Californiacation

Is that where that word came from?  "Californiacation" = California Vacation?  (PS This post took me a while- thanks to Teri for telling me how to edit pictures.)

Dan, Dyllan and I just got back from a week down in Southern California.  We had the best time ever!  We stayed with Grandpa Sussex Wednesday and Thursday nights- hung out with Eileen and Kent and their girls Natalie and Kaitlin.  It was fun seeing Dyllan and Kaitlin together.  They got to spend a bit of time together as Eileen and I tag teamed babysitting (Eileen- I think I owe you a little babysitting time still..) 

Dan and Grandpa at the Trump National Golf Course down the road.

Dyllan fell asleep on the drive home from the airport.

Grandpa is babysitting Dyllan and Kaitlin, see?

Dyllan helps Grandpa bring in the nnewspaper.

Early morning run

Pretty happy with her new rolling chair

Thursday, I got a taste of what it would feel like to have twins - and its a handful when they are on different schedules.  Meanwhile, Dan and Grandpa went out to find an exercise bike for Grandpa's knee rehab.  Grandpa recently had knee surgery, and he's got some work to do before he can walk without help again.  Dan spent a bit of time going over Grandpa's physio exercises- and really motivated him to get on board with his program. 

Thursday night Eileen and Kent babysat while Dan and I met up with Jenni Backes and her boyfriend Alan for dinner, drinks, and a night on the town in Hermosa.  Hermosa was a blast- and so was hanging out with Jenni and her friends!  We had such a good time that we ended up spending the night on Eileen and Kent's couch next to Dyllan in her tent.  Of course Dyllan woke up at 3am, and again at 6am.  We headed back to Grandpa's to rest at 6am...

Teri and Colby planned an exciting Girls Weekend- complete with an itinerary! 

They did a fantastic job- we all had the best weekend ever!

Dan dropped Dyllan and I off in Manhattan Beach to meet my friends for a girls weekend.  First, we met for lunch and sangria's on the patio at Simmzy's.  It was the first time many of the girls had seen Dyllan- very exciting!  I think she's at a great age to meet her- since she's laughing, and so fun now!  She LOVED all the attention for her aunties.  After lunch we went back to our hotel- and the girls threw me a surprise baby shower!  Totally unexpected- and really sweet.  Lisa made Dyllan an Australian themed quilt with pieces of fabric hand picked from each girl.  It turned out awesome- and who knew Lisa was such a quilter!  Very impressive.  After spoiling Dyll Bug- we went to dinner in Manhattan and headed back to the hotel to put the Pickle to bed.  We hung out in the other room- and stayed up late talking and laughing and reminiscing about the good old days..

Lisa and Teri at Simmzy's

Dyllan loves her new quilt Lisa made.

Australian Theme Quilt

It tastes good too.

Dyllan and all her aunties.

While I had Dyllan Friday - Dan met up with the guys and had a boys night in Hollywood. 

We all met down on the beach in Manhattan on Saturday morning after breakfast.  We did a baby swap- and Dyllan went with Dan and Jake down to Jake and Colby's house in Newport.  The boys were pretty tired- so they didnt mind a quiet night in with the Bug.  Dyllan went to bed at 7:30pm and the boys passed out at 8:00pm.

Dyllan is just one of the girls.

Auntie Jenny

Cruising the Strand- looking for our favorite houses.

California Dreaming

Hanging out with the Ladies.

Loving the Beach.

All the Girls

So much attention.

Saturday night us girls partied like rockstars!  We went out on the town for Lisa's batchelorette.  We started with dinner at a Mexican restaurant in Manhattan called Pancho's.  Lisa opened gifts- and we drank Margarita's.  We spotted Kristin Cavalari from the Hills at the table behind us- and Lisa got a picture with her.  Then we hopped in a limo and headed for Hollywood where we had a reservation at a fun Burlesque bar called La Descarga.  We entered through a closet- which took us down a spiral staircase and into the bar.  We felt like VIP.  Lisa entertained us all with her dance moves- and even impressed her partner- a dance instructor!  We met the owner of the bar- who took us back to a private Cigar room- where we sat next to Joaquin Phoenix, Eva Mendes, and Casey Affleck.  We all had the best time ever.  We stayed till the bar was closing- then headed back to the hotel and stayed up till 4am talking and laughing. 

Pancho's Mexican Restaurant for Lisa's Batchelorette

Penis Straws- obviously.

Spotted:  Kristin Cavalari from the Hills

Limo Ride to La Descarga in Hollywood

Lisa's performance.

Private Table

Our booth

Lisa showing the Dance instructor how its done.

Heading home.

Sunday we went to breakfast in Manhattan and parted ways.  Jake,  Dan and Dyllan came to meet me in Manhattan for the afternoon- there was a volleyball tournament happening on the beach, beach cruisers everywhere, surfers out in the water, dog walkers and joggers along the strand, suntans and beautiful people everywhere!  We loved Manhattan.

Dyllan loooves Jake! 

I liked this painting

Monday we spent the morning jogging around Hermosa and hanging out with Grandpa.  Dan went to Grandpa's doctor appointment with him in the afternoon- where we learned some disappointing news.  Grandpa's surgery didnt work- and he will need to do it again.  Grandpa handled the news well- and will hopefully get back on the train to recovery soon.  Meanwhile- he will continue with his exercise bike and doing a few strengthening exercises to make the recovery go smoother and faster this next time around.   

Grandpa with Kaitlin and Dyllan

Bath time in Grandpa's kitchen sink

Natalie, Dyllan and I

Monday afternoon we dropped the Dyll Pickle off with Eileen and took her beach cruisers for a ride along the beach.  We LOVED this- could probably do it every night (if we had a little seat for Dyllan, of course).  We rode from Hermosa Beach to Marina Del Rey and back.  The temperature was perfect- and everyone was in summer mode.  Beach Volleyball players still out playing, swimmers and surfers still in the water, people walking or biking to the restaurants, bbq's on the beach- as the sun was setting over the ocean.  Paradise.

Tuesday we headed down to Newport Beach to visit Jake and Colby.  We spent a few hours at the beach while they finished up work early.  We met Jamison and Ben Easton at the beach for a surf (well Dan went for a surf- Ben went swimming- and Jamison, Dyllan and I stayed on the sand).  We met up with Colby and Jake for dinner- and went to this great seafood restaurant on the bay.  Life down in Newport is picture perfect.  

Dyllan ordered a dirty martini.

Uncle Jake and Auntie Colby are so fun!

"mmmm Gimme Salad!"

"No- Give it to ME."

"Thanks."

I love Jacolby

Wednesday- we were sad to leave.  Grandpa drove us to the airport- as we talked the entire way about how much we loved it there.  We will be back...