A couple weeks ago, Grandma and Grandpa Harrer came out to SoCal to visit us and do some sightseeing in SoCal. They were able to stay in our guest house and had a rental car so they were able to explore while Nick and I were working and Ellie was at school. But when we weren't working we were able to do fun things together.
The first full day they were here we went to Knotts Berry Farm. This was a first visit for Nick, his parents, and Ellie. The last time I was at Knotts I think I was under 40 inches tall. I had some random very slight memories, mostly of a carousel. So really, it was a new experience for all of us.
We had fun. Although it was very obvious to Ellie all the big kid rides that she couldn't go on. There were some large and very fun roller coasters which those of us over 48 inches tall were able to go on. Nick and his dad were very adventurous and went on some of the super big kid rides. I joined them for one of the big, loopy loop roller coaster. I was throughly impressed at Grandpa Harrer's guts to ride the rides he did. There were lots of "little kid" rides that Ellie go to go on. Some we got to join her on, but some others you had to be under a certain height and so she got the thrill of going on those alone.
It was fun to take Grandma and Grandpa on some of the kid rides. They were brave enough to ride on some of the spinny rides which Ellie absolutely loves.
There was a little kid roller coaster that we went on twice. So we got the self portrait smiling face picture and the screaming/laughing during the ride photo.
Nick was super happy to see that there was a Pinks hot dog stand (probably in the top 5 of his favorite places in Los Angeles) at Knotts. This was very convenient because he was going to take his parents to the original Pinks which is downtown, but we were able to experience Pinks and go to Knotts in the same day!
One ride is a very slow spinning elevator type thing that takes you up high and you get a 360 degree view of Knotts and Orange County. Ellie enjoyed this ride as we got to see all the "big kid" rides. It was fun. One ride Ellie didn't like...the train. While Nick, Grandpa H and I went on one of the big rides, Ellie and Grandma H went on the train. Nobody knew or was prepared for the train to be "robbed". Outlaws got on the train and there was like a fake fight. Well, this was quite scary for Ellie and she did not enjoy it.
We did enjoy the stagecoach ride. The whole family got to sit inside (we opted not to wait longer to ride on top of the stagecoach). It was relaxing and fun way to ride around the outside of part of the park. Real horses, real stagecoach, and really fun. I didn't get any great pictures though.
While Knotts was fun. the next day we went to the beach. We opted to head down to Manhattan Beach to visit the aquarium on the pier, play in the waves, and eat lunch. Ellie donned her bathing suit and wasn't as afraid of the waves as she has been previously...braving to get up to her ankles and even her knees wet (with Daddy nearby of course).
After the beach we came back to the house. In honor of Earth Day, I had a little project for Ellie involving planting some flower seeds. Grandma Harrer helped Ellie put soil into the planters and helped her get the seeds in.
We had fun having Grandma and Grandpa H hanging with us while out in Cali. I hope that they had fun and enjoyed their adventures. Ellie was super excited to have them here and was sad when they left. She can't wait to head back to Chicagoland and see visit with them (and Aunt Cindy, Uncle Mike, and Baby Tristan).
