santa monica

On Friday after Thanksgiving we did something daring and drove out to the coast to hang out in Santa Monica. It's a great city because of the many things to do: shop Third Street Promenade, see the Pacific coast, walk down the pier, people watch, see famous people, eat good food, and people watch some more. (There are some really interesting people in Santa Monica!)

I was nervous that there would be gads of people that we'd have to mill through (being that it was Black Friday), but the Third Street Promenade was surprisingly well-tempered, though it looked like they were preparing a big to-do later in the evening with stages, giant Christmas trees, lots of sound equipment, etc. (We didn't stay long enough to find out what they were up to.)

After milling around Third Street, we headed down to the coast to chase sea gulls and enjoy the sun and the gorgeous (75-degree) weather and play in the sand for a bit before heading to the pier and spending a couple hours there.

Highlights:

The girls chasing seagulls and little waves and not caring about soaking their pant-legs.
Riding the Ferris Wheel and Dad holding on for his life.
Eva and Sofia absolutely loving the Ferris Wheel.
Eating churros and cotton candy.
Watching the many (some of them on the creepy side) entertainers.
Trying on random crazy hats at one particular vendor.
Strolling together, laughing together, enjoying a car-ride together.

We were thankful for sun (and sunglasses).

 waiting oh so patiently in line

 if only he knew what exactly he'd be feeling once he was out of line and in the bucket of that Ferris Wheel... you might not see such a smile :)

 oh joy!

 Sofia was always happy to be perched on someone's shoulders

It was just the start of a great time together (and unfortunately I didn't get any pictures of the rest of our time together). Thanks Mom and Dad, Evie and Drew, for making the trek out here.