Saturday, my company was lucky enough to snag tickets to Elton John’s debut concert at the Colosseum at Caesars Palace in Las Vegas. Like many greats before him (think Celine Deon, people) Elton, from this moment forward, will call Caesar’s his new performing home. Although never a huge Elton Fan, I think everyone can agree that this concert is a bucket-list type of concert. Twenty years from now, I’ll be able to tell my kids that I’ve seen Sir Elton John live…and they will roll their eyes and care less just as I cared less when my mom talked wide-eyed of Janis Joplin. Like me, my kids will learn and someday appreciate.

Granted, I don’t know all of Elton’s songs, and I’m not going to pretend as though I do, but luckily his set list was one that I, and even Kevin, could move along to:

1. The Bitch Is Back 
2. Bennie and the Jets 
3. Rocket Man
4. Levon 
5. Tiny Dancer 
6. Your Song 
7. Mona Lisas and Mad Hatters 
8. Better Off Dead 
9. Indian Sunset 
10. Blue Eyes 
11. Goodbye Yellow Brick Road 
12. I Guess That’s Why They Call It the Blues 
13. Philadelphia Freedom 
14. Don’t Let the Sun Go Down on Me 
15. Hey Ahab 
16. I’m Still Standing 
17. Crocodile Rock 
18. Saturday Night’s Alright for Fighting 

And for the Encore (drum roll….) 19. Circle of Life. Kevin whispered to me about half-way through the song that he wasn’t sure if he recognized it to which I responded, “What?! You’ve never seen the Lion King?!” I bet you can guess what we did when we got home on Sunday…

I’ve never been in the Vega’s Colosseum before (Rome’s, yes) but I can easily say that this quickly became my favorite venue. The décor and architecture is gorgeous and it’s really quite intimate, not like the gigantic, crowded, a monster-truck-rally-was-featured-the-night-before, type of auditorium that I am used to. Elton couldn’t quite hit the high notes we were hoping for, but for 67, he could certainly still pull off sequins and Rocketman, and let’s face it, that’s what you’re really in it for.

Now that I’ve been in California now for a little over a year, it was time to invite the parents out. I think they’ve been eager to see what I’ve done with my life (since it has been a dramatic change from the old one) and I, well, have just missed having them around.

They arrived on Wednesday (my dad’s birthday) and we took it easy. I had cooked up a storm the night before (ribs, tri-tip, garlic mashed red skins, asparagus, scratch creamed-corn and my household famous cornbread) and enjoyed it with a few beers and cocktails before bringing out the candle lit red velvet cheesecake—compliments of Cheesecake Factory.

Thursday, they first full day, was booked to the nines with a lot of “firsts” for all of us. Mom and dad finally got a tour of my office (my first real big girl office) and experienced first-hand what the fuss has been about—my view. Ocean, skyscrapers, and my completely stocked snack drawer. Their daughter is a city girl.

The tour was followed by San Diego’s seaport Village (which I find completely adorable) lined with knick-knack shops and eateries. I had my eye on a mint colored Roxy flop hat and I think dad could tell I wasn’t keen on spending the money on it. He snatched it out of my hands, ran it over to the counter and before I knew it, said darling sun hat was all mine. I rocked that Roxy hat the rest of the day—and plan to follow suit all summer (just bought a new bikini at Nordstrom’s to match that little hat, but that’s another story…)

Back to Thursday… My dad’s side of the family has always been Navy so we made sure to see the USS Midway. This carrier is located seconds from my office but this was my first tour as well. I found it very interesting for one major reason—this ship sailed at the same time as my grandfather, Dan Schremser. It was nice to be able to visualize something that was such a big part of his life.

Following the Midway was my favorite part of the vacation—a surprise sailing adventure around the bay. I, like my parents, had never sailed before, and knew it was the perfect San Diego experience for them. We saw seals, dolphins, submarines, an ocean sunset and the bottom of a few too many bud light cans. Sailing was followed by a four course fondue dinner…and more drinks.

We continued the rest of the weekend with more exciting adventures. Mom and dad took a day to themselves and went up to Carlsbad to see the flower fields and an even better view of the ocean. Saturday, dad was finally able to see the John Wayne star, the Hollywood sign and Beverly Hills (and I was able to take a picture with Jennifer Aniston’s star!) We continued eating our way through Sunday with a champagne brunch (Kevin and I showed mom and dad how we do mimosas) and explored the San Diego zoo. Mom and dad surprised me with a stuffed Otter, to which I named Otto who has since taken Kevin’s place as the little spoon in our bed.

The night was topped off with a Kip Moore/Lady Antebellum concert—lovely outdoor venue, sprawled out on rented lawn chairs (Thanks, Kev!) drinking more beer and snuggled in blankets. All in all, a wonderful end to a perfect vacation.

The only part of our trip that wasn’t perfect was the absence of my little brother. We even agreed as a group we couldn’t visit Lego Land without him. BUT, I know there will be a next time—hopefully he’ll get to experience it with my parents next year when they come out!

Spring is in the air and one of my favorite months is well underway. There is just something special about the month of March!  Not only is March my birthday month (the big 29 this year) but who doesn’t enjoy wearing party masks on Fat Tuesday, office bracket wars, welcoming the out-like-a-lamb type weather and drowning one’s liver in Guinness, celebrating the one heritage every American can agree on—thee St. Patrick’s Day.

Not only will this month be full of holiday celebrations, but we’ve managed to somehow jam pack it with other amazing activities as well. Our March, abridged:

• Tool Concert (A very thoughtful Valentine’s Day gift from my love)
• Our first Sailing attempt
• USS Midway Museum
• Hollywood (I’ve been in California for two years and have never actually been there)
• The San Diego Zoo (again, it’s in my backyard and I’ve STILL never been there)
• Las Vegas trip, courtesy of my company
• Elton John Concert (SUPER excited about this one!)
• Lady Antebellum Concert
• Last but not least… My Birthday!

I am also very fortunate that my parents will be joining us, here in San Diego, to help experience many of these adventures. I cannot wait for them to get here and they cannot wait to start soaking up the 70 degree weather—I’m actually fairly confident that’s what they’re really coming out here to see. I’m sure it will be a “Hi, Bye, we’re going to the beach now,” kind of vacation for them. Oh, how the roles have changed…

Stay tuned for upcoming posts and photos, highlighting the sights, laughs and epic fails of our March adventures!

 I’m an Aries, and aside from that meaning that I am bull-headed and gorgeous (and perhaps a smidge arrogant) it also means that I am a procrastinator. So I bring to you (Hi mom!) my blog…a blog I meant to publish five or six years ago.

When I first considered writing a blog, I was, let’s say, youthful. You’ll soon learn that I am an avid cook, so I envisioned starting “twentysomethingkitchen,” a blog for us youngsters that actual know how to use a meat tenderizer and own coriander. Now that I am nearing 30, I didn’t feel that “twentysomethingkitchen” would give me nearly the longevity I’d been hoping for and “Thirtysomethingkitchen,” is, well,  not nearly as catchy. Truth be told, I really don’t want to be the thirty-year-old cougar creating jalapeño poppers for bikini clad bank tellers.

So this brings us to Californ-ia. (Welcome mom!) A blog dedicated to my Midwest up-bringing and my West coast horizons. I am looking forward to burning chicken, failing pinterest projects, wearing socks with sandals and making you look at all of the photos I’m going to post documenting my disasters.

So let’s get started! I hope you enjoy my adventures—I know I’m going to!