2012 ---> 2013

Last post of the year and this year has been full of ups & downs. We lost 2 family members which was a gutwrenching time but we have loving memories to keep us going. Lots of senseless violence in the world lately which reminds us to hug our loved ones and not let the little annoyances get in our way of family and friendship.

My youngest boy Josh turned 10 and for the last few years has always wanted to stay overnight at the Westin Bonventure hotel in Los Angeles. You can click HERE for the official website. I had to use the overnight stay as incentive for Josh in school but the rates are usually expensive and the timing is always wrong. I think Josh reminded us of the promise and we planned it to coincide with Josh's 10th birthday. The kids are off of school and to be honest, it's difficult to plan birthdays around this time of year. Everyone is focused on Christmas and yes, we have moved his party ot February or June, it's just not the same for him. So everything was going as planned.

I even gave each boy their very own carry on 20 inch suitcase for Christmas saying we will have a chance to use them very soon!! With a couple of hints, Josh guessed our destination was the Bonaventure and his face lit up! He exclaimed, "Tomorrow can't get here fast enough!"

We planned on taking the Metro to downtown LA since the hotel charges $40 a day for parking and we can better use that money for food so my friend Kat tagged along with us the first day. We would take our car to the station, head to LA via Metro, have dinner then Kat would come back and take our car to her place. 

Ready to start our adventure.

Construction going on Pershing Square station.

Kat & I got distracted by the pretty Biltmore Hotel.

Soon the Bonaventure came into view.

Joshua was very funny this year; he wanted to tell everyone that today was his birthday. He even hung out at the registration desk to tell the man that it was his birthday! It was very cute.

As you can see the hotel is clover shaped so it makes for some interesting room configurations which means the rooms are small. :) Stunning views though. Joshua stated that it was his lifelong dream to stay at the Bonaventure. Well, that dream came true! :)

The beds are really comfy and they're called Heavenly beds.

Our room was on the 19th floor and had a nice view of the Central Library.
 

The Central Library is the smaller building in front.

Here Tyler enjoys the view.

Happy Birthday Josh!

For dinner we headed to LA Live by Staples Center and braved the blustery cold winds. Brr, it was chilly. The Clippers had a game that night so we were lucky to get a table and even then we had to wait 45 minutes. Hector got off work and met us here for some 1/2 priced appetizers and drinks. Josh got a brithday chocolate lava cake with vanilla ice cream. LUCKY! For whatever reason, he only ate the ice cream and didn't want the lava cake so Kat & I enjoyed that part. :)

After dinner, we went back to the hotel so Hector could see our room. Kat & Hector headed back home while the kids and I went to the 34th floor lounge for Josh's 2nd dessert. The great part about this is the revolving lounge. It takes 1 hour and 45 minutes for the entire rotation and we made it about halfway around. Very cool and the kids loved it. Extra points for serving Chex mix that Tyler devoured.



We enjoyed our nights sleep and the beds were super comfy or I was really tired. :)



We headed to Union Station for some French dipped beef sandwiches at Phillipes (Tyler's request) and then made our way to Hollywood & Highland. Way too crowded and the kids aren't really into the Hollywood thing.

We went back downtown and rode Angels Flight.

only 50 cents

Overall, it was a very nice stay. We got to see a few more things we hadn't seen before like Angels Flight and the Bradbury building and most of all, stay at the Bonaventure. I know Joshua will always remember his 10th birthday for the rest of his life.

On that note: HAPPY NEW YEAR!! :)