Loving California

Vince, my mom, and I arrived at LAX on Tuesday from Boston, after what I can happily say was a fairly enjoyable flight on Virgin America. I was pretty nervous about flying with Vince and not having Mike around to help out, and when I bought my mom's and my ticket I strategically bought hers on the aisle and mine on the window.... hoping no one would take the middle seat, of which we could then use for Vince. (I was too cheap to buy another seat for him, we'll have to do that soon enough when he turns two!) As our departure day got closer, I would look up the seat assignments on my itinerary... and 3 days prior to leaving, to my horror I saw that the middle seat had been assigned. How was I possibly going to have Vince on my lap for 6hrs, I can barely fit him on my lap anymore because his little sister is getting so big!

After mildly panicking for a couple days, and then realizing we'll just have to do it, and it'll be fine..... our trip day came, and Virgin America pulled through like champs! They are without a doubt the nicest and most accommodating airline I've ever flown! At check in there were actual employees all over to greet us, help with luggage, help with Vince's stroller, and the attendant said the plane was almost full, but that he would block the middle seat for us so no one could sit there! It was awesome, and having that middle seat was a life saver!! Thanks Virgin America! You people rock. The portable DVD player and Thomas Train movies were another hit with Vince.... and that pretty much kept him happy about 4 out of the 6hr flight.

So now we're here, and I'm packing every minute of every day full of activities and visits.... and I'm thoroughly enjoying the sunny warm weather! I'll try and bring it back to Boston... God, please let me bring it back to Boston!! Oh yeah, and I forgot how nice everyone is around here... and people making left turns don't actually have the right of way here... they wait for you if you are going straight. Amazing concept.

Day 1: Descanso Gardens with Uncle Jimmy and Aunt Amy

In the Bird Observation Station, captured Vince digging for gold

Smelling some California Poppies

And some roses too....

Harassing the Ducks

Day 2: Off to the LA Zoo..... with Jimmy and Amy again! This zoo kicks butt, so many animals to see and their habitats aren't THAT bad, much less depressing than other zoos I've visited.... and with warm sun and a nice breeze, it was a perfect!

Vince got his own personal buddy to go down the slide with him

As well as his own personal front row seat at each animal exhibit! Best seat in the house for viewing!

Awesome Aunt Amy, Uncle Jimmy, and Vince!

Then later that evening it was time for a bbq at my Godparents house for some hotdogs.... (Jim, my mom, Bonnie, and Jimmy)