Happy Independence Day!

There, I guess King George will be able to read that.
John Hancock
On signing the American Declaration of Independence.

Pancake breakfast at the park.  Hike in the afternoon.  Off to the beach for fireworks.  

Gangsta West

It's been a fun week now that we are FINALLY in our home.  I get pictures daily from Taani and the kids from different locations and fun adventures.  It's an amazing city actually.  I had a thought in my head pre-LA that LA is the TV version we all see played out daily in reality shows and in celebrity meltdowns, even though I've been to So Cal a million times.  However, that group has their corner (Hollywood) and overall, it's an amazing city.  It's a massive world city.  From food to fun we have really enjoyed ourselves.

We were at the Dodgers last night.  West got an LA Dodgers hat.  He self turned it and became Gangsta West.  The kid is a sports nut.  

On our way home from the game.  Amazing view of the city and this picture doesn't do it justice.  We are in the ballpark parking lot and then drove right through the city.  To quote Neeley when we drove through downtown, "Wow, this is beautiful."

T Minus Five Sleeps!

We are almost there.  We measure everything with kids as "sleeps."  For example: Six more sleeps 'til Santa.  Three more sleeps 'til Grandma comes, etc...  Well, after a month on a small queen bed in a hotel, we are FIVE sleeps from our house!  Wahoo!

We drove up the 405 today and went to our temple (25/30 mins away) - the LA Temple.  What a great visit and visitors center.  I couldn't help but think this is the temple we will take Hattie when she turns 12.  NOTE: West was NOT interested in being in the picture.  He's been on one.  Terrible threes?  Is there such a thing?  He was great a two, but three has been insane.

Great day.  We spoke in our new ward.  Kids are settling in with new friends.  Now to just get the home!  We reunite with our stuff on Friday when the movers arrive.  Man, I hope two months on a truck in hot PHX didn't ruin our baby grand.  Fingers crossed.

Weekend Adventures

Just another weekend...

The beach near our home.  Never very crowded, more of a local place.

Exploring tide pools in Malaga Cove.

Fiesta Hermosa - totally fun.

West scored a hat "just like Dads."

Exploring more tide pools and we saw dolphins - lots of 'em.

Ah paradise.

BEACH OR BUST

WE ARRIVED.  Wow, it wasn't this hard to relocate half way across the country 8 years ago, but one state over has been intense.  I believe its the combination of LA Real Estate being highly competitive really and being in a much more detailed point in life.  

We arrived Saturday afternoon.  Went to our hotel and walked into our room and realized that there was no way we were going to be able to live in that space with a family of five for three weeks.  So...we checked out upon checking in and drove quickly to the Residence Inn.  They were sold out for that night so sent us to a Courtyard.  We schelpped three kids, two cars, schtuff (and I mean schtuff) up thee floors and then down three floors the next day to head to the Res Inn.  

Upon checking into the Residence Inn the lady said, "Thank you Mr. Secrist, I have you down for 26 nights."  I've never heard that before.  But what a great space its been for us!  Breakfast, pool. hot tub, tennis courts, two story apartment like space and minutes from everything.

By Sunday afternoon, after going to our new ward, this is what happened.  Neeley is the stitch of pink in the back of the photo.  Everyone was tired. 

Here's our 26 night home:  Inside we have two full bedrooms and bathrooms (one upstairs).  It's been a good place and thank goodness for relocation expenses! I think we will take a trip to NYC on our Marriott Points.

After I removed myself from the mix, I couldn't resist.  They've been troopers (yes, we could have killed them at times, but ultimately they have been good).

Their first day out and about.  This is 8 minutes from our home.  We've already found favorite beaches, amazing Farmer's Markets (almost daily), cool piers, fun festivals, hikes, lighthouses...yeah, we are loving it here.

Taani registered the gals for school next fall.  To say we are impressed by this 60 year old school is an understatement.  This is an amazing school district.  Amazing!  The kids loved how there were several buildings all facing a huge courtyard with hallways outside, coat racks outside and even a school garden.  

COME VISIT!

WE HAVE A HOUSE!

We are very excited.  It's extremely difficult to find a home in LA.  Multiple offers, racing to the house, disappointment.  Man, it's been a challenge.  Well, we found it!  Actually, I found it a week ago and fell in love and then it wasn't ours.  Devastation.  Seriously.  Last night we got the news it was ours.  We are so excited.  For our AZ friends, think Arcadia.  Built in 1960, remodeled, hillside over looking the lights of LA, great schools, tree lined streets, horse properties arounds us (seriously).  It's amazing.  

This weekend we are officially out of AZ and into CA.  Wow!

The Front:

Part of the yards (wraps the whole house):

The backyard:

The back of the house - french doors along the whole back.

The front room.  It's going to look awesome with our baby grand!  

Girls bedroom with jack and jill into West's room.

We are so excited.  Our new area is amazing.  Can't wait.

The Road to California..

Our renters moved in our home.  We are very excited to have found a great couple who loves our house.  We love Nighthawk Way too, so its good.  

We are most grateful for AWESOME family who let us move into their amazing guest home. Thank you Diana and Craig for your amazing generosity when we needed to be out of our home.  When we told West one day this week that it is time to "head home" (meaning up to Diana's) he thought we meant our house on Nighthawk and loudly protested, "NO, I want to go to Diana's."  She's the beloved.  We all think so too West. 

Maybe the pool is also a draw.  Seriously, its the coolest pool in AZ.  

I'm done!  After a week of farewell parties and a humorous cake picture sent on (thanks a lot, see below), my time in Scottsdale is done.  I've had months to prepare for my exit, yet I care for these agents I've coached and supported and the community I've embraced.  I'm in leadership and KW focuses on the development of leaders - so I get to teach and demonstrate leadership.  I LOVE what I do and now I have a bigger platform in LA with huge opportunity.  It's a massive next step.  We are thrilled.  And we found a home we absolutely love (online) last night, so now need to make sure we love it in real time, which I believe we will.  Fingers crossed.  Trying to find that home that you can raise your family in and matches the environment you want for your kids is tough.  This one "feels" amazing.  Love the location and everything.

Hilarious Cake...

The real cake.

There's always a down side to moving.  Westy and Presto are buds. We hate to say goodbye to this one.