.  

An LA must for any teenage girl obesessed with the movie "500 Days of Summer".  Visit the bench where part of the movie was filmed.  This was on Mackenzie's "bucket list"...check!

The bench is located at Angels Park next to the Angels Flight.

Olvera Street was the next stop.  It was so hot that we did not enjoy it as much as we could have.  Trevor bought a mini guitar here and is loving it!  After being in LA he is now aspiring to play his guitar on the sidewalk for money.  His goal... $10 day!  We ate not at any recommended food place there because it was so hot.  Our only requirement was air conditioning!!  It was still yummy!

Next was Chinatown.  It was pretty dead....however we had fun checking out the hanging duck, paper lanterns and the mini turtles. 

It was a long, hot and fun day in LA! 

Universal Studios

Our family went to Universal Studios.  It was a first for the kids and it had been about 20 years since Ryan and I had been there.  

It was lots of fun!  The tram ride has changed a lot, but the Jaws and flood scene are still around.  The Godzilla/Jurasic Park special effects were super cool!!!

The girlies pretending to direct a movie

A scene from an airplane crash..using a real plane!  

 The BEST part of the day was the Transformers Ride.  It was phenomenal!!!!!  The 3D effects and the motion of the ride was so realistic.  Our entire family kept raving about the ride!

We all got completely soaked on the Jurasic Park Ride which was good because it was a warm day!

Lucille Ball!  The kids had no idea who she was.haha!

Eating Crickettes was on Trevor "bucket list".  So when we found this box of Bacon and Cheese Crickettes the challenge was issued.  He actually really liked them.  Guess he can check that off his list!

During the tram ride we drove down Wisteria Lane.  I have to admit that I was a Desperate Housewives dedicated follower.  It was a total guilty pleasure of mine so I was thrilled to see the actual sets for the show!  See if you recognize who's house is who's!

Bree Van de Kamp

Lynette

Susan Delfino

Gabby Solice

Cute carmel apples!

There was a mock Olympic podium...Trevor and Madalyn were fighting for the Gold!

The girls loved the saying in this picture "You Don't Become A Hero By Being Normal"...gee I wonder why??!!

The girls would love to have these vespas to drive around....actually so would I!!

Mr. Bean's car

Madalyn posted this picture on Instagram and said "I have the best parents ever!!".  She was completely kidding not thinking people would actually believe we took her to London.  Unfortunately people did believe her!  She felt terrible once she realized no thought she was joking!  

While in LA the streets were in major need of some repair.  No worries, my kids helped out on some of the repairs!

This movie is a favorite of the kids!