Girls Weekend in LA Day 1

Last Spring Julie, Kara and I became really close friends. Our kids were in the same kindergarten class. We spent the spring/summer going to the park, pool, lake, 4th of July Pool party & girl night outs! We had so much fun together...and then Julie moved back home to Southern California. It was hard to loose such a close friend...so Kara and I decided we would go down to Southern California and spend a weekend with Julie and make it a "Girly" Fun Weekend!

So we started planning our trip back in November...we picked a weekend when the Daddy's could stay home on Monday and watch the kiddos. We really tried to get tickets to see the "Ellen" Show but they are impossible to get. I checked their website 2 times a day and when the tickets came available I requested them within an hour...and we waited for a call for weeks...no call...we were sooo sad! No such Luck! As backups we got tickets to Dr Phil and the Bonnie Hunt Show. Sadly we couldn't do both shows...so we picked the Bonnie Hunt. It was a lot of fun!

We spent the weekend talking, laughing, shopping, walking, EATING, touring, smiling, sleeping, & pampering ourselves! The trip went perfect...everything worked out in our favor! The weather showed rain on 2 out of 3 days there. We were worried because we knew we would be outside most of the trip. I am happy to report that the only time we felt rain was walking to the car at 10:30pm after our day of shopping! It rained during the night but never during the day...we were so Lucky!

Warning: Picture over load...and it was hard to pick some to post. We took so many fun pictures! We documented everything! Enjoy!!!

Day 1: Shopping and Pampering!

Kara and I arrived at 11:30am. The flight was on time and relaxing. We headed straight over to a beautiful outdoor shopping center called "Victoria Gardens." It was so nice and had every store we liked. We shopped and shopped! We took a lunch break at PF Changs. And then did more shopping. Then Pedicures and crepes for dessert! We stayed up late planning for our Hollywood day and talking. It was a great start to our fun weekend!

We all picked crazy outfits to try on...it was fun! These were at H&M.

After hours of shopping...it felt so good to relax and get a pedicure! Loved it!!!

Our new shiny toes!

After our pedicure...we went next door and had crepes for dessert! So yummy!!!!!!

Girls Trip Day 2- Hollywood

I was so excited for this day....

I have always wanted to see "Hollywood."

I love movie stars...probably too much!

Day 2: Hollywood

We had a nice drive into downtown LA/Hollywood. We arranged for our "Hollywood Home Tour".. while we waited for our departure we had lunch at California Pizza Kitchen. It was really delicious. For our tour, we rode in a van with an open top. It was really fun. We drove around for two hours. We went down sunset strip, Rodeo drive, Beverly Hills, Hollywood sign lookout, and through most of the stars neighborhoods. I was excited to see Jennifer Aniston's new home...even though we could only see the roof. We saw the house that Brad and Jennifer lived in before their divorce, Michael Jackson's house he died in, Elvis, Dr Phil (Beautiful house with greenery all over it), Beckham's, Tom Cruise, Tori Spelling's HUGE house, Cortney Cox (Her nanny drives a nice Lexus), Johnny Deps new house (He has a party that night so his house was hopping with people prepping for the party), Orlando Blooms (he had cops, helicopters at his house earlier that day), Jay Leno, National Security Offices in Beverly Hills, (they are too good for a normal office..they have to have a mansion), I know I am missing memorable ones..we saw over 70 houses. It was an awesome tour! Did you know that most of the stars drive Black or white Range Rovers around town. We stopped at the "Hollywood" lookout and took pictures. Did you know it originally said "Hollywoodland?"

After our tour, we walked around the Hollywood Walk of Fame. Did you know the stars have to pay $25,000 to get a star? Crazy...no wonder we couldn't find Jennifer Aniston's. We then walked around the famous hand & foot prints and signatures of stars infront of the Chinese theatre. In order to get a spot you have to have 5 blockbusters and been in the business 10 yrs. We walked around for awhile and then we asked if Brad Pitt had one and they told us his was by George Clooney and we realized we missed his because he just signed it with a "BP." No one was taking pictures by his because they didn't know it was his...but we DID!

