last of cali.

just some last instas of my california adventure...

i love speed scrabble. still.

all soup should be served in a bread bowl. no exceptions.

say it: poo-ket. i know, i thought it too.

well hello best movie theater mural ever.

farmer's market strawberries. most amazing strawberries of my entire life.

california signs are extremely specific.

lots of coinage for hb off pch #californialingo #word

i printed, stickered, stamped, stuffed, and sealed over 300 of these bad boys. what up.

goodbye california.

i got a lot more sad than i thought i would to leave my job. i met a ton of cool people and was just starting to feel settled in when it ended. i worked a lot with long beach animal care services so the guys took me out to lunch for one last hurrah. they were so nice and so fun to be around, i'm surprised i didn't cry when i said goodbye.

pictured: lt. david linn, richard cranston, me, john keisler. don't mind my arm, i just like being awkward in pictures, that's all.

 after my last day [seriously, i was so sad] i drove down to carlsbad to hang out with daddy-o. he made me dinner and we watched the adjustment bureau [ps so good]. the next morning we went down to the beach and i went for one last beach run while he road his bike. then we had a late breakfast at this beautiful, super yummy cafe.

 i had a little post run, pre breakfast snack while we were waiting to be seated.

 then i showered, took the car to jiffy lube [thanks dad!] and headed up to huntington beach. after some super fun traffic, i got to pacific coast highway and it was crazy. with the surf open plus a free jimmy eat world concert [the reason i was going] it was incredibly peopled. check it out.

 i decided it wasn't worth it to try and find a parking spot so i drove up to long beach and got myself one last authentic [delicious] fish taco.

then i went to my grandparents to say goodbye, went home, chatted with mike and amy for a bit, then went to bed. for the last time. in california. #dramamuch

saturday.

my last saturday.

i had breakfast with my grandparents at schooner or later, a cool old place right by the marina in long beach. i love eating by the water. or doing anything by the water really.

how cute are they? please note my grandpa's hat.

then i went down to huntington and did some homework by the beach #perfection. after a while i met up with anna and her sister. we went over to the pier because it was the first day of the us surf open. they had a ton of cool stuff and watching the surfing was really neat. and we left our mark on this huge board: byu 4eva!

homeboy's arms are nice #surferboys

after i said bye to them, i laid out on the beach a bit and soaked up some sun [with sunscreen of course]. on my way home i stopped at this farmers market. i wish i could shop at farmers markets everyday!

 after i got home and showered, i went up to pasadena to hang out with my friend brandon from byu. we went to king taco for some authentic mexican food and then saw cowboys and aliens [which i loved]. it was super fun! plus we drove on the rose parade route :)

i thought he was covering his face. nope, he was giving me a high five #hiimawkward

messy food is the best food.

concerts in the park.

every thursday in july the long beach municipal band performs at marine stadium in long beach. my family has been going to it for years and this summer i got to participate in the festivities. it is so much fun and the music is so great. there are hundreds of people there that lay out blankets and have dinner in the park, and also a lot of boats in the marina where people listen to the music. my grandparents go two hours early every week and get a spot right up front. here is a compilation of some pics from the last few weeks we've gone.

 uncle mike and aunt amy. they are super awesome.

 aunt missy and her horse, taz.

 the moon was so full and low that night.

 my dad with his second grade teacher. so cute!

 uncle mike and my brother blake. what cool cats.

 the last concert was last week. it was such a perfect california night #ilivehere

 and we go to yogurtland every week after the concert. my dad loves me.

i can't believe i'm leaving this week. it will be bittersweet but it's been so fun to spend time with my family at these concerts every week. yay for memories and love!

ahlin's perfect weekend part 2

sunday i gave a talk in church while sarah, danny, and colby were partaking in some of this: 

 after church i drove down to the beach and sat on a bench for a bit. it was so beautiful. then, out of nowhere, there were like fifteen dolphins just swimming right by the shore, for at least twenty minutes. it was so cool, i decided to just watch them and take it all in rather than try to get a crappy picture. it was definitely an awesome 'i live in california' moment.

 then i went home, watched some of 'the office' and then met up with sarah and danny at the boys' hotel. they told me all about their disneyland adventures and we were starving so we got some taco bell. pretty much eating taco bell, chillin with my besties, watching 'how i met your mother' is all i could really ask for.

it was so great to play with them for a couple days and make fun memories. especially getting to be with sarah on the anniversary of our friendship. thanks for the two years of being the best bffl ever. youda youda best.

ain't no party like a griffith party.

i made it all in one piece to california and the next dat was father's day. we went to my aunt missy and uncle ric's house for a family bbq. it was so great, i hadn't seen my cali family in forever. 

and when it comes to griffith parties, there is no disappointment.

my cute grandpa with his father's day present.

my pretty present from missy and ric.

they made me a cake! coffee cake, yum yum, a family fave.

just chillin in perfect weather looking at orange trees, that's all.

like father like son. my dad can sleep anywhere in any position.

dad, me, gina, and blake. love.

love my aunt missy.

i am a fan of my birthday, my family, and fathers. so pretty much this day was a win.