Allison and Brian's April Visit

On April 6th Allison and Brian arrived!  We had planned to pick them up and drive to the Grand Canyon but Steve ended up  having to work.   While walking in Venice Beach earlier that day, we discovered that the show Ninja Warrior was going to be filmed at 7 p.m.  So after eating the tamales we bought from a Venice Beach vendor - Brian, Allison, and I walked back to watch the action.

 We waited and waited and waited.  

We finally gave up due to our cold tired feet.

The next afternoon we drove to La Jolla which Allison and Brian had never seen.  Can you tell it's one of our favorite places?  Walter sat in Allison's lap for most of the way!

Brian and Steve caught the tail end of a car show which they enjoyed!

On Monday we went to Extra at The Grove.  To much of her dismay, Allison was interviewed by Maria which was televised.

Afterwards we needed a breath of fresh air and went for a drive thru the Angeles National Forrest and on to the Vasquez Rocks.

Of course, Walter went with us!  He's such a good traveler (which is good to know since we will be driving back to Florida with him when we leave here)! 

On Tuesday, Steve took the day off because we all had tickets to see Ellen.  We didn't have to be there until 2 p.m. so Allison and I dropped the guys off at the La Brea Tar Pitts while we explored the Beverly Hills area.  We first stopped at a Beverly Hills Goodwill where I bought a few items and then we went to Rolling Greens,  a unique home and gardening store that Allison had read about on a blog.  

We then window shopped along Robertson Avenue and stumbled upon a restaurant I've been wanting to go to for a long time, The Ivy.  What fun!

We were greeted with complimentary champagne!

We then picked the guys up from their hamburger joint and drove to Ellen.

A sign that I've attended too many talk shows is when I'm disappointed in the experience.  Ellen's guests were Mario Lopez and Bethenny Frankel, people Allison and I had previously seen and Ellen couldn't dance up the stairs due to a back injury.  Ok, there, I said it.  I know I should be thankful that I even got to see Ellen's show.  And like I said, I think I've been to too many shows.  We all got a cd and a Powerball Lotto ticket, but none of them were winning tickets. I know, I'm complaining again.

Brian left early Wednesday morning and I'm not sure what all Allison and I did until she left on Saturday.  I know that we went to Santee Alley and to Olivera Street in downtown L.A.  But besides that, I have no idea.  I know we had fun and enjoyed our time together!

 We picked up some more tamales from this restaurant and took them home for dinner!

An incredible succulent wall (which was huge) near Olivera Street

We went to Andy Cohen's book signing at Barnes & Noble. He was quite entertaining and personable!

One last picture of what a morning is like for Walter when Allison is here visiting!

 We sure hope they can return again before we move back!  Thanks for coming Allison and Brian!