Roadtrippin'...for the first time.

a few weeks ago we packed up our bags and headed to san diego and los angeles for a few days.  baby girl is an awesome traveller.  we only stopped once on our drive to and from southern california!  i was totally expecting the worse, but was pleasantly surprised.  ella is a great travel companion.  we're already planning for our next family vacation.

we celebrated my niece's first birthday in san diego.  here she is opening her presents.

the park where we celebrated her birthday had a water park for the kids!

and while the kids played in the water, the men played basketball.

we also had some relaxing moments at home so that ella could get to know her cousins.

after a few days in san diego, we headed to los angeles.  here is ella in our hotel room checking out the bed.

and doing a little tummy time as well.

we were craving fore some ice cream and cookies so we headed to westwood and grabbed some...

before we headed back home, we had breakfast at porto's bakery where we indulged on potato balls, cheese rolls, and guava and cheese pastries.  yummy!

before we left our hotel, we took a rare family photo of all 3 of us.

and here is gabriella knocked out in her car seat ready to embark on the 6 hour drive back to the bay.