I Wanna Go Back!

We are back from California after almost a week of vacation (for me) and sun and relaxing. We went to my friend, Lauren's, birthday dinner at the Gaylord National Hotel just across the bridge in Maryland on Friday night and left early so we didn't miss our flight. So, we left EARLY Saturday morning and jetted off to Long Beach Airport which is probably the tiniest airport I've ever seen. We met up with my old roomie, Megan, who drove up from San Diego. We went to the bar waiting for the hotel to let us check in to our ENORMOUS Conference King Suite and then went to the pool and then back to the hotel bar where we waited to have our other friend, Ryan, pick us up and drive us to downtown Fullerton area. We ended up staying there for about 2 hours until the jet lag hit us and went back to the hotel and passed out.

Sunday, I slept in and we met up with Steve's boss, Mike and his wife for drinks at the hotel bar since they arrived that day. They had a welcome reception that evening from 5:30-8:30 where people got rowdy. They had an open bar and DJ so I had to show everyone my dance skills when "I Like Big Butts" came on. After that, we headed to the inside bar and I quickly made my exit to bed.

Monday, I woke up feeling less than 100% and since Steve had to work, I slept in and then went to the pool. It was hot! The restaurant inside didn't open until 2pm so I waited until then and grabbed food there later. At night, we went to Outback with Mike and his wife, Karen, and Steve's other co-worker, Andy. We were all tired after dinner so I think we all went right to bed after dinner.

Tuesday, I felt better than ever so Karen and I went to the outdoor shopping mall called The Block and they had prety much just teeny bopper stores and we quickly made a trip around, bought a couple things and then ate lunch at a restaurant there. We got back and we had a group function that night and went to Knott's Berry Farm on charter buses where they closed the park down for us and kept a few rides open. Steve and I went on a couple rides and then found his co-workers and went to the make-shift casino where we played with fake money.

Wednesday, I went to the pool again for a few hours and then ate at the restaurant and took a long, much need nap until Steve got off of work. We went down to the downstairs bar and ate and then went back to bed so we could make our early flight home.

We ended up getting home at about 9:30pm last night and I could not fall asleep because I was still on California time and I think had gotten too much sleep. So, I'm back to work today and back to wedding planning again. That break was definitely needed though.

We're going to the lake tomorrow overnight and then football on Sunday! I'm still first place in Steve's boy league for fantasy football but I haven't won a game yet for my work pool.

Below, are some pictures from California from the first night. Unfortunately, I didn't get around to taking any other pictures from any other night. I'm getting really bad a remembering to take pictures!

Steve after spending the day at the pool with Megan and I catching up and talking about celebrity gossip. I kind of don't blame him.

Me deciding that I wasn't going to get ready until after we ate at the hotel restaurant but we ended up not ever getting ready before going out!

A weird picture of me and a decent one of Steve before going to downtown Fullerton.

Me, Ryan, Megan and Steve at a bar in dowtown Fullerton. Fun night and good seeing them again!