Just the two of us

Hard Rock Cafe at the Universal City Walk

Riding a ferris wheel in Long Beach

We just returned from our first vacation without kids! Seriously, we hardly knew what to do with ourselves. It was so fun being able to stay out late again, eat at "adult" restaurants in peace and spend some quality time with one another- no disractions or responsibilities in our way. I figured we deserved some R&R after the crazy busy year we've had. So here's our travel log. (This may be boring .)

Just Us & Shrek

We spent five days in California. Jus had a CPE (CPA credits) class in Long Beach, CA so we spent the first 2 1/2 days there, then rented a car and drove to L.A. where we spent another 2 1/2 days. Although it was cold for California (about 65-70 degrees), we were still loving it since we left the 15 degree Idaho weather behind.

3D Cool

The funnest Broadway show- Wicked

Since Justin's class was only one day, we were able to do a lot of stuff. We went to the Aquarium of the Pacific-(largest aquarium for Pacific Ocean marine life- it's huge) and attended a holiday dinner show on the Queen Mary (a former cruise ship turned WWII ship)- we also toured the ship- which is said to have many haunted paranormal encounters. We were also able to just stroll around and shop a bit- walked down to the Ocean, went to a late movie, rode a ferris wheel and went to a restaurant just for dessert.

Dinner show on the Queen Mary

At the Aquarium of the Pacific

This one's for Jace- Lots of Nemo's & Dori's

So many cool & weird marine life and did I mention Sharks!

We got to L.A. on Thursday night and took the subway over to Hollywood. Holy cow there's a lot of rif raf on city transportation- we were almost scared for our lives. We saw the Hollywood Walk of Fame, Jimmy Kimmel Live building, Granum Chinese Theatre where the Academy Awards are held, Kodak Theatre (American Idol finals are always here) and saw a movie being taped, but didn't see anyone famous. On Friday we had tickets for Jay Leno, but due to the writers strike it wasn't taping, so we drove to Beverly Hills and saw Rodeo drive, looked at the shops on Melrose Ave, Robertson Ave, Sunset Strip, etc. Still no celebrity sightings- but we did see a lot of very expensive clothes. We also saw the infamous Hollywood sign. Then we went to Universal Studios, ate at the Hard Rock Cafe at the Universal City Walk and went the the Broadway show, Wicked, that night. Totally loved Wicked- so cute.

Saturday it was time to come home, so that morning we rode the bus to L.A's fashion district- tons of street-like vendors that span like 90 blocks, saw a commercial being taped in front of our hotel and then had to hop on the shuttle to take us to the airport.

Ahhh- I just love big cities- love the energy, options, accessibility and the diversity of people. If I didn't value family and stability- I would move to a new place every year- so many cool places out there. Maybe in my next life, I'll get a gig with the travel channel and go explore all the cool places of the world.

Hollywood Walk of Fame & Jus sizing up to Adam Sandler at the Chinese Theatre

Like all trips- so good to go, completly enjoyed ourselves but, always nice to be back home safely with the kiddos. Big thanks to Greg & Tasha for coming and staying at our house and taking care of our kids- we owe ya!