Free Birthday buffets at the Barona...

We were surprised to find that there are several casinos in San Diego. They are all situated on Indian Reservations. I especially liked these statues that welcomed us into the casino parking area. Arnold liked the fact that it was my birthday and they were offering two free Seafood buffets if you could prove it was your birthday with an ID!

View of the enormous hotel at the Barona Casino. We were surprised to learn that San Diego was full of casinos. Not all close together like in Las Vegas or Biloxi but spread out all over the area. We googled each one and decided on the Barona. We were impressed at how beautiful it was once we got down into the valley where it was built!

The casino entrance was made up to look like a barn. Not sure why they chose that theme but there was a bunch of farm equipment and benches for people to sit on outside. The weather was actually quite pleasant for my birthday. I'm not sure I'm ready to go back to the southern humidity! Here we are taking a quick picture at the front entrance to the casino.

We don't gamble but we sure love those Casino buffets! Arnold enjoyed the King crab legs but said they weren't as tasty as in Biloxi! (Must be all that cajun seasoning they use in the South!) I spent most of my time visiting the sushi bar, the crepe station, and the prime rib stand. There goes my diet....

On the way home from the buffet we even got to witness a California wildfire (quickly contained of course by the SDFD). We really did notice how dry the vegetation is here in California. I understand now how easily a fire could spread and get quickly out of control. Kind of an exciting thing to watch after we left the casino.

Almost like Disneyland...but not quite so many mouse ears...

Here is a picture of the walkway near the shops at the Americana in Los Angeles. Dorothy kept saying how she loved to visit the Americana because it was just like Disneyland! YOu can kind of see the tracks on the ground where the trolley drives through. You can jump on the trolley anytime during the day and it will take you all the way around the plaza.

Watching the fountains in front of the restaurant. They weren't timed to any music but it was fun to watch nonetheless. We tried taking pictures with the fountains spouting in the background but we could never time it just right. That and the fact that I need a new updated camera didn't help much either! I can still hear Steven saying, "Wait for it...wait for it..." Brings a smile to my face everytime!

Everything about LA is big and bold! Even the restaurants! I was amazed that the maximum occupancy of the Cheesecake factory we ate at. There was a sign on the wall as we walked in that said Maximum Occupany 563 or something like that! I couldn't believe it! How big was that restaurant anyway? It didn't take long for us to get seated and we had a fun "window" view that Aunt Dorothy requested too! It really wasn't. We were right next to a booth with a window. So we giggled about that for a while.

Everyone is beautiful and glamorous in LA! These are the waiters that sang Happy Birthday to me! Arnold HATES when we have people come to the table and sing for birthdays. It doesn't matter if its his birthday or anyone elses. But I begged and pleaded and ignored his request to decline and had the waiters come over to sing. I loved every minute of it and they were awesome! Kudos for them for putting up with patrons like me on their birthday!

View of the Americana from the parking elevators. I was impressed by the parking garage. It was huge and just as glamorous as the plaza. Its a parking garage?????? Only in LA! They even had stalls for people who wanted to have their cars washed while they were visiting the plaza. They also had a doorman at the elevator pushing buttons for you and holding the door open. Its was kind of interesting. For a parking garage....

The Americana Cheesecake Factory...

We decided that while we were all together we would venture out onto the streets of Los angeles and get a little something to eat! Here we are by the fountains at the Americana shopping plaza after we ate lunch.

While at lunch we celebrated my birthday! The most exciting thing about eating at a restaurant in LA was that the waitress handed us a nutritional supplement to the menu! It was awesome! I could see exactly what each item would "cost" me if I ended up ordering it and I went light on the lunch so I could squeeze in this beautiful birthday dessert! Sugar free Cheesecake with a pecan crust topped with fresh strawberries! It was the best! And the waitress brought four spoons so we all got a little taste of it! Nothing like splurging a little when you're on a diet!

