Did you know?

So to wrap up the vacation week, here are some more tidbits. One HUGE thing I didn't know about the coast of Southern California is that we have oil rigs in the ocean digging for oil. They are not only in the water but scattered throughout So Cal. It was very strange to see. We asked each other if we were in Iraq. haha.

Here is an oil rig that is only one block from downtown Huntington Beach. Just fenced off so you can't really see it.

This cute little island off the coast of Long Beach houses oil rigs, as well.

Look at Evie sitting on the porch. She LOVED having a house to run around in. It really has us thinking that a bigger place would make her a little more calm.

We had a side/back yard that was fenced in which was wonderful. But, guess what, Evie didn't really like it! She is not used to being out by herself and when I put her outside, she stood by the door asking to come in! What a baby.

I really love southern CA. I love the weather down there. They don't get the fog that we do and they have warmth & sunshine!! They do also have to worry about mud slides & fires though. I loved Long Beach because it was suburban but a short drive from LA. I think that is what I am yearning for - to live close enough to a city but far enough out to have space & quiet. I've been saying that for a little while now....

Anyway, we had a really great time. I am so excited that we will be home in CT in only 3 weeks!!

Queen Mary

On Sunday, our last day on vacation, we went to the Queen Mary ship for a champagne brunch.

The Queen Mary was an actual cruise ship from the 30's to the early 60's. This ship even went to battle in WWII. The Queen Mary was once the elitest way to travel & celebrities and royals even traveled on this ship. It has since been renovated to be a hotel & house multiple restaurants

There was a HUGE buffet in a large banquet room. I felt like we were on the Titanic. haha. They literally had everything you could imagine from breakfast omelet stations to pasta table to mexican feasts.



Here is my first plate - stir fry rice, a veggie dumpling, ahi tuna, & cheese and crackers.

Here is Erik's - Pancakes, egges, hashbrowns, & a croissant. Very different!

The Luna Guys

After brunch, we walked around the ship. It is huge!

View of Long Beach from the ship

The deck. See the lifeboats hanging in the upper right of the photo?



Lounging on the deck

Photo through the port hole

After Queen Mary, we went back to the house to relax & watch football. We were a little nervous about how Evie would be with the family but she was great. She wasn't scared or anything. She wanted to play with everyone & even stayed up late with Erik's dad to rest on the couch. She does love her Uncle Jaime, too!



But snuggled with Daddy to take a nap.

After watching football all afternoon, we headed to Gallagher's for a little bit. It is a local Irish pub in the neighborhood. We came home around 8 and finished off vacation with a bottle of Alpha Omega wine.



So delish!

On Sunday night, we started to pack up and get ready to leave on Monday morning. The Luna's had a flight in the early afternoon and we were driving back. It was really a great vacation. I loved that we picked a new place to visit and were able to explore with family. This allowed everyone to see a new place and do something different.

Huntington Beach

On Saturday, we went out to lunch in Long Beach to the Belmont Brewing Company. They had a lot of different beers on tap that we all tried.

They had a strawberry ale that was really good!

I had the Santa Fe chicken sandwich which was so good.


Erik had the fish & chips which were also delish.

The restaurant was right on the water so we had a beautiful view.

After lunch, we took a stroll down the pier in Long Beach. It was chilly out!

The Luna's

Me, Erik's Mom & Erik

Me & Erik

It is so pretty here!

After lunch, we decided to take a drive down Pacific Coast Highway(PCH) to Huntington Beach. We arrived around 3:30 and the sun was already starting to set.







Look who we found! Duke. We went to Duke's when we were in Hawaii back in 2005.




After watching the sunset, we headed home. It was great to see more of the CA coast!

Disney Land!

We had such a fun day on Friday at DISNEYLAND!! That place is still really fun even if you are not a kid!

The park was decorated for Christmas!

Here we are in front of Sleeping Beauty's castle.

Erik, His Mom, & Jaime

We stopped in a few shops. Erik found a hat he liked. haha.

Even though Disney Land is smaller than Disney World, we still did not make it through the entire park. We did get on some fun rides though like Space Mountain, Haunted Mansion, Pirates of the Caribbean, & Jungle Cruise.

Here we are on Space Mountain! haha


Pirates & Haunted Mansion are located in New Orleans Square. It really did look like NOLA!

Here is the Princess (& the Frog) singing in New Orleans Sq. Can you believe the only character we saw touring around the park was Buzz Lightyear?

Haunted Mansion was dressed up like Nightmare Before Christmas





The castle, as it started to get dark out.

We stayed for the Christmas Parade, too.



Ariel!

Princesses

Woody

Chip & Dale

Best shot I could get of Mickey. He would not stand still! haha

Pooh on a Sled

Donald Duck

We were so tired at the end of the day. It was such a fun day!