Random California Chillin': Part Dos

Hello, small yet faithful audience of blog followers!

We're back from a memorable trip to California and New York. Hence, the lag time on the blog updates. Man, do we have lots of upcoming posts! I know they'll be somewhat outdated, but I think I'll still put them up anyway. That's how memorable it was!

Right now, Paloma is experience baaad jetlag. I'm talking about being up three hours in the middle of the night and dragging her parents down with her (Ahhhh!!). Hopefully I'll be able to deprive her of some nap time today and tomorrow and set her schedule straight again. We're also getting to unpacking with my mantra being "a place for everything and everything in its place". I HATE unpacking!

I, particularly, am experiencing some post-vacation depression. Finding Barcelona less populated in the neighborhood because of summer vacation and also having had such a special trip to the US, it's hard for me cope with daily life as wonderful as it already is. But I can't complain. Not when I have my sweet family around me. Life is good again!

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School reunion #1! These are the girls from my master's program. We're all grown up and married now!
Introducing...Baby River, or as I like to sing, "Her name is Rio...". This 6-week-old is the precious thing of my friend Faye, who sang so beautifully at our wedding.
Why deny ourselves the pleasure of economic warehouse shopping? Bulk is better in America! In this rough economy, I realized that almost everyone I know shops here. P loved sitting in the cart too.

Another baby alert! Another special friend, Cathleen, is due in March. The blessings!

I had another reunion among awesome friends of the Catholic sort. Taking advantage of the margaritas at El Torito. These are smart people!

The mariachi band played "It's a Small World" for Paloma.

If you sing, she will dance. Frances sang Abba's "Fernando" while Paloma felt the beat. Don't let the serious face fool you. Girl's got rhythm!

One of my best friends, Linda, took us to downtown Huntington Beach to eat at Zimzala, which is located at the upscale surf-themed Shorebreak Hotel.I got a special and yummy birthday surprise - a German chocolate cake with the perfectly crisp crust. (Thanks, Cook Brian!)

A view of downtown HB.

The pier was full because it was the US Open of Surfing.

Apparently, Shorebreak Hotel is pet-friendly, so guests can bring their doggies to this second-floor potty area. Interestingly enough, I found out that it has its own drainage system!

A place to park your surfboards downstairs.

Look at the elevator to the left. Guests can walk around in their bikinis and surf shorts like it's nobody's business.

Downstairs has a cool surf art museum.
Chrissie fawns over the acrylic plexiglass mounting, which is actually very cool.
Surf-related footage rolls in the lobby.

Much cooler posts to follow!