Steven and Aunt Dorothy posing for a picture at the restaurant. I loved the fact that Steven ordered the pasta. Aunt Dorothy ordered the grilled cheese and french fries. Arnold ordered the burger w/ a side salad for me! And I had the Thai Spring Rolls. I let Dorothy have a try of one and after one taste politely said it wasn't her favorite! I guess some things are tasty to me because they remind me of Hawaii! Maybe that's why Arnold melts everytime I make him chicken enchiladas with green chile sauce!

Here we are at the stop light right by the Cheesecake factory where we ate lunch with Aunt Dorothy! Arnold was so nervous driving in LA. The traffic wasn't too bad by the plaza but on the freeway it was a nightmare! Especially on the I-5 right around rush hour! We really should've tried to plan that better!

After what seemed like a really long time we all decided what we were going to eat! There were so many choices!!!! Arnold had a fun time with LA's big time menu selections! (This Ton of Fun burger was amazing! He loved every bit of it...)

Spending the day with Aunt Dorothy...

We spent the afternoon visiting wtih Aunt Dorothy in her apartment. It was fun to see all her photos!

The last time we took pictures with Aunt Dorothy it was during a visit they made to come see us in Utah several years ago before Uncle Stanley passed away. It was sure good to visit with her again! We definitely live too far away from family...

Steven and Aunt Dorothy posing for a picture.

I love this photo of Uncle Stanley and Aunt Dorothy in their younger days...

Aunt Dorothy holding a picture of Uncle Stanley and telling us about some fun memories...

Surprising Aunt Dorothy...

While we had Steven with us we decided to drivee up to Glendale, California near Los Angeles and surprise Arnold's great aunt Dorothy with a visit!

While visiting with Aunt Dorothy we ran into one of her neighbors who knew Arnold's Uncle Stanley as a young single adult before he married Dorothy. It was fun to reminisce with someone who knew Uncle Stanley back then!

Aunt Dorothy couldn't get over how big and tall Steven had gotten over the years.

It had been several years since we last saw her! She looked great and I was amazed at how healthy she still is! Always full of energy and smiling! That's what we remember the most about her!

A picture of the front entrance to Aunt Dorothy's home.

Food...food..everywhere!

Jack in the Box's sourdough burger!!!!



In and Out Burgers - Only in California!



Arnold's still hungry! What's next????

Unexpected sightings....

So we get this txt from Arnold's brother Steven after we've only been in San Diego for a few days saying that he TOO was in the area with his roommate from BYU!

Arnold and Steven comparing heights. Arnold is 15 yrs older than Steven but he certainly out ranks Arnold when it comes to height!

Steven's height came in handy at the San Diego temple when I wanted a clear picture of the temple without those iron gates in the way!

What a fun surprise to run into Steven while on vacation!

Arnold and Steven finally settling on a sitting pose so one wouldn't be too much taller than the other!

San Diego Temple near La Jolla, Ca...

Visiting the San Diego temple was a highlight for us! It is one of our favorite temples because of its unique design!

Posing in front of the temple outside the gates for a quick pic!

The sun was setting and the spires looked amazing! How did the church secure so much land in such an awesome La Jolla neighborhood?

We were so sad when we drove up to the temple during our trip and saw that it was closed for its annual week of cleaning!

San Diego temple near La Jolla, California.

Our hotel and some sights of San Diego...

We stayed at the Hampton Inn and Suites in Poway, Ca about 20 minutes north of San Diego.

Outdoor pool and jacuzzi which came in handy several times when we just wanted to sit, soak, and relax!

Beautiful view of the San Diego harbor.

Those signature tall skinny palm trees told us we were definitely in Cali!

There's nothing quite like a California sunset!

California dreaming....

After a cancelled flight and a 4:00 am cab ride back to the airport Arnold and I were both ready to be on vacation!

Riding the train to the next terminal at the Dallas Ft. Worth airport! I miss living in a big city with a nice big beautiful airport!

I kind of have the feeling we'll be taking a lot of pictures like this... traveling alone has its advantages, but some of the perks of having extra photogs go out the window when you travel childless!

Arnold glad to be on the way to the gate and safely through security! We hate going through security! That whole "take your shoes off" thing really irritates me!

Picture of our plane right before we boarded in Mobile, Alabama.