The Allen's: Holiday Weekend Getaway!

In the blink of an eye we noticed that it was almost a year since we had gone to California for a visit. Nick and I both miss the familar places of our hometowns but feel that we've made the right move to explore different cities and experience life in different places. Whenever we go back to L.A. we love to visit all the places that are special to us. This time Nick and I were able to share those places with Sofie.

During this trip we stayed with our good friends Eddie and Bianca. We loved spending time with them and just enjoying our mini vacation. Sofie really enjoyed spending time with them as well. It's amazing that she is getting to the point where so recognizes faces now. Eddie and Bianca stayed with us a while back and Sofie made friends again real quick!

On our first day in we headed straight to Philippe's for a California classic French Dip sandwich. These guys not only know how to produce top quality sandwiches but know to please a customer too!

Here is Nick enjoying the fruits of Philippe's labor!

After we were satisfied with eating sandwiches, we headed over to Hollywood to show Sofie where the stars are. On our way we drove past one of my favorite buildings...The Disney Music Hall

We thought this was just sort of funny...driving down Cesar Chavez street in the heart of Chinatown...

Just another thing we thought was hilarious...I think at this point we were getting deliours! After driving all day with a toddler, then filling up on yummy french dips...we were all in an altered state!

And then we hit Hollywood! Hollywood is one of those cities that is different each and every time. This is one of my favorite and unique cities.

Here is Nick and Sofie on Sunset standing right outside the Chinese Theater. She loved people watching and seeing all the different characters!

Seeing all the slabs of concrete in front of the theater is really special...Bianca and I were reminded of the famous episode of the I Love Lucy show...good times.

Here is Sofie and "Uncle Bert" on their way to Frank & Sons- A place Nick had to visit while in town to find some of his back issues of his favorite comic book collection, Aquaman.

While in town we were able to meet up with some friends for a nice dinner in San Pedro. The entire time while we were driving out there Nick had a craving for scallops...he has this weird thing about not really eating seafood unless we're by an ocean??? I know, I know...weird huh! So we hit up a well know place to endulge his craving!

and here are his scallops!

After dinner we were invited to a friends house and the first thing to come out...light sabers!

We also had a chance to spend some time with my sister, brother-in-law and my two beautiful nieces! The weather was beautiful and the day just kept getting better and better!

Standing at the top of the hill at the Korean Bell is one of my favorite places in San Pedro!

Standing there with my family made it even better!

This is a picture of my niece Arianna.

Here is my sister and her family! I love you guys!

Here is one of Nick's favorite things in San Pedro...the three eyed fish!

and here one of my favorite sights...

Sofie loved seeing the water and looking at the waves.

We took Sofie to the Redondo Beach Pier. As a kid my parents would take us there every weekend. One of my favorite things to do was get corn on the cobb.

It was so special to see my daughter enjoy the same thing.