4th of July Celebration - Events around LA and Orange County

Photo by: Tasja

Summer is here, school is out, and the 4th of July is right around the corner! We can't wait to get some good family time at the beach and pool to cool off on these hot summer days. There are a lot of inexpensive or free Independence Day celebrations going on all around us! If you are looking for somewhere to celebrate the 4th with your family and friends this year, check out some of the celebrations going on around Los Angeles County and Orange County area. Maybe we'll see you there!

Photo By: Grand Park Facebook Page

1. Grand Park Block Party

When: July 4 at 2pm-9:30pm

Where: Downtown, Grand Park, Grand Ave. and Hill St., Los Angeles, Ca

Cost: Free

Visit website for more info

Photo by: Huntington Beach 4th of July Celebration Facebook Page

2. Huntington Beach 4th of July Celebration

When: July 4 at Various times

Where: 325 Pacific Coast Highway, Huntington Beach, Ca

Cost: Free-$20

Visit website for more info

3. Marina Del Rey Fireworks

When: July 4 at 9 p.m.

Where: Marina Del Rey, 13650 Mindanao Way, Marina Del Rey, Ca

Cost: Free

Visit website for more info

4. Old Glory Boat Parade

When: July 4 at 1-3:30 p.m.

Where: American Legion Yacht Club, 215 East 15th St., Newport Beach, Ca

Cost: Free

Visit website for more info

Photo by: Great American 4th of July Kids Bike Parade Facebook Page

5. Kids’ Bike Parade

When: July 4 at 10 a.m.

Where: Belmont Shores, 1 S. Granada Ave., Long Beach, Ca

Cost: Free

There will also be a 5k run/walk($20 entry fee) at 8:30 and a kids 1/2-mile run($10 entry fee) at 9:15 a.m. before the Bike Parade.

Visit website for more info

Photo by: Redondo Beach 4th of July Fireworks Facebook Page

6. Seaside Lagoon-Redondo Beach 4th of July Celebration & Fireworks

When: July 4 at 2pm-9:30pm

Where: Seaside Lagoon, 200 Portofino Way, Redondo Beach, Ca

Cost: $12-$20

Visit website for more info

Photo by: Valley Cultural Center's website

7. July 4th Extravaganza Concert(Beach Boy David Marks with the Surf City Allstars) & Fireworks

When: July 4 at 6pm-9:30pm

Where: Warner Center Park, 5800 Topanga Canyon Blvd., Woodland Hills, Ca

Cost: Free

Visit website for more info

Whatever your plans may be for Independence Day, we wish everyone a happy and safe 4th of July. Enjoy your family and celebrating the independence of our nation.

Our Family's 90th Birthday Celebration // The Reef Restaurant in Long Beach

A few months ago we celebrated my grandmother's 90th Birthday.  Such a wonderful milestone to be able to share with her.  With the amazing planning of our family members, her celebration turned out awesome!  It was such a blessing to see the smile it brought my grandmother's face as she was greeted by everyone there to celebrate her.  Friends & family came from all over, just to attend her celebration.  It was amazing! The best part of it was to see and hear all the heart-felt ways my grandmother touched each and every person in that room in one way or another.

Nanay, meaning Mother in Tagalog.  This is the name we have always had for her growing up. Fitting perfectly as any awesome grandmother would, as she was truly my second mom.   I am grateful to have so many great moments to remember with Nanay.  As a child, I remember sitting down and watching Price is Right in the morning, followed by the slotted hours of soap opera's from channel 2 to channel 7 daily.  I remember in the mornings as a little girl, as most children had the cool cereal's you saw on TV commercials, I had toast with butter and dipped it in coffee. (It was more like milk with a taste of coffee, but at 5 years old, it was amazing!) I didn't complain, as it was what the adults had too.  Nanay taught me to use a sewing machine, how to make lumpia, how to count in tagalog and how to play mahjong.  Memories of going with her to the race track, eating nacho's together & her laughing at me as I practiced my attempts at speaking tagalog fluently.  I remember her telling me how mean I sounded as I tried to translate english sentences literally and without proper use of words to show respect.  Other memories weren't so glamorous, but none the less still beautiful memories.  Like the moments of going with her and my grandfather, Coco, as he visited the hospital, remembering the last time we visited his doctor's office to find out that there was nothing more they could do with his cancer.  Seeing how strong Nanay had been through this process, I don't get to tell her often enough, how proud I am and how much I admire her strength during that time.  

Fast forward to more recent years... Nanay helped raise and care for my children as she did me, and is especially close to Jade.  I am thankful that my children have had the opportunity to meet, spend time with & get to make their own memories with Nanay.  After all, it's a true gift to be able to meet your great-grandparent(s). Nanay has & will always be a great part of our lives and I look forward to making more memories and continuing to celebrate together.  

Dearest Nanay,

I love you for all that you have taught me and shared with me.  I thank you for all that you have taught me, shared with me and helped me with.  Along with my family, you and Coco have in one way or another made me the person who I am today.  I have had the blessing of being beside you during some of the greatest times, and some of the worst, either way, like you have always done for me, I will always be there beside you.  

I see the way you care for Jade as you used to do for me.  I thank you for that, as I know that Jade & Jarron are super lucky to have you as part of their childhood.  I hope that I have become at least half the person you have always hoped I would be.  I hope you had an amazing celebration to celebrate your 90th birthday party.  Here's to many more fun times at the casino.  

With love always,

Gina

Oh Very Young's Mommy Happy Hour Event // Bixby Knolls, California

Chris and I had the opportunity to be part of such a fun event in Bixby Knoll's a couple of weeks back.  If you like us on Facebook, you had probably seen some of the fun we had at Oh Very Young's July Mommy Happy Hour Event.  Shopping, popcorn, drinks, goodies, and face painting.  Definitely fun for the whole family!  We had a wonderful time, Jade and Jarron truly had a blast! 

If you haven't had the chance to check out Oh Very Young's shop, we hope you do soon.  Oh Very Young has such a wonderful, friendly staff & not only offer pre-loved items, but also have handmade goods for your little ones as well.    

Oh Very Young // 4378 Atlantic Ave, Bixby Knolls, Ca. 90807

Face Painting by Edelia // Funny Faces 4 U

Photography // Gina Holt Photography