When we bought our tour they gave us free tickets to see "Madame Tussauds" wax museum. We were so excited. It saved us $25. Gotta love that. It was fun walking around and taking photos with the celebrities. They were so life-like. We had fun! Right outside of the museum they had a special red carpet event going on...so we stood outside and watched the action. They had Disney channel stars. It was fun to see a red carpet event.

Finally we ended the fun-filled day with dinner at the Cheesecake Factory. It was so yummy! The cheesecake was amazing too. Kara and I fell asleep in the car riding home and we slept sooooo well that night. We were exhausted!

Hollywood was awesome!

Brad Pitt's Block!

We aren't single but we had fun singing!

Gotta kiss Brad!

Girls Trip Day 3- Newport Beach

Day 3: Newport Beach

Today was a very relaxing, slow paced day. We went to Newport Beach! It was beautiful. We rented beach cruiser bikes and rode down the coastline beach path. I have always wanted to do this and was excited the girls wanted to do it too. We rode down to another pier and then back. Round trip it was an hour and a half bike ride. I would love to have a house on the beach if I had a few mill!

The wind picked up just in time for lunch at Ruby's. I love this cute diner. The food is delicious and setting is beautiful at the end of the pier.

After the beach we headed to see the movie, "Valentines Day."

We ended the evening with face masks with cucumbers and all.

It was fun and relaxing!

Girls Trip Day 4-Bonnie Hunt Show!!!!

Day 4-Bonnie Hunt Show

One of the highlights of our trip was going to the Bonnie Hunt Show. It was a lot of fun. We waited in line for 1 1/2 hours and it was worth it. We were the 3rd group in line and got amazing seats right behind Don the producer. We even got the free hot dog and root beer! The guests on where: Parker Posey (actress), Matt Bomer (White Collar), and Brian Kiley (comedian). During the opening dialogue, they talked about the bachelor and acted out a dancing scene that was funny. After the taping ended, Bonnie Hunt walked around and I shook hands with her. We had a great time! It was on TV the following day and it was fun watching us on TV. You can watch the clip below. You can see us in the very beginning for one second and then in the last minutes we are on ALOT while Don is dancing. We are right behind him.

After the show, we went to lunch at Chipotle. And then sadly drove to the airport to go home. It was bitter sweet. We missed our families and knew they needed us home but we had such a great time with each other that we didn't want it to end. The weekend went by too fast and we had a WONDERFUL time! Julie was a wonderful host and we felt very welcome! Thanks Julie! And Thanks to our wonderful husbands who took care of the kiddos so we could have some much needed Mommy/Girly time!

ME on the Bonnie Hunt Show!!!!

We had a girls weekend in LA this past weekend...and one of the highlights was seeing Bonnie Hunt! It was soooo fun!!!! We are in this clip at the very beginning and then during the last minute of the clip. Don is dancing and we are right behind him. I was with my friends, Kara and Julie! We had a great time! After the taping, Bonnie walked around the audience for a minute and she shook my hand! Love it!

I'm a lucky lady!

My Hubby LOVES ME!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

When I came home from my trip I found this.....what a SMILE I had on my face! I LOVE IT!!!!!!!!! ALL OF IT!!!!!!!!!!!!! Eric was out of town for my bday in December so he decided to make it up by celebrating my bday every month on the 22nd....so sweet!!!!!!!! I am being spoiled! I have wanted one of these bikes for a long time. (Basket and all). I love the one Eric picked. It is perfect...he did so GOOD! I can't wait to ride it around...I LOVE IT! Thanks Sweetie!!!!!

Daddy/Kids Weekend!

Eric and the kids had a great weekend while I was gone. They spent a lot of time organizing his shop, working on his motorcycle, playing/training the dogs (we got a new dog, Bailey. She is a black lab 1 yr old puppy and she has LOTS of energy).

Eric wanted to take the kids camping but it was raining so it altered his plans...so he set up the tent in the shop and he told them scary stories and they slept in the tent. The kids loved it. Eric didn't sleep too well because he kept waking up and having to cover the kids to keep them warm. The kids were so excited to show me the tent when I got home. The little things that make kids SOOO happy!

Brooklyn had Monday off so Eric took the day off to spend with the kids. He took them to Chucky Cheeses and the frozen yogurt shop in Santa Rosa. They had so much fun! The kids have been asking for months to go to Chucky Cheese...so they were so excited!

