Thursday, April 24, 2008

Shel, Lisa, Liele in Southern California

After five straight days at the Disneyland Resort, my cousin Michele, her partner Lisa and their daughter Liele escaped Disneydom and joined us at out house for two nights. Tim and I each took Thursday off work to spend the day with everyone before they head back home to the Bay Area Friday.

We started the day at Disney's Character Outlet Store for more shopping. (04/24/2008)
We started the day at Disney's Character Outlet Store for more shopping. (04/24/2008)

Despite the five exhausting Disney days, Michele hadn't completely gotten her Disney-themed shopping fix out of her system. So after a great lunch at Ruby's diner in Fullerton, we took her to Disney's Character Outlet Store. Believe it or not, Shel and Lisa got out of there with spending less than $100, which is a historic event (especially for Michele).

Liele and Amy check out the sea lions. (04/24/2008)
Liele and Amy check out the sea lions. (04/24/2008)

Next, we headed to the Aquarium of the Pacific in Long Beach, CA where we met up with our gal pal Amy. Tim and I had been there once before for Jon's birthday (click here to read that blog entry), but it was a first for Michele, Lisa and Liele. It was fun being there with Liele, since it makes you see things from a slightly different perspective.

Liele feeds the lorikeets. (04/24/2008)
Liele feeds the lorikeets. (04/24/2008)

One of the highlights as always was feeding the lorikeets, brightly-colored arboreal parrots that can be found in Southeastern Asia, Polynesia, and Australia. You can buy these little cups of nectar that the lorikeets simply love. All you have to do is hold it up, and within seconds, you'll have a lorikeet on your arm drinking.

Michele watches Amy feed the lorikeets. (04/24/2008)
Michele watches Amy feed the lorikeets. (04/24/2008)

And I have to say, Tim once again did really well at the shark exhibit. He even once again actually touched a shark. Yeah, it was only for a second. And yeah, the shark may have only been two feet long. But heck, it's still technically a shark! :)

Tim touches a shark for the 2nd time in his life. (04/24/2008)
Tim touches a shark for the 2nd time in his life. (04/24/2008)

Afterward, we went to see a beachside apartment that Amy is considering renting. It belongs to the mother of a friend, and so we brought some wine and snacks to enjoy the sunset. It was beautiful. I have no idea why I didn't take any pictures.

Lisa's interpretation of heaven. (04/24/2008)
Lisa's interpretation of heaven. (04/24/2008)

Jon also joined us after work, since he knows Michele, Lisa and Liele from our camping trips, like the 2006 San Simeon camping trip. For dinner, the seven of us went to the Rock Bottom Brewery in the heart of downtown Long Beach. I think Lisa enjoyed it the most, since she got to sample a bunch of their microbrews.

Liele enjoys her ice cream. (04/24/2008)
Liele enjoys her ice cream. (04/24/2008)

It was a great final day to Michele, Lisa and Liele's Southern California vacation. We had fun and definitely look forward to their next visit when they can actually enjoy our pool and finished landscaping (instead of the landscaping in progress).

4 comments:

Anonymous said...

OMG, that flight of microbrews looks amazing! And though I'm sure my bird-fearing wife could never stomach the lorikeets, that does look like a lot of fun!

Love the look on Amy's face as she holds that thing too...hilarious!

Anonymous said...

Oh yeah, one more thing...I totally wanna visit that Disney Character Outlet Store. Is it outside the park??

James said...

It's WAY outside the park. It's still technically in Anaheim, but its off the 91 and Harbor (or is it Lemon?). Somewhere around there.

Sonic is across the street.

Anonymous said...

OK, you MUST take us there next time we come down!