We took my mom and dad to Newport Beach for a Mini Vacation / long weekend. We stayed at the Marriot Newport Beach, at Fashion Island. We didn’t want to spend a day driving somewhere so we stayed fairly close to home, about an hour drive. They have had quite a busy year and needs some time away. The hotel was pretty nice. The host liked BK’s Brasil jersey and gave BK a whale plushy. He also checked us in early and got our 2 rooms high on the 11th floor and close to each other. Working the check-in is a fine art.

MM’s birthday is around the corner, so we celebrated at the Cheesecake Factory. Yummy desserts.

We shopped at Fashion Island. Cool fountains and koi pond.

Since MM was born in the year of the Dragon, my mom and dad gave her a commemorative gold dragon pendant.

We went to Corona Del Mar Beach. It was busy hot summer day. We lucked out on parking, but the hike down to the beach was a bit much for my dad.

BK and I hiked around the rocks and played in the water. MM made sure we made a sand castle with the location carved into it.

The sushi place had a body sensing color changing bench. We saw the Mission Impossible movie. Pretty thrilling movie. The theater was really nice. Large individual seats, with super wide arm rests. Assigned seats.

We walked out to the Balboa Pier and Funzone.

We rented a boat and cruised around the harbor. The kids enjoyed driving the boat. We saw a sea lion catch a fish. We saw a jet pack dude fly by. Awesome.

 

Newport Beach was as beautiful as my wife.

On the way home, my mom wanted a chicken dinner at Knott’s Berry Farm. Very nostalgic. We’ve been going for chicken dinners there since I was a tiny tot. My mom’s folks lived in Buena Park for many years and we used to have dinners there a few times every summer with them.