LA + The Wizarding World of Harry Potter

The Wizarding World of Harry Potter

This recent trip to LA was exactly what I needed! First, I met up with one of my closest friends, Jackie. Since I arrived somewhat late, we just drove straight to our hotel from LAX to indulge in some room service and some much-needed catching up. Plus we both needed a good night's rest because the next day we went to... the opening day of Harry Potter World! Everyone kept telling us it was a crazy time to go (which was openly acknowledged!) but it was absolutely worth it to step into Hogsmeade and Hogwarts. It was like the books and my imagination come to life! I rarely ever go to amusements parks just for me and it was fun to be a big kid for a day. To buy a wand from Ollivander's, candy from Honeydukes and ride the Forbidden Journey (even though I had to close my eyes for half of it!). 

Here are the pictures from Harry Potter:

Reunited and it feels so good! / In front of the Hogwarts Expresses, repping our different houses

We immediately grabbed butterbeers which we LOVED / View of Three Broomsticks

Chocolate Frog display at Honeydukes / Making our way to Hogwarts!

Enchanted portraits / Hogwarts or Hogsmeade? I choose both!

In front of Hogwarts / The first of many gift shops we checked out

Ollivander's! (I got my Hermione wand!) / Sunday Roast at Three Broomsticks

Family time in LA

The main reason why I try to visit LA every year is to see my cousin, Rhia. (And of course her two adorable kids, husband and her mom and dad – my aunt and uncle – too.) Sometimes it kind of amazes me that even though we've lived on opposite sides of the country our entire lives, we've managed to stay really close despite few visits in between and us both being terrible at remembering to text. So when I got over my fear of flying, it was because I wanted to make a point to visit her and I'm trying not to be overly mushy at the moment but I'm so happy I did. I love that we can pick up as if we saw each other yesterday and how we can talk about anything. As an only child (she is as well), I've always looked at her as being like my older sister and this recent visit made me realize just how much I miss her. I was definitely a bit weepy heading on the plane to go back home. Plus my niece and nephew are super cute. I'm missing them all so much already.

Here are the pictures from the rest of my trip:

My niece (and the rest of us) ready to go to the Aquarium of the Pacific.

I'm rather proud of this jellyfish shot / Nephew hugging the penguins

Nephew happily petting the sharks (while I stood by nervously!) / selfie with this cutie as I cuddled with her for hours in front of the TV

Ready for our next day of fun in LA! Starting with Porto's and cheese rolls.

View from Griffith Park before we headed into the Observatory

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So that was my trip! Lots of fun and way too short. 

Until next year, LA!