Our California Trip: Part #3

When planning the stops of this trip, Laguna Beach was also at the top of our list.  Ron and I both love this beautiful beach town.  It is also home to our favorite breakfast restaurant and favorite beach.  So it was a must after we returned back to the mainland from Catalina Island! 

July 7th--

The family started off the day at Las Brisas for their to-die-for breakfast buffet.  Ron made sure to hit the omelet line and I went straight for their bread pudding with vanilla creme sauce.  We were lucky enough to get a table with a view and enjoyed our meal in peace as Logan slept through the entire thing.  Hooray!

After breakfast, we strolled through the beautiful park that is adjacent to the restaurant.

Lia and some of her pretty flowers that she picked. 

Afterwards, we drove farther south to spend the afternoon at my favorite beach--Thousand Steps.  Although we took Lia here when she was 1 1/2 years old, she doesn't remember it.  So, it was fun to reintroduce her to the beach where Ron and I have so many fond memories.

Mommy and daughter filling up our buckets with sand.

Ron and Lia walking down to the water.

And she's off!

My frolicking Lia.

Hanging out on the beach (or in Logan's case--in a tent).

July 8th--

We check out of our hotel in Orange County on Sunday afternoon after spending several hours at the pool and drove north of L.A. to Santa Clarita where my good friend, Emily, now lives.  We enjoyed meeting her one-year old daughter, Kennedy, for the first time and spending the night at her home.  We were happy to learn that Lia was able to entertain Kennedy for hours. 

The girls at play in the living room.

Two good friends with their girls.

July 9th--

After saying goodbye to Emily and the 100 degree weather in Santa Clarita (yuck!), we drove back down to the cool and balmy Long Beach for one last meal before flying out.  Of course, we had to stop by our favorite Lebanese restaurant, Open Sesame, for some lunch and our favorite bakery, Sweet Jills, for their gigantic desserts before heading back to the airport. 

Here is our slobbery and exhausted baby waiting at the airport gate to fly home.  He really hung in there like a trooper, but was soooo glad to get back on his beloved schedule.  And, honestly, I was, too!  Although it was a great trip from start to finish, it felt so good to be home!