Hi all. Sorry for the delay in updating.
Our entire home has been sick. We are fairly healthy people but this flu is literally kicking our can.
After a wonderful Thanksgiving and the day after to recuperate, it was time for vacation!!!!! We secured Guinness at the kennel the day before and arranged with a neighbor to water the Christmas tree and keep an eye on the house. I felt pretty good leaving; we had an amazing trip planned.
We had an early morning flight to Long Beach from SLC and made it to the airport and through security in no time. DH and I have Global Traveler, the kids do not, but luckily we all received TSA pre-check. Our favorite airport restaurant was closed so we settled for some crappy bagel sandwiches but at lease we had this amazing view. The sunrise was incredible and I was very happy for clear skies. I am not a great flier and any type of weather while flying unnerves me:
Because there are 5 of us and we were on a tiny Delta plane that sat 2 and 2, DH sat alone. I think he was secretly happy as we were about to embark on 8 days of family fun time.
I sat next to my beautiful Chloe:
The flight was smooth. We landed, grabbed our luggage, and our rental car from Alamo. I chose Alamo as they have an office in DTD and thats where we'd be dropping the car off.
When we landed it was sunny and gorgeous. We knew a storm was coming in but were grateful for the blue sky and gorgeous palms trees.
Us:
First stop was to visit my father. I won't go into major detail but I will say he suffered a major and debilitating stoke 9 years ago and lives in a care facility in Anaheim. Needless to say, seeing him is both heartwarming and heartbreaking. He was a brilliant man; funny and kind. He also drank. A lot. Sorry if that's TMI.
He can handle about 45 minute visits before he becomes agitated. His inability to communicate is beyond painful so I can inly imagine how he feels. Happily though, his caregivers are wonderful and take really good care of him. He's got one gentleman in particular, Memo. That man is a saint, very patient and always smiling. Here is a photo midway through our visit. He is not bed bound but he is paralyzed and likes to be in bed. The kids are amazing with him.
After visiting with my dad, we headed to SuperMex as we were famished! Sadly I did not get pics of the tacos but believe me they, and beer, were as good as ever.
Then we hit a Von's Pavillion. Look kids, here's what separation of church and state looks like:
We checked into the hotel, The Hampton Inn in Seal Beach. I have access to a friends and family rate and for 5 of with free breakfast and parking, its a screaming good deal. Its right next to a Starbucks and just a few miles away from our favorite costal locations.
We were all pretty tired and it began to rain. The kids napped while DH and I enjoyed some coffee in the lobby; there is also a Starbucks next door. And a Del Taco.
I was texting with my friend who owns a cute little boutique in Seal Beach and she sent me this pic of So Cal snow. This is at the pier in Seal.
Our plans for the evening were to go to Seal Beach's annual tree lighting ceremony (pictured above) but note the daunting skies. Shortly after the skies had opened up. It rained off and on.
After the kids napped we loaded up in the rental car and headed to Seal to see about the rain and festivities. It was a downpour by this time. We stopped to say hi to my friend then drove down PCH. I forgot how Southern Californians lose their minds when driving in the rain.
We decide we were hungry after and went back to Seal Beach to one of our favorites; Walt's Wharf. We shared calamari, oak grilled artichokes, fish n chips, and crab legs. :cloud: DH and I also had a drink.
We also got this crazy chocolate ganache dessert. Sorry it's a little blurry.
After dinner we were all pretty tired so we headed back to the hotel. The beds were really comfortable and for once, I slept on vacation. Happily this would be a reoccurring nightly thing.
In a nut shell, Day one was a fabulous part sunny, lots of rainy, success.
TBC............
I will be posting an update tomorrow. Since we've been back, less than a week, everyone in my home has been sick, we have had a trip to the ER, we wrapped up our amazing Christmas gift drive for local children in the foster care system, and DH left for work out of town. I am home sick today with DS and have no voice. If I don't laugh, I'll cry. 
Hope you got this papers graded and wonderful to have you. How are you doing with your daughter away? 
The meds are already helping though. Thank goodness. 
