We were able to go up to my parent's for 10 days. This post is going to be a snapshot of each day that we spent there. Most of our activities were done with cousins as well. Almost everyday we went in the spa at some point. Scotty warmed up to the water very fast and loved getting in. Scotty and Sydnie were so proud on themselves that they could stand in the middle and walk across to the other side. Sydnie loved jumping in and Scotty loved getting his face wet. He would make himself go limp on purpose so he would sink down and go under. Needless to say, Scott or I had to get in with them to help. I did let them go in alone when there were no other cousins to make it a crazy place and they enjoyed that. My mom and I were both there on the stairs close by though.
Friday 3rd - We took BART into SF and then jumped on the cable car to Fisherman's Warf. We ate lunch there and then bought some chocolate at Ghirardelli Square and then took the Cable Car back to BART and came home. My dad was able to take off early afternoon and come with us! We had so much fun!
Saturday, July 4th - At 9am we went to my brother's ward building for a breakfast and bike parade with the kids....well, we were supposed to be there at 9am. We were late and missed the best part. My nephew just got his Webelo and he was in the flag ceremony. I am so bummed that we missed it but we got the last of the speaker and were reminded of this great country and the freedoms that we have the price that was and is being paid to have that freedom and keep it. (we weren't super late but the program wasn't that long) (can you tell that I was upset that we were late?) After the kids decorated their bikes/scooters and rode around the parking lot. It was very chilly and windy but they all had a blast. After this we went to ride the mini steam trains at Tilden Park. Then we came back and wen to a carnival type activity at Memorial Park in Albany. It was really great for the kids to do lots of different activities. Shelbie went on a pony ride, rode HUGE tricycles with me, did the rock wall, two jump houses, and saw a little bit of the dog show. After that we went home and my cousin came up with her baby and we got to visit and hang out. That evening we went up around the hill and watched the fireworks from the empty lot (the lot down the street from us has been empty for as long as we have lived there and every year we would go up there to watch the fireworks. Sometimes it would be too foggy and so we would just see colored clouds). We were lucky this year to have it be clear enough skies to see the fireworks shows from Berkeley Pier and two shows from SF (I think Pier 39, & Fisherman's Warf). It was so windy and cold but the kids enjoyed it. The only reason why we got a picture of us sitting on the hill is because my camera (in it's case) rolled down the hill and I sent Scott to go and get it.
Sunday - This day is why we came up to visit. My older brother, Scott, blessed their fourth child in church. Daniel is such a cutie. It was so fun to see him again and this time he was smiling and being so cute! After church we went to their house for a BBQ and games and playing out in the backyard and hanging out. It was so fun! Nathan and I were on the same team for Clue and we were about to solve it but Jared had his turn before us and he solved it just before we could. Oh well, maybe next time. :-) I also had to take my Scott to the airport so he could come home and go to work while we stayed and played for the week.
Monday - My dad took off work again in the early afternoon and we drove up to the Jelly Belly Factory. We got there just in time for the tour and enjoyed seeing the factory in motion. We got a free sample and of course bought souvenirs. (YUM!) After we had a little snack (because the cafe that we wanted to get our lunch at was closed after our tour so we had to settle on a soft pretzel) we headed a little bit more north to the new Veteran's cemetery where my grandpa is buried. I can't remember what it is called but it is a very nice place. It is brand new and they are still constructing most of it. There are a few lawn areas that are pretty full already. When it is finished it will have a nice lake with fountain and benches. It will be a very peaceful setting. I love my grandpa and I'm very proud of him and his service to his country.
Tuesday - I hung out at the house and my s-i-l took Shelbie with her and her boys on morning errands, I gave the twins their nap and then just messed around. In the afternoon I met my good friend Ryan and her sister for dinner. It is always nice to get together with her and her sister. Erin's little boy is adorable and my kids enjoyed being with him as well. After dinner we jumped on over to the pizza joint where my dad's banjo club meets every Tuesday evening. THe kids LOVE when my dad plays for them and they got a kick out of the whole group playing. They dance along and eat dessert and dance some more. A nice lady from the group gave Shelbie an extra washboard to play. She loved that! She played along and kept beat from the back for a good 15 minutes. Then, of course, Sydnie had to take a turn. :-) We got home pretty late and the kids had fallen asleep in the car, which is always nice.
Wednesday - My dad and brother, Scott were both able to take the day off and all of us headed out to the water slide park in Antioch that is basically made for kids 12 and under. Scott, Beth and their 4 kids, Erika and her two boys (my bro Spencer had to work) and me, my dad and my 3 kids all had a blast in the water. Sydnie is fearless!! We kept a lifejacket on her most of the time. She stood at the edge of the pool (right above the stairs), put both arms out the side and leaned forward like she was going to do a belly-flop with a stiff-as-a-board body. My dad caught her just in time before she could smash her face in on the stair. She is so crazy! (there will be a post about just her and her "activities" during our trip).
Thursday - My mom and dad got the day off today so we all went to Lake Anza in Tilden Park. (All = all cousins with mom's cause dad's (my bros) couldn't get off work). It was very nice weather and the water wasn't that cold. The sand is trucked in so it is playground sand and is not fine like beach sand. It is so nice not getting it caught in everything, it just gets dusted off so easily. We buried Sydnie's, Alex's, & Scotty's legs in the sand. Shelbie swam most of the time in the shallow end and played with cousins on floatys etc. Fun times! After we got home from swimming we went in the spa. The kids couldn't get enough of the spa.
Friday - My cousin, Christi and her baby had the day off so they came up to play with us. We met at Fenton's for lunch with "All" and my dad. Fenton's is a super yummy creamery in Oakland. We drove up to Tilden and went to the Little Farm and walked to Jewel lake and enjoyed being outside and each others company. We headed home and had dinner together. We put all the kids to bed and finally played cards. We had such a busy and tiring week that I hadn't been able to play cards with my parents. I love to play games, espeically card games and so with Christi my mom and dad we were able to play "May I". We finished the game early cause it was getting pretty late (11pm-is) and we didn't want Christi to fall asleep driving home.
Saturday - Alameda County Fair day. We picked up my Scott from the airport and headed to the Bob Drone Harley Davidson shop in Oakland. They were having a fundraiser day to raise money for the families of the 4 fallen Oakland Police Officers (one of whom was a friend). We had to drop off some bakesd goods for the bake sale booth. They had an obsticle course set up and they had motorcycle cops race through the course to see who could get through it the fastest. There was a policeman from Mission Viejo up there competing. I cheered for him! We didn't stay for the real races because we had to leave for the fair but we watched a lot of the participants do their time trials. We spent the rest of the day at the fair. Watched pig races, participated in kids show, saw model railroad trains, rode some rides, saw a clown act, ate corn dogs and ice cream, walked around a lot and left. We went to dinner together at Sweet Tomatoes (Souplantation for those of us who live in So Cal) since that is cheaper, healthier and cooler).
Sunday - Sadly, our trip is over and we have to drive back home. We packed up and left about 9am. We got home about 3 -ish...can't remember. What I do remember was that when we arrived at our humble abode it was extremely hot and it hasn't cooled down yet!!
WE LOVE & MISS OUR NORTHERN CALIFORNIA COUSINS!!! WE HAD SUCH A FUN TIME PLAYING WITH EVERYONE! THANK YOU FOR MAKING IT A GREAT VACATION FOR US.
1 comment:
What an awesome time! The picture of the kids around your grandpa's gravestone is so beautiful. Perfect photo!
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