SoCal Adventures with the Durangotans

After our exciting morning at the Tar Pits we continued down the road to explore LACMA's sculpture gardens and get some grub in our bellies from the Farmer's Market at the Grove.

Erin and Dan had the privilege of visiting Rodin's home in Paris while on their honeymoon last autumn and they enjoyed touring the Rodin Sculpture garden in LA.

Rodin sculptural interpretation

Durangatangs in Action

Perhaps they were most impressed by the streetlights placed meticulously artistically along the main entrance of the museum. Below they can be seen blending in as streetlights.

"Urban Light" in broad daylight

We had a lovely stoll to the Grove where there was something to please everyone's palate: gluten free pizza for Erin (a favorite of hers), a veggie burger for Ethan, cheese pizza for Elliot, Creole food for Dan (this becomes a trend), and an empanada for me. After walking back the Durango McGs showed their impressive strength by warding off this giant rock that was heading our way!

"Oh no - a giant boulder is coming for us!" aka "Levitated Mass"

After fueling up at the Market and getting back to our chariot we headed off to . . . the beach! The last time they were visiting Dan and I took them whale watching at Newport Beach and afterwards Erin and Dan ran into KEVIN COSTNER!!! But, alas, there were no celebrity sightings in Santa Monica. 

Elliot used the last of his vacation funds to treat himself to a roller coaster ride (a bit too scary for him: he and his Dad got off after the first go around while I stayed on for a second spin around the pier).

Santa Monica Pier

On Sunday Dan and Erin were celebrating their first wedding anniversary so to mark the occasion we walked to the Farmer's Market where I introduced Erin to my honey man. They discussed, in depth, their respective bee keeping geographic tactics and challenges and she went home with some excellent orange blossom honey (which we later sampled on brie as a snack - yum)! 

Back at the house we played Settlers of Catan then I took the boys out to see the new Aladdin (which was fantastic, and as Elliot told me; a movie about friendship not a love story). Dan took Erin on a surprise anniversary date to a fancy new New Orlean restaurant and then to the Dividing the Light art exhibit at Pomona College.

The Lovebirds on their way to celebrate their first Anniversary

Annie had such a lovely time with everyone, especially Elliot who read Diary of a Wimpy Kid to her on the car on the ride to the best ice cream store in California! Here she is having a close encounter of the snail kind:

"What's this I smell?"

They were such fun guests bringing homemade honey with brie and flowers! Ethan is an upstanding rising 8th grader always holding doors and helping around the kitchen and Mr. Elliot and Annie were best of pals. They are all welcome back anytime! :)