ROAD TRIP!!

Picked up our car (which we named Myrtle) and caused a bit of a fuss so got lots of money off the rental (standard). They had tried to give us this gigumbous BRAND NEW Crysler which we had to pump up the seat in to see over the dashboard - no thanks! Issues with the car when the engine and break lights both came on!! But we fixed it. magically. Then took to the streets to navigate our way to Jen's family's house in the OC. Arriver safely and had gorgeous dinner with the family then stayed the night at her cousin Brian's in Huntington Beach. The next day he took us to Newport, Laguna and South Coast Plaza Shopping mall before a gorgeous dinner at Bennihanas with his friend Kevin.

The next day I drove!!!! us to Disneyland (free tickets from Carol). New fave ride - Buzz Lightyear - awesome! On the Friday we drove (via ourlet mall) to San Diego where we stayed with Kevin. He took us for meal at the Gas lamp strip club where u cook ur own steaks. great fun! In the morning we ate Breakfast at Pacific Beach then headed south of the border to Mexico and the famous Tijuana. Bit of a dive and felt severly unsafe but a good experience. Then the long drive back up to Irvine for another dinner with the family at Carols.

Brian is a police officer in Irvine and used to work for the FBI and Secret service so on the Sunday we got to go on a ride along with him. Such a cool day out and got shown around the police station. Jen and I were instant messaging each other from our police cars. "unfortunately" there wasnt much crime that day but got to see our family's old house in Orange County which was cool.

Last day before the road trip up to San Francisco we chilled out, got pedicures, and made the most of life in a house. We had been so spoiled by Jen's family but it was now time to go back to hostel life.....

....Our 3 day road trip up the Pacific Coast Highway and the 101 was really good fun. Drove thru LA, Santa Monica, Malibu, Santa Barbra to San Luis Obispo where we spent a night in the cutest little family run hostel. Such a nice little college town and the houses were amazing. That night Jen and I hacked to death the biggest tub of cookie dough ice-cream u have ever seen. Tragic!

The next day we drove up the coast along Highway 1 up to Monterey. A very long and winding (yet beautiful) journey, We stopped at Morro Bay (big rock) then at Hearst Castle which was very impressive. Saw a bunch of elephant seals, then Big Sur and finally Monterey. Jen and I spent the evening in the restaurant drawing pictures with the kids crayons, we are running out of things to say to each other now!!!