some highlights of the family's visit - los angeles

The Trolley at The Americana

Sunday through Tuesday before Keith, Jason and Wendy left were spent in Los Angeles, and they were full days.  After attending the first service at Faith Bible Church, we came home and changed, picked up our bags and headed to LA - a two-hour drive.  Our first stop was the Glendale Galleria for some lunch.  Then we walked across the street to The Americana at Brand.  Then we browsed the mall for a couple of hours.  I treated myself to a 10-minute shoulder and neck massage, which was great after the drive, and then for all the driving that was still to come.

Then we headed up to the Griffith Observatory - to get a view of the city, and to catch the sunset.

Keith and I, with downtown Los Angeles in the background . . . oh, and the smog :)

We got a nice view of the Hollywood sign too.

The sun is setting on Los Angeles.
On Monday Keith, Jason and Wendy spent the day at Universal Studios.  I took the opportunity of being in LA to go see my hairdresser for a cut and color, have lunch with Karen Long, and later, have coffee with Verity Pickering.

We introduced Jason to Starbucks' Frappuccino ice blended drink.  He was keen to try as many flavors as he could.  Oh, and I think the barista had trouble understanding his accent!  LOL :)

Tuesday we drove out to Simi Valley to visit the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library and Museum.  This is what the oval office looked like when Reagan was president.

This was my first time seeing Air Force One and Marine One - they were amazing to see!

Keith and I giving our best presidential wave  :)

Jason and Wendy entering Marine One.

Keith even got to go horse riding with Ronald Reagan!

Then we came back to Universal City and caught the subway to "Hollywood & Highland", and visited Grauman's Chinese Theatre where the movie stars' handprints are, and the stars' names on the sidewalk of Hollywood Blvd . . .

and saw the Hollywood sign again.

While Jason, Wendy and I grabbed an ice cream at Cold Stone Creamery, Keith was able to get a cup of tea at Johnny Rockets Restaurant next door.

L-R: Todd, Keith, Karen, Paul, Sereena, Katherine, Wendy, Jason

Last, but not least, is a picture of our most gracious hosts in Sun Valley - the Long family.  Paul, Karen and Katherine hosted Nigel and I for three months in 2012 when Nige took a writing sabbatical to work on his dissertation, and so it was lovely to be able to introduce them to Nige's family.