California Episode 3 ~ San Francisco Sun and Fun

On our way to San Francisco we stopped off at Muir Woods to see the absolutely MASSIVE redwood trees.  For once I didn't take a gazillion photos, but rather just walked around and enjoyed what an amazing creation the Lord had made!  But, don't worry, there are some pictures :)  I have no idea how many times I said "Wow!" during that two hour period ~ it was certainly a lot!

Once we finished up at the redwood forest, we took Leslie's advice and took the short drive to Stinson Beach.  So beautiful and the warm sand was perfect!  Having never actually stepped into the Pacific Ocean, I had NO IDEA it would be COLD, correction ~ FREEZING!  Thanks for the warning Honey ;)  A heads up would have been nice ~ but then I probably wouldn't have ever walked out there ;)  Guess he played the cards right on that one!

We spent Friday evening at home with Leslie, Brian and the boys.  Surprisingly, the boys warmed up to us quite quickly given I hadn't seen them in a LOOOOOOONG time.  Over the weekend we toured some of San Francisco (minus Brian who left Saturday for a business trip in San Diego), went to a local park and just spent some great quality time with the family.  We had a great time and I feel so very blessed to have been able to bond more with Leslie and the boys.

Hope you enjoy the slideshow and videos!  There's a lot to see ~ apparently I was video camera happy these few days :)  But, hey, when you get bored, just remember we have offered you a tremendous amount of free entertainment!  Love you all :)

Magical Memories

Muir Woods

Stinson Beach

Glorious Golden Gate

(Side Note:  The cute little sweater Sophie is wearing was Aunt Leslie's from when she was a baby!  It fit perfectly and she looked ADORABLE!)

Uncle Kevin Playing with the Boys

Trying to Video while Simultaneously Explaining a Video Camera

(Warning: May cause serious motion sickness!)

Makes You Wanna Jump Jump!

And this wraps up our California vacation.  I'm sure we will be doing it again in a couple of years provided everyone stays put!  As for now, we are loving being home ~ nothing quite like coming home :)  Also, in NO way, do I support the hat Logan is wearing!  GIG 'EM AGGIES!!!

California Episode 2 ~ Clearlake

Our vacation was basically split in half ~ the first half in Clearlake with Chris, Jess, and the kids.  The second half was in San Francisco with Leslie, Brian and the boys...but that's a whole separate post (yes, there is a California Episode 3)!

We arrived Tuesday afternoon and had a couple of hours to relax and unwind from our travels before we headed off to Jess' softball game.  Can you tell from the pictures of my sweet girl that it was all she could do to keep her eyes open?!  It was a fun evening and Jess' team won so all was well in softball land :)

Wednesday we went to Blue Lake for the day.  It was absolutely gorgeous, but the water was FREEZING!  I didn't even get in over my ankles, but the others had a great time :)  I do not do cold water and Rickey doesn't either, so we sat on the beach most of the day.  I, mother bear that I am, originally did not want to take Sophie on a boat at all!  You know, we could capsize or something?!  Yes, I'm certifiably insane :)  But hey, it could happen.  However, since the lake was small and the speed limit is 5mph, I decided not to be a party pooper and go have a little fun.  Kevin drove and Jess borrowed a life jacket for Sophie from the owners and off we went!  I am so glad we did ~ it was a ton of fun and Sophie had the time of her life!!!  She was all smiles the entire time (well almost) :)  There is a photo in the slideshow that will prove what a star she was ~ my little model playing to the camera!!  It was a great day with the family and we have memories (and pictures) to last us a lifetime!

After the day at the lake, which was also Chris' birthday, we went to watch his baseball game.  Due to a massive, and perhaps well deserved, meltdown, Kevin, Sophie, Brooke (our resident babysitter!) and I headed back home to put Sophie to bed for the evening.  We missed the grand slam that won Chris' team the game :( but I am glad we got Sophie home to relax from her long day.  By the way, she slept like a CHAMP!

Thursday morning Jess' mom took family pictures out by the lake.  Since it was Brooke's birthday, Kevin and I took her and Michael to see Eclipse.  It was the last day it was showing in that particular theater and it was nice to be able to spend some time with our niece and nephew.  Sophie got to bond with her Aunt Jess ~ of course, the minute we hit the driveway I ran to my sweet baby!  Aunt Jess and Sophie were outside (the ultimate cry resolution for my child).  There was a massive birthday party planned for that evening so we did some prep work and then the people started to arrive ~ and wow, at the people!  What a crowd!  Sophie had decided to randomly switch back to Texas time that evening and so she and I stayed out in the travel trailer for most of the evening.  She fell asleep and then eventually so did I :)  I heard the party was a blast though!

Friday morning, also Vicki's birthday (now do you see why there was a massive birthday party?!), was our day to head to San Francisco, so we had an early start to pack and get ready to head out.  We left around 9:45ish and headed toward my sister's.  And that would begin California Episode 3!

Geez, I am exhausted just typing all of this...no wonder we were beyond tired by the time we got back to Texas :)

California Episode 1 ~ Leaving on a Jetplane

Well, we did it!  We embarked on our first vacation as a family of three!!!  I really wanted Sophie to meet her California family while she was still young ~ to meet her aunts and uncles, to play with her cousins (well, her version of play which is pretty much coo, blow bubbles, and stare ~ but play nonetheless), and simply to meet even more people who think she is truly one special little bumble bee :)  Yes, I do realize that she will remember absolutely nothing about this vacation, but for us they are memories to be cherished forever.

Once I hit that confirmation button on Continental's website a couple months ago, I knew there was simply no turning back.  Either we were really brave parents or really stupid ones to travel with a three month old.  Turns out, Sophie did fantastic on the flights.  Yes, we had a few minutes of crying both flights but only for a total of about ten minutes each way.  For a three and a half our flight, I consider that a success. Plus, the flight home was delayed on the tarmac in San Francisco for thirty minutes and then rerouted due to weather a number of times.  So what was three and a half hours, turned into four and a half hours ~ heck, I was ready to meltdown so I couldn't really blame her when she had a mini-meltdown at 6:15pm.  We were supposed to be on the ground already!  We got several comments about how well behaved she was, so I guess we can chalk our first attempt at air travel a true success story.  Go Sophie :)

Also, thank you Holly for giving such wonderful "how to get through security and travel with an infant" advice!  We actually made it through security without any major hiccups  :)

Here are a couple of pictures from our sweet girl's first plane experience!

               Best $6 We Spent the Whole Trip!

   Wow Mommy!  They have cartoons way up here!

                                           Naptime during landing!  What a morning!!!