For Chris' 30th birthday, I have been planning this trip. I wanted him to feel like a kid again. I was putting money from every paycheck into a secret account for over 2 years. I wanted him to feel like a kid again so I got some information from him and his mom. When he was little his favorite vacations were to Huntington Beach and to Disneyland. So I planned this trip to Huntington Beach with some other activities as well. We left early Sat. morning and everything was a total surprise. He had no idea other than he had to arrange some time off from school which he can KINDOF do at this point in 3rd year just by manipulating some patient appointments. I said we were going for a trip Sat. morning and took him to the airport. The funny thing is that we flew into John Wayne airport and when I said that to the skycap, he thought we were going to Texas. LOL. Love those surprises (which Chris says are more for me because he isn't a big fan of surprises). We stayed at the Hyatt Regency Resort in Huntington Beach (link for pictures in previous post) and then spent the evening exploring the pier at HB. We stopped in an Irish pub because they had the Red Sox game on and Chris wanted a Reuben. Then it was back to relax.
The next morning, the Easter Bunny came. And what did he bring besides candy and kid's toys? RED SOX TICKETS to the game!! The Red Sox happened to be playing the Angels while we were there so we HAD to do that.
The stadium had a memorial set up for the 22 year old pitcher on the team who had just died the previous week in a car crash. So sad!!
The field and stadium were just beautiful!! Not long after the game started...Beckett pitched a ball right at the batter's head and there was a huge brawl on field. That's our boys!! Crazy Red Sox.
After things had calmed down a bit.
Watching the game. Chris was just estatic to be there!
After the game. We lost but it was a GREAT game and very close. I was worried it would be a sleepy one where we would dominate but it had us out of our seats and on the edge of our seats the whole game.
One of the fans dressed at the Green Monster from Fenway. There were SO MANY Red Sox fans there is was crazy. All the crowd cheers were for the Red Sox. We tend to be a loud and rowdy group. But seriously...when we walked in it was like a sea of Red Sox fans and then a few angels fans.
I got to visit with one of my best pals Ally from high school who now lives in LA. She came to the resort with some friends. I miss her alot!
The next day we rented bikes from the resort and rose down to Newport Beach (about 6 miles). We ate at this great place called Baja Sharkeez because they had the game on. LOL. They had like 10 big TV's so we had to stop and watch. The food was FANTASTIC!
The Newport Beach Pier
We stopped to watch some guys fish and surf there.
We stopped for some ice cream after the bike back. It started to get really hot!
Chris didn't tell me he was taking this picture. Umm...trying to look cool? TRYING.
Sporting the beach cruiser bikes.
I LOVED this bike!! It is absolutely on my Christmas/birthday gift wish list if we end up living somewhere flat where a 1 speed would be good.
The hot tubs by our room.
There were Birds of Paradise everywhere. These ones really looked like birds. They were beautiful!
The view of a sunset from our room. We got upgraded to a Deluxe King when I told them it was Chris' 30th! Plus we got free breakfast vouchers for every morning in their resturant. Breakfast was just fantastic. Omelets galore and on Easter they had an amazing brunch buffet.
The courtyard view from our room looking the other way from the ocean.
They had some great fountains there which I just loved.
We walked on the beach that night and got in trouble because we were on the sand after 10pm. Whoops...just a warning. PHEW! But the resort had this beautiful bridge that went out to the beach with a lighthouse. Chris...trying to look in deep thought as it is the eve before the big 3-0. Symbolic of bridging to the next era in his life.
This fountain was my favorite.
They had Tiki torches lit around the resort at night which I thought was a cool touch.
The big day!! We started it off with some golf.
After golfing Chris got a massage at the spa. Which was just lovely! I spent the day in there just relaxing. They had waterfall showers, steam rooms, sanuna, a sea salt jetted tub, healthy snacks, music, and relaxation areas. Miss it so much!! Check out the pics on the next post. This is the next part of our day...walking out to the HB pier.
Chris wanted his pic in front on Ruby's which is at the end of the HB pier. He used to go there with his Track buddies when they took trips in high school. Good times!!
We ate lunch at Dukes which we fell in love with in Hawaii.
We had a great meal but our favorite was the HULU pie for dessert. I had the waiter slip on some candles. Chris kept talking about how good this pie was (which was mostly ice cream, macademia nuts, cookie crust, and whip cream) for the ENTIRE day. It was delectable!
Make a wish sweetie!!
The next part of our day (or Chris' BIG day) was going to Disneyland. I saw this hat in the store and had to laugh. I presented Chris with the tickets inside two books that I bought him for his birthday. His favorite stories were Peter Pan and Bambii so I bought him the books and put the brochure for the park inside.
The Happiest Place on Earth. REALLY!
I bought Chris this sweatshirt with Grumpy on it because at 30 he is now a Grumpy old man. LOL. Not really but we liked it so we bought it.
You've gotta wear mouse ears at Disneyland.
For your birthday you get in free in Disneyland this year and you also get to wear this fun pin that says it's your birthday and literally everyone you pass wishes you a happy birthday. It was fun!
Our first ride. Since it was spring break we had to wait over and hour for this one. We got there too late for fast passes so we just took one for the team. I don't know why I look so terrified in this picture. I'm always a little over dramatic when it comes to roller coasters. I kept expecting a big drop but forgot that most of the rides at disney don't have those because little kids ride them.
The parade.
Chris wanted to ride "It's a Small World" which they have made changes to and it was really good!
Mr. Toad. Chris' favorite kids rides were Mr. Toad, Peter Pan, and Small world so we had to do those!
The fireworks at the end of the night. We were actually on Thunder Mountain when they started and it was really cool because we were so close to them. I LOVE the fireworks show at Disney. We ended up staying past midnight and got to ride all the rides we wanted to.
Then it was our sad day to go home....we had a great time! We picked up Maximus from a friend's house (Thanks so much Rachel!!) and when we got home and unpacked everything I found Maximus IN our suitcase!! LOL! I guess he wants us to take him with us in our suitcase next time. We missed him too! Overall...great trip. Happy birthday Chris!! Now...I have to start planning and saving for 40. Oh boy! Thankfully 50 is already planned.
Above is some video of Chris surfing by HB pier. JK! Just some random guy we watched catch some great waves.
