Palm Desert

Our first family trip as a family of four - we figured it would be easier to stay relatively close to home in case things got too crazy.  We drove to Palm Desert and stayed at the Westin Mission Hills Villas (in Rancho Mirage).  Brady slept the entire way there (and home)!  He doesn't do very well with naps at home - he's much better when we're "on the go."

We had a  lot of fun - I think the most memorable thing for Garrett was the tram that drove visitors from the villas to the main hotel - we ate lunch, brunch, and dinner there so we had plenty of tram rides.

We went to the Air Museum where Garrett got to pretend to be a pilot.  Mommy was the co-pilot and he said we were flying to South America.  We also went to the Living Desert (zoo) and the Children's Museum.

The Living Desert had an interesting very complex train set-up and also a really great Discovery Center with a 2,000 member ant colony.  And yes - that is a statue - Garrett is not riding a real warthog.

The Children's Museum rocked - very unique installations.  I especially liked the VW the kids could paint and the dress up area with old school typewriters and other funky stuff for them to explore and play with.  Garrett seemed to like the police motorcycle.  I LOVE the pix of him in the dress and construction hat - with the fireman boots hidden under the dress.  Classic.

All in all a fun family adventure.

The only snag was the sleeping - the boys were actually great.  Garrett was just so excited to be in a new place that he ran loops through the condo - bedroom to the living room through the bathroom and back to the living room - for about 2 hours from 8-10 PM slamming all the doors and turning on and off all of the lights and ceiling fans.  Whoever put the switches that low obviously does not have a 2 year old . . . .

Also - Brady rolled over for the first time on the trip.  GO BRADY!

We will have to get better at taking pix w all of us in them - here is mommy and her boys.

I WANT TO ROLL OVER AND SIT UP SO BADLY I CAN'T STAND IT!

I hate when people "shout" in emails and texts, but it is so appropriate here.  Poor Brady wants to roll over, sit up, stand up, and run after his brother so badly he can't stand it.  You can see it in his eyes.

You'll get there Brady, you'll get there.  Pls. take your time. 

My littlest man is growing up way too fast as it is . . . .

It's Snowing (Not Really)

WHPS had "Snow Day" last week where the kids got to play and sled on 17 tons of snow dropped on two hay bale mountains.  Garrett got the opportunity to touch (and taste as you'll see below) snow for the first time!  It was so fun to watch.  Fun to be had by all - and no injuries - at least in G's class!

Garrett went sledding three times - two captured above.  I asked him if he wanted to go again and he responded - "No - I good."

Bob's Birthday - Happy Birthday!!!!

Granted you can't have a wild and crazy birthday when there's a four month old in your life - so we did the best we could and spent most of the day at the beach.  We hit the Santa Monica beach "boardwalk." We walked in the sand, played in the sand, walked around and took in the sights (nature and the various characters playing music, etc.), played on the playground on the beach - swings, balance beams, monkey bars, etc., and met Stephanie and Scott for brunch at Coast at Shutters Hotel (chicken, french toast, omelets, peach/banana smoothie, etc. - yum!).  We promised G the next time we'll see if he is tall enough to ride the ferris wheel on the Santa Monica Pier.

By the way - I love the family photos - especially the one where it is just mom, dad, and Brady and you can barely see Garrett running in the distance - he has no time for photos!

New Year's Eve

OK - we decided to be brave and see what was in store for us.  We took Garrett and Brady with us to a "big boy restaurant" for New Year's Eve dinner.  We all went to a Los Angeles Magazine Top 10 new restaurants in LA pick - Son of a Gun - in West LA.  Here's what the Los Angeles Magazine Insider's Guide to the best new restaurants says on its web version:

The Vibe: Packed, happening, noisy as hell.
The Crowd: Fans of the chefs, other L.A. chefs, in-the-know gourmands.
The Must-Have Dishes: Shrimp toast, spot prawns, the chicken sandwich.
The Drinks: The mixologists know what they’re doing—let them make you something new. A reasonable wine list heavy on whites changes often.
Worthwhile Splurge: Santa Barbara spot prawns when they’re in season, market price.
Getting a Table: There are only a few tables available for reservations, and those book three weeks out. The walk-in-only communal table is long, if cramped, and your best bet for getting in on short notice.
Insider Tip: Focus on the seafood.

We had yummy food like shrimp toast, lobster roll, and fried chicken sandwich.  Garrett was so good - OK - we were only there for an hour and that did include a trip to pee (which he does EVERYWHERE we go), but nonetheless he had fun and didn't freak out.  Brady was calm and looked at everything and everyone until the end - he had had it after an hour and started to wail.  Time to go.  Dessert to go from Crumbs and call it a night.  Happy New Year!