After the BFM was over, Leslie took her crew to do some L.A.-area sightseeing before heading back to San Diego. First we went to Olvera Street, which is a big Mexican bazaar in the historic area where L.A. was founded.

Leslie2 liked the Mexican fans

Then Leslie drove them to Hollywood, where she got to meet Jimmy Neutron

and Dana got up close & personal with Jackie Chan's star on the Walk of Fame.

Leslie brought Jenn, Dana & Leslie2 home with her, and what does she get for thanks in return?! They take over our computers! You'd think that they'd been on a 4-day forum fast or something!

The next day, Leslie took Jenn back to the airport, and then they all went to La Jolla to see the seals & play in the tidepools. Dana also took pictures of the kids (expand the pic below & you'll see that she's taking a pic of Rebekah).

Crazy Elijah & Leslie2 got in the water, which was a brisk 62 degrees!

Dana had fun looking for photography subjects in the tidepools.

Rachel just clambered all over the place!

Joanna, the little show-off

Rebekah found a little hermit crab

Dana & Leslie enjoyed the beautiful day in La Jolla

And the next morning, they went home to their decidedly ocean-less homes! We miss them, and look forward to seeing them again sometime!

Leslie had the opportunity, thanks to her wonderful husband (who stayed home with the children, cooked, cleaned & even did school!), to meet up with 50 of her e-maginary friends from the Sonlight forums for a weekend in Orange County. It started with Mike making this wonderful ganache-covered brownie dessert. Scrumptious!

Next, she went to the airport to pick up 2 friends, Jenn & Leslie2, who flew here to San Diego to keep her company on the drive. Wasn't that nice of them?!

More information about the brownies at http://blog.madcookie.net/dasBlog/2008/04/30/GanacheToppedBrownies.aspx

The first night, everyone crowded into Michelle's suite & played games--it was VERY loud in there, almost like the forums had exploded into one room and turned on the volume full-blast!

Everyone stayed at a gorgeous hotel. I'm sure that they enjoyed the name of the group!

Leslie & her roomies, Elizabeth, Melody & Kristi

Dinner at Ruby's on the Huntington Beach pier was quite fun--and great views!

This is the view of the Hilton (the tall building) from the end of the pier

Leslie & Kristi on the balcony of their room

Part of the "(Un)talent Show"

A great time was had by all, even if they didn't get much sleep, and Leslie is looking forward to San Antonio next year (if Mike will let her go again!)

On the way to Yosemite, we stopped in Fresno for lunch & supplies at Costco, and got to meet Sonlight friend Liz Ann & her family. We have new friends wherever we go, thanks to Sonlight! :)

The now-traditional picture of our backs!



The boys being silly & warming up on the sidewalk!

Leslie & the kids had a meetup with another Sonlight family at the San Diego Zoo. Tara/Samurai Mom came with her whole family, and we had a great time!

Here's the traditional picture of everyone's backs!

and a pic of everyone's fronts! :)

Tara & Leslie check out the macaw

We had a really good time!

Leslie & the kids met some new friends (from the Sonlight Forums) at the Reuben H Fleet Science Center in Balboa Park. They had a great time!

It was a gorgeous day, and we enjoyed picnicking outside by the fountain


Leslie & her new friends Janet & Rachelle (and Jedidiah too!)