San Francisco

Oh, vacation. How I love vacation!

Brad and I returned this past Wednesday from a long weekend away in the great city of San Francisco. For whatever reason, I had always wanted to visit the city by the bay. Cable cars, the Golden Gate Bridge, Rice-a-Roni...really, what could be better?? And Brad was thoughtful enough to give me this vacation for my 30th birthday (although I quickly realized that by giving me a vacation, he was also giving himself one!). It was really great to get away for awhile, have some time to ourselves, and relax. I guess it goes to show that sleep was on the itinerary as I was snuggled in bed by 8:00 every night! The weather was beautiful (sunny and low 60's the entire time we were there) and the sight-seeing was great.

And I did learn three very important things while we were away:
1) My belief has been reaffirmed that I belong in the Midwest.
2) Public transportation is not for the weak.
3) It is possible to miss my boys more than I could have imagined. They divided their time between their grandparents, and I hope to post pictures of their adventures some time soon, as well.

I've posted A LOT of photos, so if you're interested in seeing what we saw, take a peek.

One view of the bay from Pier 39.

A couple of Nemos flitting about at the Aquarium by the Bay.

Pier 39 (lots of shopping, eating, and fun).

Greg Frisbee performing on the Pier (if you can't tell, he's swallowing fire).

Pier 39's famous sea lions.

A military ship from World War II.

There was this incredibly cool arcade, full of antique games that used to be on the Pier. Brad ended up winning this match.

Our hotel was one block away from The Embarcadero, which is the street that lines the Fisherman's Wharf, Pier 39, and all things tourist-y.

Diver Dave educating us about coral reef at the California Academy of Sciences.

The Exploratorium was like a giant exhibit of science fair projects. Brad and I as seen through a heat lens camera.

The infinity mirror.

The Palace of Fine Arts (which houses the Exploratorium).

Me and a column.

Another view of the Palace of Fine Arts.

Brad on a cable car!

Me on a cable car!

At the Yerba Buena Gardens.

We met up with a friend of Brad's at the Raiders/Chiefs football game on Sunday. It was a pretty good game, considering the teams that were playing...

...and I definitely cheered for the Raiders. Their fans are scary. I didn't want to know what they'd do to me if I cheered for the Chiefs!

...continued

Note my expression. This is at the base of Telegraph Hill, which is the home to Coit Tower. This would come to be known as Public Transportation Snafu #3. We were looking for bus 39 to take us to the top. Needless to say, that bus wasn't found until it was time to come back down. So we walked, hiked, huffed, and puffed to the top, which actually wouldn't have been so bad had we not already circled around the tower by about 20 city blocks! At this point, I was pretty, um, how do you say, upset?!?!

The inside of Coit Tower was covered in beautiful murals.

Thankfully the stairs were closed, so we had to take the elevator to the top! :)

I guess I had perked up by the time we reached the top of the tower.

A view of the city from the top of the tower (we have several other photos as you can get a beautiful 360 degree view of the city).

The bottom of Lombard Street, the crookedest street in the world.

One of the houses on Lombard Street (there was even one for sale...I wonder how much??).

Lombard Street was lined with these beautiful hydrangeas. In November!

Finally getting to hang on the outside of a cable car!

We passed this cable car, packed full with the University of California's pep band.

Yet another way to travel through the city - historic street cars.

The Golden Gate Bridge...

...again...

...and again. We took a boat tour that traveled out underneath the bridge and around Alcatraz.

Alcatraz.

The other side of Alcatraz.

A view of the guards' quarters at Alcatraz.

Pier 39 getting ready for Christmas.

If you need one single reason to visit San Francisco, it is this city block of chocolate heaven!

I had never spent $8 before for an ice cream sundae, but with Ghiradelli chocolate, it was good to the very last lick (and worth every penny)!

Chocolate in the making.

California palm trees.

Home of the San Francisco Giants.

Getting as close as he possibly can without getting arrested.

Where the homeruns go.

The Bay Bridge, connecting San Francisco with Oakland.

Enjoying his In-n-Out Burger.

Eight Months Old

Really? Really?!?

I know I say that every month, but wow. Really, how does time fly by so fast? Although apparently not fast enough...someone asked Brad today how old Reed is, and it took him awhile to answer because he thought "Doesn't he have to be 10/12 months old by now?!"

It's been a long eight month journey with our little big Monkey, but when memories of his "birth"day are still so fresh and real, it seems like it's gone by in a flash.

Milestones this month:

Pushes himself up from laying on his belly to sitting on his bum
First Halloween
Daddy's first night alone with both boys

So big!

Drew went through a short phase where he had to sleep with every stuffed creature in his room. He only has a toddler bed, mind you, and at one point, he had Teddy, Pooh, Cubby, Bert, Ernie, Bob, Larry...and Luci.

At the Des Moines Race for the Cure, with Great Aunt B, Papa, and Grammy.

You'll notice Reed snug as a bug in the back of the stroller. I kept wondering when it was my turn in the stroller!

Bonding with Handy Manny.

Melt.My.Heart.

What happens when the Tickle Monster goes a little crazy, and grows extra appendages!

Reading to Dad.

"That meal was so good I spewed it out, all over myself!" (That's pretty much our every day!)

Yep. That tired.

Eat your heart out!

Tumbling tot.
(Me: "Please don't break your neck, please don't break your neck...")

Yep, I know. Pretty dang cute.

Waiting for Daddy to come home for lunch.

Another one of those things I thought Drew would l-o-v-e. Um, not so much. Not like I thought, anyway. No running through the leaves. No jumping in the leaves. Just kicking the leaves. Ho hum.

Enjoying what will probably be the last nice day of the year.