The Allen's: And We're Off!

Summer is slowly leaving us!

And not a moment too soon! Summers in Arizona are epic! Each Arizonian needs a break every now and then. And that's just what we did! We took a much needed mini vacation back home to California! It’s been a VERY long 6 months since I’ve taken any time off. Coming back from maternity leave exhausted my vacation and I’ve had to wait to gain eligibility until the new fiscal year. So, when I finally regained vacation time, we hit the road!

Ahhh, California! Beaches, breezes, sand and surf we headed straight to PCH. The next few days were jammed with visiting family and friends and a place often referred to as the “Happiest Place on Earth”. Sofia kept asking the often dreaded question that every parent fears…”Are we there yet”? On a 6 hour road trip there really is no point in attempting to reason with a toddler. We just kept saying “yep, just about…it’s right past this desert and over the hill”.

Views from Huntington Beach pier!

Emilia's first time in the ocean. It was so nice taking Sofie and Emilia here to "mothers beach". It's a small inlet in Huntington Beach near where I grew up. I remember going there when I was a kid with my family and friends and having so much fun! Seeing my girls play and splash in the same water, was very special.

I love these girlies!!

After we hit the beaches, we headed to our hotel. Sofia was so excited to “live in” the hotel for the next few days. She appointed herself the official button pusher for each of our elevator rides and loved the break in our normal routine. Its funny how kids get so excited to be in a new environment and gets to inquisitive asks every question imaginable.

One of the things Nick was so excited to do was go to one of L.A’s beloved landmarks, Canter’s Deli. We enjoyed the authentic deli experience and savored every moment!

Whenever we visit L.A. it’s always hard to squeeze in seeing all our family and friends. This time however, I made it a top priority to visit with some of my cousins and get our kids together. This was the first time Sofie actually met some of her second cousins. Seeing these girls brought back tons of memories. Growing up we all played together and now, getting together with our our kids, it was really sweet! We all had some laughs, shared motherly advice and reminisced on the “good ol’ days” and shared all the memories we had with Mama Chana.

Angela with daughter Lillie and Ellie, Mallory with Alivia

Another must do for us when we go back home is to head into L.A. and visit Olvera Street. This place brings back so many memories for me growing up. Each time we introduce Sofia to something that we did as kids it’s such an amazing feeling.

And visiting Olvera Street would not be complete without a visit to my favorite taquito stand…Cielito Lindo. Their guacamole sauce is TO DIE FOR!!!

Here is the church were I was baptized- Our Lady Queen of Angels- La Placita

And then we finally arrived...dum da da dummmmm....DISNEYLAND!!!!

Sofia was so excited to finally see where all the Princesses slept!

She was still slightly standoffish about the characters.

Our first ride together- it turned out to be her favorite!

It turned out to be a full "Allen Family Disney Outing"...Sofia’s Uncle Keith and Auntie Gina joined us and totally helped out with the girls. Here is Keith watching Emilia while Nick and I went off to experience the new and improved Star Tours ride...it was AWESOME!

Sofie enjoying the "Storybook Adventure ride" cute!

Our next ride served two purposes...one, it's just one of those rides you can't leave Disneyland without riding one, two or even three times. Second, it allowed us to escape the wretched heat and suffocating humidity. Being acclimated to this Arizona “dry heat” the humidity was a bit foreign to us. Either way, we all floated down the river and sang along to the theme song- some of us out loud…LOL