So...... we're in Los Angeles!!!!

It was a fairly lengthy flight, about 14-15 hours all up with not a lot of sleep to be had between us.
We went and checked in before heading off in search of some food then a little walk along Rodeo Drive. We actually decided that a small nanna nap was in order, then it was straight to the beach at Santa Monica Pier and a walk down to Venice Beach.
The weather was very hot and a bit too humid for my liking, turns out it was the hottest Sept day since 1894! Oh Yay!

I think Callie was happy to be here!

Saturday we caught up with my nephew Stephen, who has been travelling the world pretty much for the last year. He came in from Arizona to meet us and has spent the last three days doing stuff with us.  We went back to the beaches and hired bikes to ride between Santa Monica and Venice Beach, lots of fun and so much quicker than walking. There were however plenty of distractions of the bikini-clad kind! After a long day in the sun, we ended up going up-market for tea to a steak house within walking distance.  We had a great night with lots of laughs and celebrated our anniversary too.

Sunday we were feeling a little slow and decided a quieter day was a good idea. We went on a 2 hour driving tour to see the Hollywood sign, where the movie stars live, etc.  Then it was back to the hotel to see Stephen again and we chilled at the spa/pool before heading out for pizza. On the driving tour we went along Sunset Blvd where the Hollywood stars are and saw the theatre where they hold the Oscars too.

Today we hired a Lexus and Stephen drove us around, we went out along the coast to Malibu Beach and while we sat at the Malibu Inn for lunch, we saw Adam Sandler!!! Very impressed but we played it cool and didn't ask for photos or anything :)
This was taken on the pier later.

We've been having a great time and we've only been here for 4 days so far hahaha. Going to shut down now as we have to be up and ready in the morning for a full day at Universal Studios woohoo!

It happens next week!!

Finally we can say that we're going overseas next week! Starting to get excited and just a little nervous, hoping that everything goes according to plan.  People who have visited Vegas are saying how amazing it is but I'm also really looking forward to Disneyland :)

I made a quilt for Ben's friend, Meaghan, who is currently on HMAS Anzac in the Middle East. I sent this along with a laundry bag and some lollies to her.

 

Typical Stevie poses!

 

 

Josh sent Stevie home for a week or so to visit, apparently he was getting a bit annoyed with her but has realised since she was away that he really missed her, awwww!

 

I did some packing the other week (while procrastinating about doing housework) and worked out that I could flatten the carry-on bag and pack it into the suitcase for going over and that would give me more room for 'stuff' when I'm coming home. Winner!

I received an early birthday present last Friday when we purchased a new DSLR camera for me, Bun says it's to keep me busy while he's working hahaha.  He said that I would get bored and this way I can go for walks and take photos, I actually think he's more concerned that my butt will get big if I sit and sew while he's working!

I've also been busy in the sewing room, getting quilts out of the way and making some pyjama pants for me (3) from fabric that Ben brought back from Indonesia for me.  I've also managed to make a couple of tops for me plus there's another on the table to be cut out.  I wanted to make full use of the overlocker before we leave because that's definitely staying home.

There's still a few things to organise but unfortunately now we have to deal with police reports and insurance companies because early on Saturday morning, 2 motorbikes and 3 chainsaws were stolen from our shed!  Bun's pretty pissed off because they took the 2-wheeler that was going to be going on the back of the truck when we leave!  Still it's all only 'stuff' and can be replaced or gone without.

Next post may just be from America!!!  Whoo hoooo!