It was a birthday to remember that's for sure...probably one of the best yet! I had my family...who are my friends, and I feel like I got to do and see some of LA's best all in one day. It was a full day and somehow we didn't feel the least bit tired or worn out by midnight. We spent the weekend in LA, staying with Nate and Kim- Saturday was the Big Day...here's what we did...
Started out walking to the La Brea Bakery which is a famous and popular bakery right in the middle of West Hollywood. I had a blueberry scone and Jared had a delicous Cherry brioche mini loaf. The pastries here are out of this world and the bread is even better. Costco actually sells La Brea Bakery, so if you want a little taste of what their bread is all about- head down to Costco.
After breakfast we went to Griffith Park, which is a huge urban park in the Hollywood hills. It includes the LA Zoo and this place...The Griffith Observatory. It is a fascinating place- musuem, planitarium and it has an IMAX theatre that is state of the art. The big black dome in the middle is the IMAX theatre. Our favorite thing here was just the view of the city from up here...you can see all LA and understand why it's the largest city in the USA.
Here's a view from the backside of the Observatory...you can see downtown LA in the back.
We all met up for dinner in Santa Monica at this cool burger joint called The Counter. It's a huge hit down here...a build-your-own burger place with sweet potato fries that are sooooo yummo! It was so fun to be us siblings together. (Alla and Ryan were a 2 1/2 hour drive each way away...they are going to celebrate with us next weekend) Jared, sweet as ever, arranged for a huge chocolate chip cookie with ice cream and a candle on top to be served and even the waitress joined in to sing the birthday song. :)
Here's looking the opposite direction from up at the Griffith Observatory. Right by the infamous sign...
Later in the afternoon, we headed out to Santa Monica...walked around with Nate...grabbed a Starbucks...and caught this view of the beach. It's beautiful in Santa Monica and seeing the ocean for the first time in a long time just made me smile. 
Stopped for lunch at Noah's Bagels- another popular stop down in LA. I guess Noah's Bagels are a huge deal on the East Coast and this is one of the few out here on the west coast. 
Ended the night back out at the Santa Monica Pier. Nate for my birthday wanted to buy me a ride on the ferris wheel, (which by the way is the biggest ferris wheel my eyes have ever seen) and even though I was a scared at first (you all know me and rides right!?!), I did it and had a great time. We all got to ride in one "gondola" together, so while Nate and Jared soaked up the thrill of it, Kim and I sat squeezing hands together until we finally felt like we were going to survive the ride. It was an incredible experience and you feel like you're going to fall into the ocean when you come around...but the view up top was amazing!!!
Had to get a shot of all four of us out at the Pier.
Me and my babe getting ready to ride the ferris wheel. Can you see the nervousness in my face???
The boys...they thought it was so cool that although Kim and I had to pay for parking that night in her car, Jared and Nate found free parking at the Hotel California. Are you singing the song yet? :)
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