Dizzyland

Months and months before we even knew we'd be moving south, we bought a discounted package deal for the Big D-land. Months and months later, and exactly 10 days after becoming LA residents, we drove the 20 minutes to the park and had an epic 3 days of fun.



But, backing up a bit, the first night was LJK's birthday, so we took him to the adorable Momma Cozza's in Anaheim and let him get whatever he wanted. He chose fried calamari, spaghetti with spicy sausage and clams, and homemade chocolate cannoli for desert. He made his Genoan ancestors proud.







They still have the same signed pictures. Hi Meredith Baxter Birney and Miss America 1980(my style icon for many years).





Let's go already!






First ride of the day, Pirates of the Caribbean, wasn't a hit with the Alice impersonator.








Look at her face!!! Contrary to what the picture shows, she loved Space Mountain so much she begged to go on it three times.












The littles were obsessed with this. They made up a story about how he was the baby of the big monsters on the Matterhorn ride and how someday he'll "graduate" to working on the roller coaster.







The critters were so good all weekend - no tantrums whatsoever and they must've walked about 20 miles with almost no complaints - so we rewarded them with cotton candies the size of their torsos.





It really was a pretty magical kingdom for us.

Fourth of July

We've gone to Davis to see the fireworks nearly every year since 1996, I think. This year, after a lot of talking, we decided to do what half of the greater LA area does for the holiday - go to the Rose Bowl. The dance troupes (nearly 100 of them) were the highlight. As you can see below, they were bringin' it. Flags? Rainbow outfits? GIANT MIRRORS? God Bless America.




Awesome spread of cheeses, meats and wines.... which we were not allowed to bring into the Rose Bowl (they want you to buy the $12 turkey legs and $9 Dixie cups of Bud Light), so we ate these in the parking lot. Whatever, right?





Every 30 seconds they would see some neon, swirly toy and make these faces at me. We refused to buy them anything. We're mean like that.








This guy was the happiest person on the planet during his performance. His dedication to his craft was almost too extreme.

Going Big

Earlier this month, we got to have the most wonderful and surprising day - it made us all so excited to live in this big, beautiful city. We started by going for some early dim sum in Chinatown with my hilarious friend Jenny and her adorable brood.






SAK will only eat the bao, but LJK was stoked to have his favorite - chicken feet!





How ridiculously cute are Jenny's kids? And, how ridiculous is giant, super happy LJK on that baby ride? He insisted on riding it twice.







After walking around Chinatown for awhile, Jenny & Martin took us to Scoops - amazing ice creams like vegan Black Sesame Seed and Coconut, Brown Bread (seriously, so good), and Salty Chocolate. We then rolled ourselves back into the car and drove over to Griffith Park, where we found a meadow filled with monarch butterflies, shady trees to snooze under, and beautiful trails leading up into the hills. So, so awesome!












Then, who should we get a call from? Our old pals the Mates of State. They were playing a show, so we joined them for some running around, more awesome food, and some rocking out.











Yay for LA!