Eric and the kids had a great weekend! Lasting memories with Daddy!

Valentines Dinner/Dance!!!

We had a FABULOUS time at our annual adult dinner/dance last Friday night! It was so much fun. I helped plan and setup the party. Lots of hearts! Everything worked out perfect. We had a great Tri-Tip dinner (The best Tri-Tip I have ever had! and that says something..I am not a huge red meat person).

We then played a conversational game among our tables. It was actually really fun. Everyone picked a question out of a bowl and answered it. They were all questions about dating, popping the question, wedding, love, honeymoon, best trips together, etc...It was a lot of fun learning about the other couples. We had a great time. I picked out the "Proposal" question...it is a really good story that I will share on April Fools...so stay tuned. It is a story that very few people know.

And then the best part of the night started...DANCING! We learned a few SWING DANCING moves and then just had fun Swinging. Eric and I had a great time. I have never danced SWING with Eric like that. We just had sooo much fun. He even had me flip over his back...it was funny because I didn't really know what to do and paused on his back before I flipped...everyone laughed. It was funny. I loved DANCING WITH MY HUBBY!!!!!!!!!!! I really want to take Swing Dancing classes...I love dancing with Eric. Good Times! Happy Times!

"Trying" one of our tricks!

Slow Dance Time!

A few of our dancing friends!
Jake and Kathy
Michael and Jetta
Kara and Dan
I don't want to forget to mention Rich and Brianne..We had a great time with them too...

She was feeding her adorable baby while we took these pictures!

IT WAS A GREAT DATE NIGHT!!!

My Valentines!

My Cute Valentines!

I just LOVE these kiddos!

Happy LOVE Day!

Happy LOVE day, Sweetie!

Thanks for making me feel loved!

I love you,

xoxox

Your Love!

Brooklyn's 100th Day Project

Next week is the big day...100th day of school. Brooklyn had to do a project of any kind to illustrate 100 item or things. She decided she wanted to take 100 photographs with our camera. She was so excited to take pictures. She walked around and took pictures of everything and everyone. She walked around our house, around the yard, Eric's work, the neighbors house, and a few of her friends. She loved this project and she was so excited to take it to school today!

Brooklyn also let me know that yesterday was "Hump Day." She is officially on her second half of 1st Grade! She loves first grade and she especially loves her teacher...Mrs. Addis. Mrs. Addis has a sense of humor and makes the kids laugh. She is also a tough teacher. She really pushes her first graders to be the very best. I love it! Brooklyn has learned so much already this year and I can't wait to see how much she learns the second half! Brooklyn will have a great start to 2nd grade!!!

Finally Reunited again!

This morning, we got the call that Grandpa Petersen had passed away in his sleep. Finally he has been reunited with his sweet heart, Maxine Petersen. His sweetheart died in 2008 from a long batter with cancer. Grandpa has a difficult last five years with dementia and alzheimers and a few stokes along the way. I am sure he had a fabulous reunion...I can just see Grandma waiting with open arms and a big smile for him!!!!!

Eric's Parents, Jo and Rod have done an amazing job caring for Grandpa. I know it was very challenging for them but now Grandpa is smiling down at them!!! I know he appreciates all their love and care they gave him.

In September we went to Utah for a mini family reunion and took family pictures. It is nice to have a few pictures with Grandpa in them!

Grandpa moved his chair in so he was in the picture...it was cute and funny. His mind wasn't all there but he knew he wanted to be in our picture. So we took a few with him.
We took this one earlier in the day...with Grandpa!

In 2005, all the Redford/Petersens went to Hawaii for a family reunion. Grandma loved to get all her children together for reunions. She loved her Grandchildren and Great Grandchildren very much.

In 2003, We drove up to Washington to surprise Eric's mom for her birthday. Grandma and Grandpa drove over from Tacoma to see us. They loved playing with Brooklyn (6 months).

Just last week...I spent hours cleaning out the filing cabinet and I found this letter from Grandma Petersen. She loved it when Brooklyn and Easton would send cards, pictures and call her. I am glad I kept this letter...Grandma was a sweetheart!

I am truely happy that Grandma and Grandpa are reunited at last. I know they both have been waiting for this day for the last year and a half!