rainy lala land (12/2021)

We have used the past few Christmases to capitalize on our time as a family by both visiting extended family and taking side trips to new destinations. It wasn't the ideal season to see LA but a quick 5 hr ride with access to a free car was a no brainer. Dave let us splurge for a beach hotel and we planned a must see visit to Universal Studios. We woke up watching surfers on the beach and hit all the quintessential Hollywood sites. Unfortunately, there was an unexpected amount of record rainfall throughout the few days we stayed and covid precautions were the strictest in the nation but we wandered around wet and were tested as needed to make it work. I was also able to reunite with Amber who I hadn't seen for 8 years! Breakfast at Grand Central Market was the most pleasant surprise and creating soda pop at Galcos was unpleasantly non-hygienic. Dolly loved all things famous and Kindin said, "I've never seen so many people in one place ever. "

John and Renee met us for an overnight stay in Las Vegas before we flew home. It was fun to spend some quality time with them on the strip. We stayed at the Excalibur, kids swam in the heated but frigid pools, wandered in front of the Bellagio fountains for Mom, and hit the outlets.