The Plan

Whenever planning an adventure, it's important to know that all planning is really just a guide. You have to be ready to deviate if necessary to have the best time possible. With that being said, we still have a plan!

Saturday, July 3
10:18 a.m. - Kayla, Katie and Gum touchdown on LA soil!
10:19 a.m. - Briana leaves her apartment to pick them up. (That's right, I live that close to the airport!)
10:38 a.m. - Briana is hungry and insists on going straight to brunch somewhere by the beach
12:00 noon - We run back to the car and hope there is no ticket on the windshield. LA meters are tough!
12:17 p.m. - We get to my apartment to drop off belongings.
12:18 p.m. - We do a tour of campus so Kayla and Katie can start dreaming of how cool it will be to go to college.
12:41 p.m. - We head north on the Pacific Coast Highway (PCH) to wander down to Santa Monica, including a stop for a mani/pedi!
5:00 p.m. - We head further north on the PCH toward Malibu for dinner at Duke's!
9:15 p.m. - We return to Briana's apartment and crash. Afterall, it is past midnight East Coast time!

Sunday, July 4
10:00 a.m. - Time for more breakfast to get us started on this fine Independence Day!
1:00 p.m. - Take our seats at The Pantages Theater to see "In the Heights" with a ton of friends!
4:30 p.m. - Head back to LMU to barbecue and watch fireworks from the bluff!

Monday, July 5
9:37 a.m. - Briana jumps onto Kayla and Katie to wake them up. Why this time? Why not?
9:38 a.m. - We make a plan for the day that hopefully involves laying on the beach and splashing in the Pacific Ocean.
8:10 p.m. - After a day of fun in the sun, Katie, Kayla and Briana head to a viewing of "Eclipse" because who doesn't love a good Team Edward vs. Team Jacob debate?!

Tuesday, July 6
7:45 a.m. - Time to brave rush hour in LA! It's off to Burbank!
9:00 a.m. - Warner Bros. VIP Studio Tour!
11:30 a.m. - Tours over. Can we eat?
12:30 p.m. - Time to pose with the Hollywood sign, the Walk of Fame, Rodeo Drive and possibly a cupcake!
7:01 p.m. - Time for bed. Do you know how early we need to get up tomorrow?!

Wednesday, July 7
Sunrise - Well after Sunset - Two Words: MICKEY MOUSE! To Disney we go!

Thursday, July 8
12:15 p.m. - Jump on a boat to Catalina Island
1:15 p.m. - Jump off the boat on Catalina Island
1:20 p.m. - Check into our hotel and find some grub
4:00 p.m. - Weeeeeee! That's the sound we'll make on our zip line tour of the Island!
6:30 p.m. - All that zipping's made us hungry!

Friday, July 9
9:00 a.m. - Explore the Island before it's time to leave.
??? - Which boat will we take back?
5:06 p.m. - Meet Judy back in LA for some dinner and rest!

Saturday, July 10
9:30 a.m. - Who's Smarter than a 5th Grader? We'll find out if we are!
1:30 p.m. - Were we Smarter than a 5th Grader?
5:00 p.m. - Time for 'Accomplice,' the mystery tour of Hollywood! Who done it?

Sunday, July 11
9:32 a.m. - Wake up with tears in our eyes because it's the last day!
10:01 a.m. - One more brunch for the road?
11:03 a.m. - What haven't we done that we can fit in?
5:14 p.m. - Time to pack and have some dinner.
5:15 p.m. - Don't forget to leave any pictures you took with Briana!
8:20 p.m. - Back to LAX for the redeye flight to Philly. =(

Monday, July 12
6:19 a.m. - Wake up on an airplane and wonder if it was all a dream. Could Briana possibly be the coolest person ever?! ;-)

Disclaimer: Times and days may change depending on the mood of two teenagers or one 32-year-old. Also, if Briana is not the coolest person ever, it is never, ever appropriate to tell her so. It would ruin her self image.

Trouble Awaits

The last time I had to spend time with these two crazy gals, I had to cage them in to the family room. What will happen when Katie and Kayla are let loose on the streets of Hollywood? There's not a cage big enough to deter the fun!

The Main Event

Just who is this vacation all about? Nobody really knows what makes these two tick, but hopefully we'll soon get a better idea of who they are as the adventure begins!

For now, let's start with what we know. Kayla has just finished the 7th grade, but don't let her age fool you. She has a quick wit that keeps you on your toes. This is her fourth journey to California, and each time, she discovers a new part of the state! She was last seen just off of Rodeo Drive with a piece of red velvet cupcake hanging from her mouth! And Katie may look sweet and innocent, but the minute she starts giggling, you know you're in for some trouble! Upon finding out that she was heading to California for the first time, her immediate response was to buy a sumo wrestling suit. We're still not so sure why!

The Gum who's Got it All

Affectionately nicknamed "Gum" by her one and only granddaughter, this lady is the best grandma around. She works her butt off between January and April during tax season so that she can afford to play for a week in California. Gum is a trooper who is always raring to go during 15 hour Disney days or hours of splashing in the Pacific Ocean. There's no one better to adventure with in California! She's so excited to have her fourth LA vacation with me and Kayla...and this year, she's thrilled to have Katie joining in!

The Hostess with the Mostest

I am an educator by day and a Jersey girl at heart. And of all of the things I've done in life, I am most proud of being an aunt. And one of my most important auntly duties is playing host to my lovely niece for a week every summer while she visits me in Los Angeles. We are always fortunate to be joined by my amazing mom and Kayla's favorite Gum, but this year, we will also be joined by Kayla's partner in crime, Katie. What will we do for eight days in Sunny SoCal? I guess you'll have to keep reading to find out.