Mickey, Mickey, Shamu and a fat lip

After boarding the plane in Sydney, Lily was was very excited to finally be seeing Mickey Mouse - plane and Mickey Mouse is all she had been talking about for a week! She was a little disappointed to not see Mickey Mouse on the actual plane but was excited once again when we arrived in LA after a 14hour fairly sleepless flight and we told her that we were going to stay at Mickey's house. Try explaining to a two year old that we're staying at Mickey Shockley's house not Mickey Mouse's house!

Malibu

We went to Santa Monica for the day and Lily got her first 'serious' injury - went face first into the pavement with her tooth going through her lip. She tripped over daddy's foot - blood everywhere and a fat lip for a few days.

Santa Monica Pier

We spent a few relaxing days in LA and then headed to Disneyland to see Mickey Mouse -finally! Lily loved all of the rides but the highlight was definitely hugging Mickey and going on It's a Small World three times. She danced with Pinocchio and Pluto in the Disney parade and when we woke the next morning she wanted to go see Mickey again.

Next on our agenda was to see Shamu at Seaworld - who doesn't love a big whale jumping metres out of the water. The dolphin show and seal/otter show were also good but Shamu certainly takes centre stage....shamu! shamu! shamu!

Headed a little back up the coast to a gorgeous spot La Jolla, just north of San Diego. There is a seal colony a short walk from the main cove and loads of little squirrels running around the place. A small beach inlet was designed for families but the seals have taken over - Michael was a little concerned swimming here - where there are seals there are generally sharks! Met up with Marc Lewis and his family who actually swam the Channel five days after Murph did. It was great to see them again and we look forward to seeing them in Sydney in a few months.

There was an exhibition of cows that were painted by different artists and were being auctioned off for charity. Lily had to have a photo with every cow - there was one on every street corner and then some so needless to say we had a slow stroll through town.

The Lewis family - Suzanne, Marc and Evan

Spent a day in Hollywood - so so and not overly exciting. Went to see the Chinese Theatre (where the hands and feet are), Farmers Market, Rodeo Drive and went for a drive around all of the mansions in Beverly Hills.

A big thank you to the Shockley family, especially Mickey for spoiling us rotten on our trip and I am sure Lily is very grateful for Kila being kicked out of her house during our stay.

Lily with Kim

Big cuddles for Mickey

The Shockleys! Mike, Mickey, Kim and Donna