Santa Barbara: Solvang and the beach.

At the beginning of August, Dill, Bubby, Smush and I took a grand road trip to the beautiful city of Santa Barbara, California, otherwise known as "heaven on Earth." We have gone there on several occasions since we met. I've told Dill if we ever have enough money to live there, we're going. Even if it means we have to pitch a tent.

Anyway, the trip was really a family reunion of sorts. We gathered to celebrate the 80th birthday of Dill's wonderful Nana (she doesn't look a day over 60 and I have the pictures to prove it!). Every single one of Dill's siblings was able to come and we had a great time.

On our first day there, we took a short trip through the mountains to a Danish village called Solvang. I worried it might be a tourist trap, and it was -- but it was an AWESOME tourist trap which I highly recommend everyone visit. Solvang is sunny, cheery, and feels like Disneyland, minus all the overpriced merchandise and endless lines of people.

Dill and Bubby, enjoying Solvang. Check out the windmill in the background. Totally legit.

The shops in Solvang were so cute. If you like novelty toy stores, bakeries and bookstores, Solvang is for you.

We had two missions to accomplish in Solvang. First mission: ebelskivers. Ebelskivers are a breakfast food, basically round doughnuts covered in jelly and powdered sugar. They are delicious and highly fattening. Perfect vacation treat.

Mission: accomplished.

Bubsy hearts ebelskivers now.

We found a little restaurant that only charged $3.99 for a plate of three. So, we each ordered a plate and scarfed 'em right down. And we didn't care that it was practically lunchtime. Who says you can't eat ebelskivers whenever you want? Tyrants, probably.

Smush and me at the cute restaurant.

Second mission: miniature horses. I had found a Web site about Solvang prior to our trip, and lots of people gushed about the Quicksilver Miniature Horse Ranch. Well, I like animals, and I especially like animals who happen to be smaller than normal, so I said, "We're going!"

Mission #2: accomplished!

Squeeeee!

Sometimes, they even walk the little guys around outside of their pens and you get to pet them. Double-squeee!

Solvang was so much fun, I decided then and there we would never take a trip back to Santa Barbara without including it in our plans.

Later that day, we headed to the beach for our niece's 7th birthday party. It was cold, windy and not very beach-like. But, we had a good time, anyway. Somehow, being surrounded by family makes everything better.

Two freezing guys.


Bubs and me.

Next time, I'll tell you all about the Fiesta Celebration and Nana's birthday.