Mini Break to Laguna Beach

Very last-minute we decided to join Ash on a work trip to California the week before Thanksgiving. Laguna Beach in November sounded stupendous...and it was. Even though Ash ended up having to work longer hours than he had anticipated we still made time for some family fun and seeing my long lost friend Tish!

Speaking of Tish, she's probably secretly mad at me that I haven't blogged about this yet...as she did herself so eloquently right after we were there. Tish & I worked at KU Endowment together for a few years when we were in college and then she moved out to California to pursue THE DREAM -- acting. We've kept in touch via blogging, e-mails and the occasional text and phone call but I haven't seen her for probably about 4 years. That's way too long! It's so nice to have those friends in your life that you can just pick right back up with no matter how long it's been and how many little life details you've missed in each other's lives due to long distance. I got the skinny on everything she doesn't write about on her blog and she laughed at me when I showed up towing a stroller. Helena loved her and told me later that she was 'nice and pretty'. I wish we would have had more time to hang out...but it was really so great to see her.

In Laguna Beach we stayed at a little bed and breakfast two blocks from the beach. Helena liked the beach, her first visit to one, but was a little scared of the crashing waves at first. Eventually she warmed up and was putting her feet in the waves and digging in the sand. It was a little too chilly to actually swim, but a couple of times we got in a little bit too deep, fell down, and got our clothes wet. It was good times.


I also took Helena to the Long Beach Aquarium-- such a neat place. We had a blast. Helena petted sting rays, watched sea lions play fetch and, her favorite part, got the play on this boat. Don't ask me why she thought this was SO FUN but I don't think I've seen her freak out this much ever. She was running back and forth and screaming and having a good old time.

Sheer delight on her face. So hilarious.

Anyway, Laguna Beach in November = awesome. Great mini break. Big thanks to Ash for stubbornly convincing me that it was OK to go.

-Emily :)