Life with Jack & Zach: Ortega

Steve and I have been able to enjoy some extra time off this week, which is really nice. Karley was able to spend some much needed time with her Mom and Dad while they were visiting last week. Karley returned on Tuesday and it works out great so that way Steve and I can get out and have some quiet time. We got up early to get ready for the day and were greeted by the boys just as we were trying to exit the house. J They are in big boy beds now and are getting acclimated to their new routine. That said new routines always can be an adjustment, but I have to say they are doing much better than we ever anticipated. In any event, we hung out for a little letting them know that we are leaving but will be back to play with them. Kids are always so quick to snap back and are fortunate our boys are that way. It really helps especially knowing that Pre-school is in the near future. Steve and I started our day by going to Turk’s in Dana Point near the harbor for breakfast. We have made this our tradition if we have Karley on a day that we have off from work. Turk’s has been around for quite some time and the service is great.

After Turk’s Steve wanted to take me to the top of the mountain off Ortega Hwy. Steve drives Ortega Hwy from time to time if he has to visit a hospital DPR is working on and he said the view is amazing. The journey up can be dangerous as the road is really steep not to mention curvy, but the view is indeed amazing. We took some amazing photos and then made our way back down and traveled the 91. Steve thought I should experience that commute at least once since there was no traffic with the holiday break. I guess the 91 is one of the only entrances to 405 from those that live near the mountains, which is the main highway and so it can get pretty congested. From there it merges into the 55, taking us near the South Coast Mall, which makes shopping really fun. J Needless to say we pit stopped and had a little fun. By the time we left the mall it was noon and my feet were already tired and I was getting hungry. We went to one of our favorite restaurants, PF Changs, for lunch. This time we decided to go to the one at Fashion Island in Newport Beach. The ocean view is amazing. Eventually we made our way into the mall to get my watch sized. We also did a little more shopping at Nordstroms and then decided to have an afternoon drink at Tommy Bahamas. Steve loves the restaurant, and clothes--HA! On our way home we stopped at Coyote Grill in Laguna Beach for Mexican dinner and the food was d-lish. It was by far the best Mexican food to date living in California. Yummy! We are definitely taking the boys. The restaurant is tiny but the back overlooks the ocean so not only good food but a GREAT view. We got home in time to finish up bath time and had some quality time with the kiddos before tucking them into bed.