Stacey's 30th Birthday Tour

To celebrate Stacey's 30th birthday she wanted to do an "all girls" road trip tour, but somehow it ended up me, dad, Stacey and Jake.  We would head out when Stacey got out of work on Thursday.  First stop was Zion's National Park.  I picked that because I knew how much dad loves it there. And it didn't disappoint.  Dad was up bright and early to see the red mountains and the bright blue skies.  It was even better than we remembered.  Dad's dream -- to hike through the canyons -- who wants to make this dad's dream come true next year for his 59th birthday??

After our day at Zion's we head towards Las Vegas, stopping in St. George's to see the temple, have a burger and a little shopping at Old Navy. We had great music to listen to on our trip, as well as lessons from Dave Ramsey and laughs from Jim Somethingorother.

We spent the night at the Stoker's in Vegas.  We really did nothing much on the Strip except walk a ton and people watch.  We spent a fortune on lunch at the buffet at Cesar's Palace, but overall I think we were underwhelmed by Vegas.  On to LA!!

LA didn't fall to disappoint.  On our first night there, we went to The Grove in Hollywood -- it's a planned shopping and dining area.  It has fancy stores, fantastic restaurants, outside dining, fountains, a big lawn and a singer and band playing smooth tunes.  It was a great evening and a great start to LA.

Sunday was a glorious day!  Up early, we did the Hollywood tourist thing and made our way over to the Hollywood Walk of Fame and got a tour going to homes of the stars and the Hollywood sign!  We drove in a open van that had the roof sawed opened!!  Stacey finally had her dream of a convertible in LA!

Afterwards, we spent the day at Redondo Beach, then got take out food and went back to the hotel room to watch TV and Stacey and Jake worked on the  shirts for The Price is Right!!

Our shirts were bright pink and said "Stacey's 30th Birthday Road Trip."  We had a great time waiting with the other contestants in bright colored shirts.  It was fun reading everyone's shirts and feeling all the excitement!!  We weren't picked for the show, but we can only imagine how much fun that would have been!  After a stop at Pink's hot dogs in LA, we were headed back to Utah.  I have to say, I got a little teary-eyed to think our trip was done!  I was so so glad we did it.  I was glad for whatever time or money was spent.  It's always worth it to be with family.

Chandliers made out of drinking glasses

They still like each other after a long road trip -- at The Grove in LA

That's my guy!

Remember what happened at the Jersey Shore to Jake?

Waiting to hear, "Come on down!!"

at Redondo Beach at sunset -- just lovely

Beverly Hills

Doing the tourist thing!