The California Trip...(2nd Part)

So here's the second part...

After SFO, my lola picked us up in the evening of August 13, Sunday to stay in their place this time in Salinas, California. It was like 2 hours drive from Marriott San Francisco.

We were very tired already that day so our family slept during the trip. We arrived in Lola Lilia's house around 8pm. We had to unpack some of our stuff and then got ready for a late dinner. It was worth the wait...Lola Lilia served us Tenderloin Steak! Super Yummie! Dicky got excited with it. It was the real American Big Tenderloin Steak. We just can't get enough...hahaha. That's why we ended up sleeping late that night.

The following day, Margaux enjoyed playing in Lola Lilia's garden.



We headed out to check Monterey Bay as well as the 17-mile drive. We also went to Monterey Bay Aquarimum. Margaux enjoyed checking out the fishes...Here are some pictures from the places we've been to...





within 17-mile drive









this area is famously called "Ghost Tree"






Margaux was amazed when she saw the school of Fish!








With the penguins...






We just had to stay with Lola Lilia's place for 2 days. We headed back on Tuesday afternoon in SFO airport for our trip back to Ontario, California. Ate Lyn fetched us in the airport, this time with my mother-in-law. Mommy flew in to LA last minute. She can't miss the reunion that will happen the following weekend with Kuya Erick's family.

We just had to rest the following day and went shopping in Costco and Wal-Mart. Since it's going to be a big Thursday! Disneyland!

Thursday, August 17 when we went to Disneyland. We were suprised to see a lot of people on a weekday. It was summer break actually so then we realized. Margaux had a blast in Disneyland. Can't believe we were actually there. My mother-in-law joined us there.

My favorites...the Winnie-the-Pooh ride and the shops! So many items to buy...toys and collectibles. Too bad, weren't allowed to ride Indiana Jones so it was just Mommy and Dicky who rode that while Margaux and I enjoyed strolling around.

We waited for the parade as well as the fireworks. I got carried away during the fireworks as i kissed Dicky thanking him for bringing us there! He whispered to me "I promise you, we will go back here again!" He kissed me and Margaux while watching the fireworks on the ground. I shed some tears! Grabe sa drama! But there was something there talaga that made me emotional, esp for the first-timers! Siguro it was the music..."Disneyland, the happiest place on earth...dreams do come true!"






The Parade...






Margaux enjoyed her carousel ride...









This is what you will see in the colorful world of Winnie the Pooh!







In front of the Castle...












Of course...with Mickey Mouse!





It was already almost 11pm when we got home from Disneyland. We were so tired but it's all worth it. The following day, we woke up early for another trip...San Diego, California. Ate Lyn and Mommy picked up in the airport Kuya Erick and his family in San Diego airport. We met them after for lunch in Seaport Restaurant. San Diego is around an hour from Temecula.

We saw a fighter ship docked in San Diego Port and we took advantage of it for some photos...




The Boys... Julian (Kuya Erick's son, Dennis, Dicky and Kuya Erick)








The Girls...(Mommy, Ate Ellen-Kuya Erick's wife, Ate Lyn, me and Margaux)





Late that afternoon, we went to Pechanga Casino which was just near Ate Lyn's place. Played again the slot machine. Too bad, luck wasn't really on our side.




In front of Pechanga Casino





We had to rest early that evening cause the following day was Universal Studios Day. The whole family went. It was truly fun and we all enjoyed the fact that the whole family of Dicky was complete. We arrived in Universal Studios before lunch. We had our quick lunch at Jody Marconi...yummie sausages.




We enjoyed the rides/attractions of Van Helsing, Waterworld, Shrek, Backdraft and the Studio Tour. Though there were lots of people so had to wait for almost 45 minutes for each ride. Too bad, wasn't able to ride Jurassic Park and Mummy Returns already as pregnant women and kids age like Margaux were not allowed. We are hoping for a "next time" anyway.

Some of our pictures in the Universal Studios...





Taken infront of the bookstore in the movie "Notting Hill"








Waiting for our turn for the Universal Tour.








Margaux met Dora, the Explorer.







Getting ready to go home.









We had a great time here.





We ate dinner at Bucca de Beppo again inside the Universal Park. It was a long cue before we were given a table but worth the wait cause of the super yummie food. Di ata ako natunawan ng gabing yun. After which, we checked in Marriot Hotel Courtyard in Old Pasadena. We just had to sleep after checking in because we were so tired from Universal Studios. The following day, Sunday, Dicky together with Margaux, Julian and Kuya Peter went swimming in the pool. Look, how Margaux enjoyed her time!



Dicky and I walked through the Old Pasadena and enjoyed our lunch in one Mexican Restaurant. Old Pasadena is very nice. It was popular for the Rose Parade. We saw Colorado Street where the good restaurants are located. We checked out late that afternoon then we proceeded to Hollywood park and went to hear mass in the church where Ate Lyn and Kuya Peter got married. After the mass, we went to Rodeo Drive/Beverly Hills where the famous expensive shops are situated. We end the day by eating in Max's Restaurant in Glendale as per request of Kuya Erick's family. Hay, bundat na naman kami sa kabusugan!



We went home in Temecula late again that evening. Kuya Erick and his family went back to Alabama already the following day. We just rested that Monday. Tuesday-Friday (August 22-25) were just spent as Shopping Days! We went out everyday after Ate Lyn's off from work to go to the dollar store, Costco, Wal-Mart and last outlet stop in Cabazon. This was the best part! Shopping Galore!

It was friday when we packed and Dicky can't seem to figure out how to fit all the stuff we got in our luggages. We ended up bringing home 3 Balikbayan Boxes, 2 Luggages and we even used up some of my mother-in-law's space in her luggage to fit everything. That's a whole lot of shopping!

We had some last pictorial in the house of Ate Lyn and Kuya Peter before we left for the airport on a saturday afternoon (Aug26). Huhuhu, it was our last day na and we were very very sad :-( Time flew so fast...How we wished we just landed on the airport!





In their kitchen...








In their backyard...









A proof that we had brought along our 2nd baby...






Getting ready to hit the airport...





In the airport, we were saddened for the fact that we are going back home to Manila already. That means going back to real life! Our flight was delayed again for another an hour and a half but that was fine cause we didn't have to make a stopover in Hawaii. We arrived an hour and half early also in NAIA International Airport from the expected 530am to as early as 4am.





Margaux with her mini "baggage"








Do we look sad?










The Jetsetter...






Well, that concludes a blow by blow account of our trip. For more pictures, you can check it at
http://community.webshots.com/user/dickyjody3