California

So New Year's resolutions can start in March, can't they...?  I have one that I would like to implement that includes blogging more.  I miss it.  Mostly because I like having a place that I can look back on and see what we've done, but also because I like writing.  It's an easy journal and I like journaling.  So get ready for a bunch of back dated posts, starting with our trip to California.

We talked about going on one big trip and had a bunch of different places as the potential destination but we didn't want to spend a ton of money on just one place and then be done.  So we decided instead to go on a bunch of little trips to lots of different places.  We kept an eye out for good deals on flights and found some great places to go to!  We pretty much have a trip once a month until May.  We'll take it easy for the summer so we can buckle down and save some money for the future, but hopefully we can start traveling again in the fall.

Our first trip was to California.  We knew that Allegiant Airlines was adding more flights out of Provo so we checked out the new destinations, one of which was to L.A.  The Provo airport is super small (way smaller than Pasco, if you know what I'm talking about), but so very convenient.  It is approximately 12 minutes from our house.  SOO great!!

We booked a flight a couple weeks beforehand, which was also so great because then it wasn't like I had to wait for forever to go on a trip to a warm place in the middle of winter. So the day came quickly and we were off for a four day weekend adventure.

As always, pictures:

 Our first stop was to a donut shop that was really close to the rental car place.  I mean, come on, how can you say no to giant donuts (or Randy...?)?

 Our next stop was to Costco to purchase a case of water bottles (pictured above), and then to the beach!  Sitting by the ocean was pretty much the whole point of the entire trip.

 We found a huge clam on the beach and, not a joke, steamed it up later.  It was Dillon's first clam digging experience.  We didn't eat it because, yuck, but I think the dog who lives next door to Dillon's uncle may have consumed it after his cousin threw it over the fence...

One of the many shots from driving along the coast.

 We stayed with Dillon's aunt and uncle the first night.  They live about 10 mins from the Ronald Reagan Library, which is also a museum and also the resting place of Ronald Reagan himself.  We met a very nice couple from Nevada and spoke with them for a while.  It is nice to meet people and find out that there are still very good people in the world wherever you go.

 A piece of the Berlin wall.

 The view from just outside the Library.  It was so beautiful and peaceful.

 The fountain in the courtyard before going inside.

We headed back down south and hit up the beaches.  This is the Santa Monica Pier from our second day. 

 Newport Beach on our last day.

 We didn't go bike riding but doesn't riding a bike along the beach always sound so dreamy?

 Beautiful beach views

 My hunky man who dug a hole in the sand and then sat in it, ha. 

We are super excited about the plans we have for the rest of the year. Stay tuned for more!