UEA in The City by the Bay

We had a great trip to see my sisters who now both live in the Bay area. First of all, it was the sweetest and most darling reunion of the cousins when they first saw each other outside the Oakland airport. Even Molly was so thrilled to see her long lost cousins. The first two days we spent in Berkeley and spent much of that time in San Francisco which is about 15 minutes away from Berkeley. Of course I loved our time in San Fran, it has always been one of my most favorite cities and I loved taking my kids to Fisherman's Wharf and the San Francisco Zoo, which is right along the ocean (so pretty!). We went to Golden Gate Park and went to this amazing Science museum/aquarium. I also just loved driving around that city seeing all the colorful homes and curving hilly streets. We went to Tartine , this amazing pastry cafe. The chocolate croissants were to die for. So yummy! It was also really fun to see Berkeley. It didn't feel like California at all. It felt much more like the Northwest. Big, Big leafy trees, almost foresty. Darling little old homes and this amazing park where the kids could slide down this huge alpine slide like hill on cardboard boxes. It was one of the big highlights. I thought Berkeley was so cool and unique. Molly, Ali and I went running one morning around the town of Berkley with all the shops and restaurants. They have a law in Berkeley where you can't own a store of any sort that there are more than two... ...no chains. I love that. It really made for such a cool place, very eclectic and mom and pop. I guess they did make an exception with Starbucks, but you know what the heck. The homes were hodge podge , but cute. You know a place where Ryan would love to live and write and be introverted. I am sure there is lots of those weirdos there. Totally kidding. It was so fun to see where they live, and see their little life. There is just nothing better than a new adventure for a little family.

We then headed to Mountain View where my other sister lives, a place I have visited many times. I love it. It is one of those places you just love to visit. Good food, easy to get around, very pretty, old winding tree covered California roads. I love the little houses too. Cute little Rambler houses from the fifties, but for some reason it just looks so picturesque. I mean what is better than California in the 50s?

Paper Doll Party!

We had a paper doll birthday party for Lucy this year. It was so fun for Lucy to have her little friends over, and have such a girly fun party. She eats that stuff up. We love Lucy so much.

Texas

I took a trip with some good friends down to Texas several weeks ago. The reason for the trip was the BYU-Oklahoma game, a reason that paid off HUGE at the time, but whose significance has since been diminished. I should have put this post up that week, because now it's sort of lame. Still, in the spirit of recording the great times, and sharing my awesome photos with the other trip-takers, here's a little post.

Upon arriving in Texas Thursday evening, we found, to unanimous surprise, that we had quite a bit more time on our hands than we had first realized. Friday morning we headed out to the paintball park, turned out in all sorts of interesting outfits for a bunch of thirty-something professionals.







Little known fact: There is nothing on this earth you can do that is more fun than shooting your friends with small pellets filled with orange paint. You cannot have more fun than this. Don't argue with me.

After the paintball, we headed back for the hotel, where basketball was played (half-heartedly) and several hours were spent in the pool swapping stories (mostly about Norm) and showing bruises (some of them a little bit unmentionable).

Then, at Jens's behest, we headed to Dealey Plaza, mostly because that's the only place of any significant at all in Dallas. Did you know that that's where President Kennedy was killed? And that there's an X in the middle of the road where he was shot? And that you can stand on the X and pose for a photo? And that many people do this, smiling, in the middle of the road, on the spot where President Kennedy was killed, in Dallas, Texas? And that nearby is the spot where the first house in Dallas was built? I learned a lot this trip.



Next day some genius had the idea to go to Six Flags and ride some rides. We lasted an hour and a half. The only highlight was what happened to Norm's face when the big launcher ride suddenly jolted from up to down.




And then, the game. I won't try and explain it. It was among the biggest highs I've ever had. Just an amazing night.













All told, this was a fantastic trip. One of those times where you have so much fun that it takes weeks to be able to buckle down and focus at work. Great times. I'm not sure we'll be able to match that one again, but we'll try.