San Fran Here We Come!!!

We spent last weekend in San Francisco as a final (and very sad) farewell to summer (insert crying and screaming here!). Chris had always wanted to go to the Farmer’s Market on the pier and I had always wanted to walk across the Golden Gate Bridge and go to Sausalito, so we got into the car and made it happen!

Our first stop was the Farmer’s Market at the Ferry Plaza. Wow – we were not prepared for the sheer magnitude of vendors there. If there is a fruit, vegetable, protein or any other item you want and/or need and can’t find it there, I would say it doesn’t exist!! It was so amazing and the energy there was so wonderful I wish we could go every weekend!

While there I waited in line for 20 minutes (yes, that is right, no typo there!) for coffee from Blue Bottle Coffee Co. It was delicious and worth the wait and all part of the experience of the weekend! I can salivate still just thinking about it!

Before we left the mecca called the Farmer's Market, we ate at Gott's Roadside where you can get an amazing hamburger (or chicken tenders for my kids!) and I do mean AMAZING!!

After we were stuffed, we drove then waddled the rest of the way to the marina (my favorite part of the whole city) and Baker Beach. I find this to be one of the most amazing beaches I have ever been to because when you are there, the Golden Gate Bridge is in the background - so cool! The girls had a ball playing in the sand and the waves.

My favorite picture from the trip, I love to see my girls together. If I could have captions above this it would be Grace saying "Stick by my side Emma, and we can conquer anything together!"

After a fun night at the hotel complete with swimming, we headed out the next morning to walk across the Golden Gate Bridge. Since I had nightmares all night about the kids on the bridge, they were NOT allowed out of the stroller, I was terrified of Emma taking a header off of it, I appreciate how curious she is, just not that high up in the air!

 

Anyways, the bridge is amazing and such a beautiful landmark in our great country. We had a fun time, the weather cooperated (no small accomplishment in San Fran in the morning!) and everyone stayed seated in the stroller!

After the bridge we headed out of the city and into Sausalito. I have always wanted to visit and see what it was all about. It is a beautiful little seaside town with great views of the city and a beautiful marina area. There were lots of cute little shops and restaurants that we hope to go back and explore some day with no kids!!

All in all a great weekend spent in one of our favorite cities and we were sad to have to leave, but we will be back soon - we can't stay away for long!

By faith we understand that the universe was formed at God’s command, so that what is seen was not made out of what was visible.

- Hebrews 11:3

Father/Daughter Camping Trip

Chris and Grace went on a camping trip together last night to this exotic place called - Our Backyard! Grace loves going "camping" and gets so excited she can't contain herself.

So I sent the campers out to their tent armed with flashlights, water, a cell phone (for emergencies, they were a good 4 feet from the house!!) and a couple of books - both about daddy's. They spent a good amount of time playing with the flashlights and Grace was frantically searching for a shooting star - she didn't spot one but she isn't giving up!

Chris said that Grace requested a lot of stories, so he made up several fairy tales for her. It seems like such a simple night, but I am so glad they have these memories together to cherish. I know that it won't be long until we look back on nights like last night and the pure simple pleasures of camping out in the backyard and wonder where the time has gone.

The next hurdle is camping with Emma . . .

Fathers, do not exasperate your children; instead, bring them up in the training and instruction of the Lord.
- Ephesians 6:4

Birthdays, Graduations, Vacations and Family, oh my!

Ah, the blessed return of the laziest blogger around - I'm back!!

So much has happened since my last blog in April. Grace turned 5, Emma turned 3, Grace graduated from Nursery School, both sets of parents visited (at different times!!), we took a vacation to Lake Tahoe and so much more. I will try and hit some highlights and make a real effort to post more often, no really, I am going to do it.


We took a mini-vacation to Lake Tahoe. I have always wanted to visit so we decided since we live so close now, we should go and see what all the fuss is about - wow, we were blown away by the beauty of it. What a gorgeous slice of America. The weather was perfect and we enjoyed lots of time in the salt water pool at the hotel, played in the sand at the beach, rode the gondola up to the top of Heavenly Ski Resort where there was tons of snow still and overall we had a great, relaxing, fun family time.



We were so lucky to have both sets of our parents visit us. My parents visited for a couple of weeks in May. They were here for the conclusion of Grace's nursery school including the end-of-year festivities and graduation and we took a trip to Napa Valley.

The girls had a great time with them and loved all of the attention. They played lots of games and read lots of books and overall just soaked up the time they had together. We were sad to see them go, it never feels as if the visits last long enough, but we were so glad that they were able to visit us!


Then at the end of June my in-laws the Pooler's came to town for a visit. We had such a great time with them. I feel very lucky to have in-laws that I genuinely enjoy spending time with and I always feel like I can learn so much from them from being a good Christian, a good parent and an overall good person.

While they were here we spent a lot of time at home playing and reading and learning but we also took them to the Farmer's Market, Muir Woods and Napa Valley. We were so sad when they left and now we have no family visitors to look forward to :(

We have had a wonderful and busy last few months. I am making a vow before you all that I am going to blog more often.

Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.
- 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18