Newport Beach, California

Man, such a stir over one tiny little picture of LA Ink High Voltage Tatoo Parlor! Yes, I am a closet watcher of this show...have been since the beginning. It keeps me up-to-date on how the world works outside of the flatlands. The REAL world. And let me just say that after hunting it down in LA, if Tyson and I could have thought of one single thing we wanted on our bodies for the rest of our lives, we would have gotten it there. While we were there it was "walk-ins welcome" because they weren't filming. Perfect opportunity, but just no inspiration. Back to the beginning...we were invited to my cousin's wedding in Newport. "Onboard the yacht 'Ambassador' departing at 6pm and returning portside at 10pm," to be exact. We never in a million years thought we could go. Yeah right! Tyson has had a vendor in LA, Simi Valley really, since the start of our company. They have been phone friends all this time, so Tyson decided it was time to go and visit him the same weekend as the wedding! WooHoo for executive decisions paid for by company funds! So we were off, without the kiddos, too! We absolutely loved it. Newport Beach is an entirely different world that what we are used to. Everything is immaculate and just as you might see on tv. The OC ring a bell? Homes are piled right next to each other, and rentals of a condo were 1.5 million. My cousins' friends were amazed at "all the land" you could own in Texas for under $200,000, and wanted to know what living in the Bible Belt meant. We were offered more drinks that we have ever been offered in our lives, and when I got back every time someone asked me if I wanted a drink I felt the need to explain, though Grandad just wanted to get me some water! We went to The Grove, ate at the Farmer's Market, drove all around Hollywood, Beverly, and downtown LA, found La Brea Ave and LA Ink, enjoyed seeing real surfers, walked up and down the beach, drove all around the towns of Newport and Balboa, took the ferry to Little Balboa Island, ate amazing, and actually cheap, seafood-I need a fish taco, had an original Balboa Chocolate Covered Banana...twice, longed for Roxy and Billabong stores where we live, and enjoyed a beautiful wedding on a yacht! Here are some pictures of one of the most wonderful trips we have ever been on. Tyson is already trying to figure out another reason to visit his vendor again!

Kat Von D herself, on a mural in the back of the store

Farmer's Market...best kept secret of LA, hands down


My Lavash, a flatbread filled with many things. Mine with chicken, cream and mushrooms. Origin is in the Mediterranean back in the villages in the hills. Wow.


Sweet, sweet, beautiful Sheena? I could not understand her name very well, but she worked at Moishe's Village Boreakas in Farmer's Market. She was asked in her early twenties to come and work in the US from Lebanon. She did not want to come, but her father made her. She never was able to see him and most of her family again. She had a son who hated life in LA/USA so much that he killed himself. He could not bear it here anymore. She was an amazing and beautiful and strong woman. Hug her for me if you ever go there.



Mmmmmmmm, freshly dipped! Tyson is a little too excited about this apple!



Inspiration Point and the view both ways. Well worth the steep walking trail!

Newport Pier

Taking the ferry to Balboa

I have serious cravings for these bananas. They were on the Food Network!

Michael looking for his bride, and his brother Patrick
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Uncle Terry and Danida

Michael and Cynthia

Cuz and Cuz

Happy ending to a wonderful trip!